Year: 1868

About two weeks ago solid looking
gentleman, with clerkly air and bus
iness habits, arrived in this city from
New York, accompanied by his good


lady. His visit was specially directed


TO a young, high-tOned, and popular


merchant who lately advertised in the
New York papers for a partner with


capital to engage in lucrative branch
of business. There was an air about


the new conner peculiarly attractive,


a frankneSs of purpose, a scorn of all
show and sham, devotion TO strict


Office habits, and an exhibition of


Guickness and aptitudewell calculated


to impress even the most wary. He


stated to our young friend, in the short
est and most business-like terms, that


he was out of employment, had seen


the advertisement, examined the ref


erences and enterprise, liked it, con-


cluded TO go in, and-here he was.


Perhaps his capital was too limited,


but it was all he had, consisted of
| thirty-five thousand dollars, already


due, gilt-edges, etc, and-there it was.


If upon reflection our friend thought
they could make terms, why so; if on


reflection he thought differently, why


so, also; no hurry, he would call again


tomorrow, and-gOod morning. The


next days sun brought, punctual to


the appointed time, the commercial
candidate. Victim had decided to en-
tertain the proposition favorably.


Here again the systematic merchant
shone forth. OF course a proper
knowledge of each others private and


commercial standing was the main


necessity. He had already satisfied


himself upon those points with regard
| to mis- New Orleans friend before he
packed a shirt TO come here-trust
him for that-he now begged leave to
refer to his own credentials and-tbere
they were in the shape of about fifty
| letters, all speaking in the highest


terms of the bearer, and all stamped
with the printed headings of the
writer's firms, some of which were
among the most prominent in New
York city. As if these were not
enough, he proceeded to pile Pelion
on Ossa by the production of one from
Gov. FentOn, of New York, exhibit
ing the closest intimacy with that
official, and a confidence in his integ-


rity, capacity and honesty, rather rare
for the diamond cut diamond age we
live in. The greatest apparent latitude


was allowed for the detection of inn


posture, suppOsing any existed, but so
neatly and unblushinglyw was the game


played that not the least suspicion was
awakened either in the mind of the
victim nor the older and more disin-


terested heads, whom he very rightly


consulted. Unlike the course OF true


love. this union ran smooth; the bans


were published under the usual CO.


partnership head an expensive office
was engaged in opposition to the
younger and more prudent merchant,


whose ideas of economy were further
outraged by New York insisting up
on having the Office carpeted. He in
tended TO introduce ''new wrinkles"
into business here; he saw no reason


why he shouldn't be comfortable


He did introduce new wrinkles, and
became decidedly comfortable, as fol-


lows: After a day or two elapsed he


manifested his readiness TO call at the


bank and arrange the financial basis
of his business. Thither the partners


went the letters were here exhibited
anew, the bills of exchange sealed and


deposited. he not desiring to use them


until trade had fairly commenced.


The president was equally charmed


with him. Thoroughly posted upon


the mysteries of finance, rs he was


with the details of trade; personally
acquainted with some of the corre


spondents of the bank, as well as with


the nature of its business, he speedily
established a confidence in the mind
of the astute financier, far more profit
able, as afterward proved, than that


with the young merchant. Before
leaving he showed letter from New
York firm of well known standing, re-
uuesting the President in question TO
pay for them the fifteen thousand dol
lar note, if requested by the bearer,
and draw at sight, with commissions
and exchange, as usual. He stated


that he might probably require the
money in few days, and would they |
accommodate him, or rather his New