Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-06
WITHOUT CAPITAL
How the Refusal of a Loan Led
to Success.

How the Refusal Of a Loan Led
to Success.
''In spite of everything 1 can do, 1 am
still penniless," and Ralph Gorden
buried his face in his hands.
Ralph had sense, but he lacked CAPT
tai Capital and he would have been
an assured success. For this purpose
he would consult Mr.. Horton, the
banker.
Good evening, Ralph" said the
elderly gentleman, looking over his
gold bowed glasses and exhibiting a
very cordial and patroniziRg manner.
Ralph was always respectful, and if
you will study his career you will read
lily perceive how important a part po-
likeness played in his social and bust
ness relations.
Il wish to engage in business"
Have you capital?"
mo, sir; but"
ABR
"If could secure a loan from you l
could amass a for"
81 beg your pardon. 1 never lend
money without real estate security"
The answer was decisive.
First failures have been the sue
cesses of many, Ralph. Go try"
Ralph was not discouraged. But on
the following morning, when the sun
rose in his old time glory, the birds
sang their wild familiar songs and
business resumed its wonted clamor,
he took little note as he hurried aleng
the leading thoroughfare of the city.
"Win you lend me one thousand dol
lars to set myself up in business?" he
inquired of Mr.. Simpson, one Of the
prominent men of the place.
What security"
None. I want it as favor"
Would be glad to accommodate you,
Mr.. Gorden, but business men don't do
business in that way"
Receiving this all kindly, he sailed
cut and entered the private family of
an esteemed friend.
mir. Garten, can negotiate a loan
of one Thousand dollars?"
For your sake must refuse"
Ralph was turning; yet, notice that
the placid equanimity of his temper
remained inviolate. If he possessed no
capital, he had suavity and forbear-
ance in happy abundance.
BE seated, Ralph" continued this
practical man, land l will endeavof to
show you how AN your frie@d in
not being your friend. That sounds q
trifle paradoxical But, listen, for
you are in no hurry. If you are in
From what have heard and seen my
self you appear to have an abnormal
feeling that you cannot succeed unless
You have capital Now, If you will in
vestigate the matter statistically you
VIII find that nine hundred and ninety
men out of every thousand who have
made a success of business had abso-
lutely nothing to start with"
"Yes, sir"
'And if you will take the trsubIe to
pursue your investigation you will find
that a large percentage of business
failures are directly traceable to too
much assistance at the start"
Ralph Gordon was meeting new sur
prises.
Now for your own benefit. will
not lend you a red cent"
Ralph's countsnance fell. And vet
he had sufficient sense to understand
that all the advice received emanated
from the l1indest business motives
But, Ralph, IA tell you what I will
do. You strike right out In some direc-
ton, and if you fail, after an honest
trial, you will not be compelled to re-
pay an old debt"
by George, that's so!"
"And, furthermore, will make this
proposition. If you will succeed with
out capital, viii give you one thousand
dollars!'
Ralph was dumfounded.
81 believe you are right" and Ralph
returned to the street.
On his way through the chief places
of business, he said to himself:
Wonder how all these men became
so rich!' lie hesitated. 81 will ask
them
He knew Bangs, Barton & Co.
Il beg your pardon, gentlemen; may
| ask you how you became so rich?"
by being penniless at the start"
He also knew the firm of Aldrich,
Page & Co., by reputation.
What made you so rich, gentle
menP''
by being poor at the start, and not
a cents worth of credit"
Walker & Co. had Just failed; and
for the matter of that they had been
partial failures all along, They had
had plenty of money to start with
$50, So" and Ralph walked thought
fully along. Then l am the. capital
I?' and returning home, he rolled up
his sleeves, so to speak, and went to
work.
People always said that Ralph was a
worker and industrious ''But, ahr'
exclaimed the old heads, ''he can earn
money, but he cannot keep it,"
These same people were soon sur
prised, however. TO see a little, UMPIRE 4
tentious corner grocery started with
Ralph as sole proprietor.
ut wasn't much.' some said, 'but
It was n beginning. beginRingl''
Curious people csmc in Men with
'inquiriug eyes sica With their