Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-12
Tht Story Teller.
THE RIVAL STORES

| feteT Jones 0du COnuuCleu Guo SIO'
Gerry business in Smithville fer 20 or
more years, with signal success. Dur
ing this period he had had no compe-
tition-nothing had occurred 10 disturb
the tranquility of his business with the
Smithyilleians. At last, young fellow
in the town took it into his head
that the road to fortune was open,
through another store in Smithville,
which, in point of size, inward and
outward appearance, accommodations,
modern improvements and extensive
stock, should eclipse the modest estab-
lishment of frugal Jones.
His paternal parent having, during
lifetime of hard labor, accumulated
quite sum of that article called "fl-
thy lucre," resolved, in parental pride,
to give Bill "boost," as he termed it
and accordingly withdrew from the
savings bank $4,000, and presented
them to the son, who Immediately
invested the sum in a stock of goods
suited to a country grocery, which
were transported to Smithville. The
large quantity of barrels, boxes, bun
dies and bales, marked "Wm. Tuttle,
Esq, Grocer, Smithville," created a
sensation in that place.
On the Saturday following the store
was opened. A dwelling house, direct
ly opposite the establishment of Peter
Jones, had been altered for the purpose.
There were varied opinions expressed
in regard to the rival establishments.
The younger portion of the inhabitants
were of the opinion that Tuttle would
soon "run out" that old fogy Jones /;
while the older portion of the inhabi-
tants kept their counsels and shook
their heads.
There was something of novelty
in having two stores in the place, and
the people aped the metropolitans in
shopping, pricing the goods at both
stores before purchasing.
Now, Peter Jones was by no means
jealous of his young competitor; on
the contrary, he felt degree of in
terest in his welfare, and would have
willingly given him little advice,
from valuable experience; but fearing
to offend, or be misconstrued, he re-
mained silent. For the past year he
had been debating in his mind wheth-
er he had not better retire from busi-
ness, and give place to some younger
man, when the rival store was opened.
Three years passed away, during
which time both parties continued in
business. Tuttle, to gain custom, put
down the prices far below reasonable
and living profit; and as his sole OBJ
ject seemed to be to dispose of his
goods, gave an unlimited credit. Pc
ter Jones, the meantime, continued on
in the even tenor of his way, resolved
in his own mind that no opposition
should cause him to swerve from his
fixed business principles-those on
what he knew successful business
could alone be conducted.
About year after starting in busi-
ness, young Tuttle was married to a
lady whose acquaintance he had form
ed in the city where he purchased his
goods. From his representations, and
the amount of business he was doing,
she felt warranted in extravaganza in
living and dress. To his surprise, he
soon found that the entrance of his
wife into the society of Smithville was
an injury to his business. The jealous
and gossiping class, together with the
staid and frugal, each from motives
kindred to their different dispositions,
began to cut his establishment, and
seek that of Peter Jones but there
was one class that never forsook him
the long-credit customers, with long
deferred payments. Being unsophis-
ticated, in the goodness of his heart,
he feared to offend them, and neither
urged them for payment or discon-
tinuance of trade.
Being of good moral character, and
of good family, he had no trouble in
borrowing money, and by this means
managed to keep stock of goods in
the store. Then again he bought on
credit in the city; and, to his chagrin,
found that there were many articles
which he could not sell as cheap as
Peter Jones, who always bought for
cash.
A panic came-a financial crash
that fairly shook Wall street. 1ndebt-
edness accumulated so fast that the
young merchant saw nothing before
him but ruin. Collection on the bills
due him was but farce. Whichever
way he might turn, he saw no way to
extricate himself.
One of his creditors came up from
the city, to secure his claim. When
he entered the office, the young mer-
chant trembled like guilty schoolboy,
and putting the best face on the mat
ter, he promised to raise the amount in
two hours.
Six hundred dollars in 12O minutes I!
He reckoned the minutes as would
man upon the gallows. Within the
time mentioned he must raise the
amount or have the store closed by the
officer of the law 1t would be great
blow at his pride-be who had held
his head so high.