The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-06-23
eOAIA<@A &c
4 HOW BROTHER JONATHAN
GOT FROn UNDER.
@D%@A<I
story by One OF Uncle samuers Sons.

the sun, stands IS lively and prosper
GUS a city as there is in the universe
The World.
It was first settled some thousands
daS years ago and has been gradually
growing in population, culture and
wealth-with an occasional setback, as
in the time OF Noah-and is now
great commercial and social center, as
wen as the home of more philanthro-
pists and scoundrels, wise men and
fools. than any other town between
heaven and the place that isn't on
the map.
When this history opens the business
was dominated by four great houses.
conspicuous among their commercial
brethren for immense trade and the
tremendous stocks they carried, not all
the business was done by them, but
the pace was set. and when they
agreed on any proposition the smaller
concerns fell into line.
Tie giants did not always agree,
however.
Rivalry was pretty sharp, and while
consultations on prices, credits and
matters of mutual concern were fire.
quent, each stood ready to give the
others the worst of it in j deal when
opportunity offered.
John Bull. Fritz Germania Pier La
Franz and L. :. America. John Bull
fsskSDa cen in trade longest and his bust
neHfyyas we'll eSta bliShed, although not
growing like some of the others. He
had become very rich, and carried an
immense stock and was always able to
take advantage Of the markets; besides
ne was a lOng-headed old chap who
knew his own interests and how TO
take care of them.
His great wealth and long business
experience made him much looked up
10 and gave a large influence among
smaller concerns. which was always
turned to his own advantage.
Across the canal from this big eS-
adjustment was the store of Pier La
FFiE2. Pier had also been in business
a good while and had d large and
growing trade. Some years before, he
was badly beaten in d law suit with
old man Germania-grandfathe Of the
present head of the hOuSe-that Grip
pied the little Frenchman somewhat.
But he was plucky, pulled himself to-
Sether paid the judgment and was
soon giving his old enemy all the COM
petition he needed.
Being bright, energetic. accommO-
dating and economical, NJ La Franz
was entirely able to look out for him
self.
A few doors down the street was the
mammoth warehouse of Germania. He
inherited The business from his grand
father, and while he hadn't added to it
much had held it together
y He was full Of energy and push and
had d firm belief in his own ability but
was secretly OF opinion that old man
Bull knew more than all the other
fellows put together, and was largely
influenced by that belief.
The fourth of the quaTtette Young
America, an alert wide awake fellow,
Id
those qualities than because of his
youth. F1thGugh he was not
an old man by any means, still the
large family by which he was sur
rounded would rather indicate he was
no spring chicken.
He had married Column. Republic,
as good. bright and pretty a girl as
ever ,iIfd, when a mere boy. anI pro-
cetS.l TO take the Biblical advice to
incfTle AID multiply. Old man Bull
was ms uncle, but had made a fuss
over rs marriage, and the young fell
low struck out for himself. He
opened a little store in a western sub
urb, and both himself and wife
worked like beavers to build up
trade. Fortunately the town built out
their way. Their energy ana pluck
told, and at the time this history
commences, America-or ''Prother
Jonathan" as he was frequently
cailed-had about the best, If not the
best trade in the city, and besides, had
accumulated considerable outside
property, although he was somewhat
in debt The uncle and nephew had
come TO be on fairly friendly terms,
but the Old man never forgave the
marriage.
These stores were ell what are called
''geAe raI stores" that is, they bought
a1d sold almost anything that come
kSong, while each had particular lines
eShich he pushed.
From the first settlement of the
World to a few years ago, bushel and
Peck measures We're the standards
for everything that had to be meas
ured; gallons, quarts and pints were
also used as matters of convenience,
bnt bushels and pecks were standards,
and one or the other was required in
making tenders and whenever de-
manded.
The peck held one-fourth as much
as d bushel. and was in more universal
use, lecause more convenient, except
when bulky articles were being ham
died, but both were standards.
MIR. Bull, during his long career.
had accumulated a large number of
buskel measures, many more than he
rad of pecks, and more than he had
use for in his business. As they were
matie from very expensive and scarce
timber, small dealers frequently
re2ted from Mr.. Bulls surplus stock,
fnaed of buying, and even the large
store keepers got to doing the same
TO Help out, when more than the usual
quantity were needed
Mr.. Bull always had them on hand,
and after a time renting buShel meas
ures got TO be quite an important part
OF his business.
When this haG been going on quite
2 while L occurred TO the shrewd old
fellow thu [ L he could get the store
keepers generally to discard all but
bushel measures, he could make big
thing out Of his rentals. So he had his
clerks put away all others, and in
sisted that everything bought or sold
st his store must be measured in
bushels
He persuaded Germaria to do the
same. ana tried to get La Franz and
America La Franz said: mo, Mr.
Bull. l am not going to throw away
nv peck measures. 1 need them quite
as much as 1 do my bushels. You and
I are fixed quite differently. You are
overstocked on bushels and have
them to rent 1 have about what L
need of each, and find ii more col-
venient TO use both. If you want to
use nothing but bushels, go ahead and
co il, and 1 will use them in my deal
ilgs with you, but for the most of my
customers the peck is better.
America said he could see no reason
why he should discard a convenient