Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-07-17
SLOW AND SURE.
This Was the Watch-Word of the
Successful Young Man.

/ merchant, nad IN ms employ TWO nepn-
ews, who had every opportunity OF
studying in his counting-room the secret
| OF a successful business career. These
we're John Warren and Stephen Grey
Both attained the age of twenty-five the
same year, and both on the first of May
| were summoned into Mr.. Lingard S pres
ence. He thus addressed them
"You have each been in my employ
eight years; you know how my business
is conducted and | consider you compe-
tent 70 manage business of your own.
Though | should be glad to retain you
longer as clerks, will not stand in the
way Of your advancement. l have
placed to the credit of each Of you at my
bankers the sum of five thousand
pounds. This will supply YOU with SUI
hcient basis for embarking in bust
ness. With economy in your personal
expenses, and prudent and judicious
management, you will succeed. Success
to you"
This was long speech for the old
merchant, yet, after moments pause,
he added:
Il have one thing more to say. This
Is all purpose to do for you. You have
five times the capital l started with, and
with it you must sink or swim. You
have my best hopes and wishes, but need
look for no further pecuniary aid"
His nephews thanked him heartily
and at once took measures to go into
business. John Warren secured a
modest shop at moderate rent, and de-
sermined to do business on a cash basis,
contenting himself with such a stock as
his own capital would buy He made
his purchases judiciously. and over
looked every detail OF his business per-
sonally.
Stephen Grey had larger ideas. He
hired shop at three times the rent,
pushed his credit to the utmost, and
made great show at the outset.
Both young men were engaged and
both soon married Here. again diff
ference was manifested.
John Warren hired a small, neat cot
tage just out Of London. and furnished
it in a cheap, inexpensive manner. one
servant only was employed, who.
together with a boy to run errands was
found sufficient for small establish
ment But stephen Grey turned up his
nose at the cottage, and hired city
house at four times the rent. which, Of
course. required more servants and
larger scale Of expenditure.
I'm not going to live like pauper,"
he said. loftilF.
But can you afford such a house,
Stephen?" asked his cousin.
MY business profits viii be much
greater than yours he answered II
begin where you viii be five years
hence"
Perhaps 50. said John, shrewdly;
''but where will YOU be them
Don't fear for me, said Stephen,
confidently: I'm ashamed OF you for
not showing more enterprise. You've
immured Yourself in an obscure shop,
where you will do next to no business
II don't know about that Id rather
be slow and sure. It's better TO hug the
shore than get wrecked in mid ocean
Perhaps 50. but | know am on the
way TO fortune Ten years from now /
shall have turned nay five thousand
pounds into hundred thousand, while
you may possibly have fifteen
Il see you are not 70 be convinced.
Nor you, suppose"
mo, my motto IS slow and sure, -
And mine nothing venture, moth
ing have.
well. the future can alone decide
which OF US is right"
So the two cousins separated
| am bound to confess, though my own
! feeling is that John was right, that cir
cumstances seemed to Justify stephen
in his course. 1t 50 happened that the
particular classes Of goods Of which he
] had bought 50 largely, rose rapidly,
owing 70 a state Of things which needn't
be explained and as his stock was large.
! his profits were also very large. Indeed.
| Notwithstanding his personal expenses
we're three times as great as his cousins,
his balance sheet showed. at the end Of
the year clean profit of five thousand
pounds. In other words he had doubled
his capital, and was now worth ten
thousand pounds. John had profted,
| TOO, by the rise hut on account of the
more limited extent Of his business ad-
| vanced to but six thousand pounds But
with this he was Well pleased and
counted himself fortunate
How about our different uattcrs9'
said stephen one day about this time. in
rather an exulting tone. to his cousin
Il have no reason 20 complain OF
mine" said John. 1T has served me
we'll.
But not So we'll as mine
1T IS hardly time to feel sure Of that
yet" SAID John.
y don't agree wj:h you. shall keep
on as have begun. Indeed | shall ex-
tend my operations | am in trea.y for
! 8 larger store, and"