Year: 1859

passed through the gate which led out the
little shrubbery--you recolect the place,
James, for you spent many jovial day at
our house when we were lads-I was attract
ed by the beautiful appearance of hop
vine which twined lightly around sapling
hard by. l had watched its growth, and
now, as its flowers trembled in the soft wind,
paused to admire it before passed on my
way. Before returned in the evening, l
had made arrangements for becoming
partner in the great house of Stanley & Co.,
and my little capital was, / may say, in my
hands, ready to reinvest.


Any person would suppose that, under
such circumstances, / should be too much
absorbed in meditating on my commercial
prospects to notice small external objects.
But such was not the case. AS usual, | was
{ all eyes, and when I reached the little
shrubbery gate, noticed that the plant
which in the morning looked so beautiful,
was now shrunken, and appeared as though
scorched and withered. Curious to know
the cause, went Immediately to the library
and took down a work which would, [
thought, enlighten me. In it found
description of what is termed the hop
blight, and, on comparing my own expert
ence with it, l could scarcely doubt that my
favorite plant had been suddenly struck with
the disease. Still, was not quite satisfied !;
so consulted the gardener, who happened
to be at work on the lawn. He shook his
head when he saw the vine. 1t is the blight
sure enough said be. very few hops will
be there this year. 1t comes this way, and
covers great extent of country all at once,
just as though fame passed over it,"


"'Then you think said l, the crop will
be spoiled ?


"'Not bit of doubt of that, SIR


"'That will do thank you. felt anx.
ious to know what had spoiled my vine so
suddenly


"The man returned to his work, and I,
never waiting for dinner, hurried back to
town, to purchase every pocket of hops
could lay hold on. 1t was desperate game,
for risked every farthing pressel, but no
more. Hops were then particularly cheap,
for the preceding year had been one of re-
markable plenty, and few hours before
began to buy there was as good a prospect
for the coming season. Thanks to my being
all eyes, was first in the field. I made
no confdant-I did not even tell Nelly
what was doing. When old Stanley al
luded to the partnership, quietly requested
permission to reconsider the matter. His
face told that he deemed me fool, for his
offer was certainly thing to jump at, and
be informed Nelly, in my presence, and with
perceptible sneer, that was considering
whether partnership with him would OF
would not be advisable. The dear girl
herself seemed almost hurt about it but l
whispered to her that she must trust me
entirely, and she said no more. Nelly had
wonderful faith 10 my infallibility then. 1t
would have been great comfort to me to
tell her all about that venture of mine, for
1 grew quite haggard with keeping it to
myself. And how watched that solitary
plant If [ saw the least signs of amend.
ment in its appearance, I trembled and
the more the leaves dropped, the more did
my spirits rise. 1 was like fellow by the
sick bed of one from whom he expects a
rich legacy. You see embarked notspnly
my cash, but all my future prospects ID this
one venture. If I lost the money, I knew !
should be sure to lose Nelly also. The
successful speculator is fated as shrewd
man, and his fellows talk of his talent fol
business the unlucky is stigmatized as a
gambler and mailman.


"But my anxieties did not last long
The certainty of failure in the crop Of
hops became known, and there was an out
cry in the market. Nobody knew where
all the hops had gone to. The brewers
calculating on diminished prices, had but
few in hand when the blight came, and now
they eagerly sought to increase their stock.
You will guess how 1 held back, and then
sent in my precious commodity in small
quantities, and how my capital quadrupled
by the transaction"


81 see it all now," interrupted I
"you -


"Stop and let me finish. Don't be rude
and spoil my story; it is nearly done
When had parted with my last parcel Of
hops, and found myself the possessor ol
twelve instead of three thousand pounds, I
marched boldly into old Stanley's office.


al want to speak to you about the
partnership you were good enough to pro.
pose" said l.


g. So you think of trusting your fortune
in the concern ?"


81 took no notice of the implied taunt
but merely answered ;"


"' Not exactly the amount at frs. pro-
posed.'"


I quite enjoyed the misunderstanding
Tor saw he thOnUht 7 On1v uiohod +o No.,
ture part of my cash, since he told me
very coldly 1 had better retain the whole,
as be should object to having anything to
do with such very trihing matter"


"'YOu are under mistake. Mr.. STANLEY
I answered. wish to add larger. NOT a
smaller, amount to the capital of the firm.
I have nine thousand pounds, the result of
my first mercantile venture, to add to the
three I possessed short time back and