The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-27
QUAKER JOHN in PARIS
WANAMAKER TO OPEN A BIG STORE
IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL.
VIII Compete with the World-Famous
Louvre, whose Business Has
Reachcd $2O,OOO,OOO.
New York Herald.

New York Herald.
How great fortunes are made is always
a. subject of interest TO the world The
Matin, of Paris, has begun the publication
of a series of articles describing how men
have become rich. The first Of the series
tells the story of NJ. Chauchard. the founder
of the great department store managed by
the Societe du Louvre. This description OF
NJ. Chauchard's methods and his success is
especially interesting at this time, because
II is announced on good authority that
John Wanamaker is about to duplicate in
Paris his great department stores in this
city and in Philadelphia. In view of this
rumored enterprise a description of French
methods. as contrasted with American. is
especially timely.
The Americans who are certainly practi-
cal and excellent judges in commercial af-
fairs" SAYS the Matin, have christened NJ.
Chauchard The Napoleon of Trade Why
should this fiattering title be applied to
NJ. Chauchard rather than to the late NJ.
Boucicault, for instance? It is because.
while the Americans have been impressed
by the results obtained by the founder OF
the Louvre, they admire especially the way
in which he triumphed over difficulties In
achieving his commercial victories. The
company that he founded has a capital of
81 200, 900, which has sufficed to build up in
all its branches the magnificent store in
the Rue de Rivoli. The A,4oo.ooo which ap-
pears at the top of the Louvre circulars is
only a juggle of figures. 1t Is made up or
the legal reserve and of the surplus earned
original capital of $2.20o,000 has never been
increased, and the real estate occupied by
the stores of the Louvre has been paid for
out OF the profits of operation. 1t never
cost the silent partners a centime.
THE idea of creating the Louvre origin
ated with NJ Chauchard. 1t is a question,
however, whether in his widest dreams he
ever hoped to attain such marvellous re-
suits. M. Chauchard entered business upon
graduating from Henry Nv College. where
the Due d'Aumale and Emile Angler were
his felow-students AT that time the great
shops were La Belle Fernuere. La Vile de
and LIE Pauvre Diable. He entered the last.
1t was a modest debut The young shop
man actually did not start even. 1t cost him
500 TO be initiated into the mysteries OF the
trade The shops for fancy goods could not
be compared with bazaars. Their shelves
could be easily counted and their FURNISH
ing was Tar from luXurlOuS. lHe tApcIlui-
ture of his so luis gave no special .privi-
leges to the ambitious clerk. Just as In the
army all are equal in the performance or
duty SO in the shops nd all the eeEk sn sep
themselves to prosaic tasks, broom ana
duster in hand.
HIS FIRST SALARY.
"At the end of his apprenticeship the
graduate Of Henry w College was deemed
worthy to earn his S. a month. Every year
his salary was raised $50. He went through
the routine. became an assistant shelf
clerk, then chief shelf clerk, or buyer. at
$40 month. This was marshars baton. To
be sure, it was not gilded, and the soldiers
of the first empire certainly dreamed OF
more magnificent ones. The five chiefs OF
the Pauvre Diable slept in an obscure re-
treat, which was reached by narrow hall.
This was not likely to satisfy an ambitious
young man, but what could he do? There
was nothing more for him to hope for in the
shop In such situation two courses were
open to the bold and enterprising, either TO
marry the daughter Of his employer, con-
tinue the traditions of the place and step
into his shoes, or to strike out for himself
with his own money or with the money OF
other men.
M Chauchard chose the latter course. As
he did not finish work until IL o'clock at
night he could not mingle in the society that
is frequented by the rich. He took the bull
by the horns. He resigned his place and
went out to seek his fortune At that mo-
ment Paris had begun to transform herself.
chrysalis was changing to butterfly. Be-
tween the dwelling place OF the ancient
kings and the gallant memories OF the last
century rose the Hotel du Louvre. squar-
ing itself proudly in the Place du Palais
Royal, the Rue de Rivoli, the Rue de
Margeno and the Rue st. Honore. Without
1.-The clerk without a counter stopped
like, every one else before the new building
that was striking a modern note in the very
that a great shop in one corner of the struc-
ture would not be badly located and that
the owners ought to take kindly to the idea
since 1t would add to the life OF the place.
He made inquiries and learned that the
rising palace belonged to the reai-estate
corporation of which M. Emile Pereire was
president. He set his wits at work to find
some means Of getting at M Pereire.
Mime Lepsic. a friend Of the young man s
mother obtained him a letter Of introduc-
ton to NJ. Pereire. He felt himself instinc-
lively on the eve of an event that was to
prove decisive in his life. Would he sue
coed? Half a mocker and half a fatalist,
he resolved to ask professional seer de
went to the celebrated necromancer Ed
mond, in the Rue Fontaine Saint Georges.
with smile on his lips. but with beating
heart. When he came out his bearing had
entirely changed and more than once In art
er years he told his friends of the strange
adventure that had befallen him. The
famous clairvoyant received the young man
mancers of old. After having been informed
of the object OF his visit he went through
some strange formula and announced: You
are about to undertake great enterprise
and you will conduct 1t we'll.
Then he took a pack of cards, manipu-
lated them with the Indispensable words oil
mystery and gave them to the young man to
cut. What was his surprise when the ma
gician said: You have an appointment to.
morrow morning with Hebrew banker
and he showed him the card that had been
cut, which represented a man with white
beard. dressed in a long robe. on which was
printed Hebrew banker
MAKING THE DEAL
Full of confidence. the young man called
upon NJ. Pereire and managed to convince
him that his plan was good. He obtained
the lease Of a small part of the building
measuring 100 meters, in the Rue Saint
Honore, forty-four meters in the Rue d.
Marengo and twenty meters in the Rue d.
Rivoli, the ground floor and the mezzanine
He required funds for the purchase Of stool
and obtained them from dealer. He als'
needed a partner, and his barber. to whom
he conflded the need, introduced him TO I'M
chief of the silk department in the VILE
de Paris. NJ. Heriot. who was tired OF HI
position apd looking for something else
Their partnership contract was signed tina
same evening in cafe, as NJ. Heriot did
not wish to leave his place until he ha'
been assured of another.
THE work OF fitting up the store was de
| layed, so that IL opened at an unfavora b
| time. on July 9. 1850 The summer good
purchased had TO be disposed of at once o
| lost. Though the first results were not Ia
vorable. nevertheless a short time afterwar.
| a capital of 500 900. and with two respon
sihle managers I'M Chauchard and HeriOi