The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-09
SLOW AND SURE.

James Lingard, an old and solid city
merchant, had in his employ two neph-
ews, who had every opportunity of study
ing in the counting room the secret of a
successful business career. These were
John Warren and Stephen Grey. Both
attained the age of 25 the same year, and
both on the first of May were summoned
into Mr.. Lingard's presence. He thus
addressed them:
"You have been in my employ eight
years; you know how my business is
conducted, and Iconsider you competent
to manage a 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 $4,000. This
will supply you with a sufficient basis
for embarking in business. With econo-
my in your personal expenses, and pru-
dent and judicious management, you
will succeed. Success to your
This was q long speech for the old
merchant, yet after moments pause he
added:
81 have one thing more to say. This
is all purpose to do for you. You have
five times the capital 1 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 modest
shop at a moderate rent, and determined
to do business on cash basis, contenting
himself with such stock as his own
capital would buy. He made his pur-
chases judiciously, and overlooked every
detail of his business personally.
Stephen Grey had larger ideas. He
hired a shop at three times the rent,
pushed his credit to the utmost, and
made a great show at the outset
Both young men were engaged, and
both soon married. Here, again, differ
ence was manifested.
John Warren hired a small, neat cot
tage just out of London, and furnished
it in cheap, inexpensive manner. One
servant only was employed, who together
with a boy to run errands, was found
sufficient for a small establishment. But
Stephen Grey turned up his nose at the
cottage, and hired a city house at four
times the rent, which, of course, re-
quired more servants and larger scale
of expenditure.
"I'm not going to live like q pauper,"
he said loftily.
But can you afford such a house,
Stephen" asked his cousin.
My business profits will be much
greater than yours" he answered. 81
begin where you will be five years
hence"
"Perhaps so," said John shrewdly,
"but where will you be then?"
Don't fear for me" said Stephen con-
fidently; I'm ashamed of you for not
showing more enterprise. You've i'm
INJURED yourself in an obscure shop,
where you will do next to no business"
Il don't know about that. I'd rather
be slow and sure. It's better to hug the
shore than get wrecked in mid-ocean."
perhaps so, but l know l am on the
way to fortune. Ten years from now
shall have turned my five thousand
pounds into hundred thousand, while
you may possibly have fifteen"
81 see you are not to be convinced"
Nor you, suppose"
"No, my motto is, slow and sure.'"
"And mine, nothing venture, nothing
have"
"Well, the future can alone decide
which of us is right"
So the two cousins separated.
l am bound to confess, though nv
own feeling is that John was right, that
circumstances seemed to Justify Ste
phen in his course. 1t so happened that
the particular classes of goods of which
he had bought so largely, rose rapidly,
owing to state of thiags which needn't
be explained, and as his stock was
large, his profits were also very large.
Indeed, notwithstanding his personal ex-
penses were three times as great as his
cousins, his balance sheet showed. at
the end of the year, a clear profit of
-, 900. In other words, he had doubled
ms capital, aid Was iio=7 worth 10000.
ONAiiA PAOAlbCu, w. ny lu0 rise, DuC
on account of the more limited extent of
his business, advanced to but $4,000.
But with this he was we'll pleased, and
counted himself fortunate.
"How about our different matters?
said Stephen one day about this time, in
rather an exulting tone, to his cousin.
II have no reason to complain of mine"
said John, lit has served me WELL"
"But not so well as mine"
"lt is hardly time to feel sure of that
yet" said John.
Il don't agree with you. shall keep
on as have begun. Indeed, shall ex-
tend my operations. am in treaty for
a larger store, and"-
'For larger store?" exclaimed John,
Yes; it may suit you to poke along at
snail's pace, but boast a little more
enterprise.
"You can't expect things will always