Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-09
A BOLD BEGINNING.
How Two Young Men without Capt.
tai Butit Tn "A Big business.

A New York special says: The sudden
liquidation of the great business Of Pot
tier & Stymus, whose decorative furni-
ture was before the disastrous fire OF
Yesterday feature Of Fifth avenue,
astonished everybody except those who
know the wealth Of the two men and
their desire to get out Of active pursuits.
The firms history is that OF the new
craze of New York millionaireism
for wondrously beautiful dwellings.
August Potter and William Z. Stymus
were clerks in an interior embellish-
ment and furnishing concern owned bys
peculiar old frenchman. who was at the
time the leading decorator in New York
city. he was an artist, and thought
more Of making one aesthetic chair than
of closing the most profitable bargain.
Potter was an artistic man, and the old
Frenchman, in his better moods, adj
mitted that his clerk was his equal in
getting up beautiful designs and combl-
nations OF materials. Stymus was more
of an enterprising businessman. Stymus
heard that wealthy Wall-street broker
meant to build a residence that would
open the eyes OF New Workers. 1t was
said that money was no object, and he
was only waiting TO select favorable
site. Stymus evolved plan which, even
in these days OF rushing business enter
prise, would be considered bold. He
ana Potter spent every night for a week
getting their scheme into perfect shape.
One morning Stymus, who had secured
days vacation, went to real estate
agent and bargained for the option on
one OF tue most desirable building lots
in the fashionable section, and only the
large figure placed upon it had caused it
to remain empty. stymus had not five
dollarsabout his clothes, but he talked as
though able 10 pay cash on the spot. He
got low figure on 1t and agreed to give
his decision in a few days. An hour
later he walked into the Office of the
Wall-street broker with roll of paper
under his arm.
81 have heard" said Stymus, una
dashed, that you intend to build a
handsome residence. If that is the case,
| am prepared to show you the plans OF
what will be the first house in New York,
with the most artistic decorations and
the most elegant furniture. What is
more, am ready to put that house on
the best site in the city. and to do the
entire work twenty-five per cent. cheaper
than anybody else in the United States. y
The broker became interested. de
looked with unconcealed delight upon
the plans for a house that Stymus had
secured from an architect and designs
for the furniture and decorations.
"l'll tell you what" said Stymus in
conclusion, 81 am just starting into
business with a friend, and we are both
desirons OF making a reputation. If you
are satisfied with these designs, end will
give us your order, we will buy the ground,
build the house, furnish and decorate it
completely, and we will not ask you to
paw one dollar until all is done satsfac-
torily. All that We will ask now is your
written order.
"What will be the cost fnally?"
asked the broker, pleased with the young
mans nerve and confidence.
"A quarter of a million dollars, was
the reply.
That was large sum IN those days,
and the broker was a little staggered.
he agreed to consider the proposition.
A week later the bargain was ratified,
and the young men started in business
for themselves. They had 40 capital,
but their order gave to them plenty
of credit. They carried out their agree
ment to the letter, and when the
residence was completed it was surpass'
ingly beautiful. Everything except the
crockery and kitchen utensils was pro-
yided, even down to the linen. The
young men made % per cent
net profit out Ct the Job nevertheless,
and this capital enabled them to go on
and get rich before competition came.
They are millionaires.