The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-08-01
WITHOUT CAPITAL.
How the Refusal Of a Loan Led
to Success.

to Success.
SIN spite of everything can do, / am
still penniless," and Ralph Gorden
buried his face in his hands.
Ralph had sense, but he lacked capi-
tai. CAPITAL and he would have been
an assured success. For this purpose
he would consult Mr.. Horten, the
banker.
Good evening, Ralph" said the
elderly gentleman, looking over his
gold bowed glasses and exhibiting a
very cordial and patronizing manner.
Ralph was always respectful, and if
you will study his career you will read
lily perceive how important q part po-
likeness played in his social and bust
ness relations.
81 wish to engage in business"
'Have you capital?"
''No, sir; but"
"Ah!'
''If 1 could secure loan from you l
could amass a for"
81 beg your pardon. 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 it's wonted clamor,
he took little note as he hurried along
the leading thoroughfare of the city.
"Will 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. want it as a favor"
would be glad 10 accommodate you,
Mr.. Gorden, but business men don't do
business in that way"
Receiving this all kindly, he sailed
out and entered the private family of
an esteemed friend.
''Mr. Garten, can 1 negotiate 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 1 will endeavor to
show you how am your friend in
not being your friend. That sounds
trifie paradoxical. But listen, for
you are in no hurry. If you are in
hurry you will not succeed anyway.
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
will find that nine hundred and ninety
men out of every Thousand who have
made success of business had abso-
lutely nothing to start with"
Eyes, SIR"
"And if you will take the trouble to
pursue your investigation you will find
that large percentage of business
failures are directly traceable to too
much assistance at the start"
Ralph Gorden was meeting new sur
prises.
''Now for your own benefit, 1 will
not lend you red cent"
Ralph's countenance fell. And yet
he had sufficient sense to understand
that all the advice received emanated
from the kindest business motives.
"But, Ralph, I'll tell you what will
do You strike right out in some direc-
tion, and if you fail, after an honest
trial, you will not be compelled to re-
pay an old debt"
''By George, that's sol"
"And, furthermore, will make this
proposition. If you will succeed with
out capital, will give you one thousand
dollars"
Ralph was dumfounded.
II 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!'' He hesitated. 81 will ask
them"
He knew Bangs, Barton &C. Co.
81 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 Sc Co., by reputation.
what made you SO rich, gentle
men?"
"By being poor at the start, and not
a cents worth of credit"
Walker e. 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 am the capltall
r. 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, abr
exclaimed the old heads, she can earn
money, but he cannot keep iti'
These same people were soon sur
prised, however, to see little, unpre-
tentious corner grocery started, with
Ralph as sole proprietor.
''It wasn't much" some said, "but
it was beginning, beginning!'
Curious people came in. Men with
''inquiring eyes" Men with their
arms thrust in eadaverous pockets.
some sat on the cracker barrels and