It was a very bright to-morrow in Ned's imagination, as he lay down to
rest; for then he was to accompany Jim and Sam, and was to see the fort,
and old Peter and Major Morris, and perhaps little Susie too; and the
new plan of Jim's was the object of their errand. If the day in Ned's
imagination was brighter than the one which actually dawned upon them,
it must have been a beauty indeed. The sky, the water, and the land
opened in loveliness; the bright blue above was reflected from the
glassy water, and the golden beams, that poured in full glory from the
east, were thrown back by the fading forest in all variety of colors.
This was to Ned a holiday indeed, and his active spirit enjoyed it to
the full; faithfully had he toiled through the long summer days, nor
even thought of relaxation. Now, the summer labors over, sweet was the
rest, and exhilarating the prospect of new scenes and faces, which, with
that morning's dawn, came playing before his view.
Major Morris was not a little pleased, as he listened to Jim's simple
exposition of the plan he had in view; his generous heart rejoiced to
know that what he had already done to aid and stimulate these youths,
had turned to so good account.
'And you say that you have laid by one hundred dollars from your trading
with me this summer, and so you begin to despise your old business? You
wish to find some easier way to make a hundred dollars? Ay, ay--like all
the rest of us.'
'Oh, no, sir--no, sir; we do not think of giving up our garden; we
expect to work at that the same as ever.'
And then Jim explained how he intended to manage, which convinced Major
Morris that the scheme was not only well laid, but included much closer
attention to their work than heretofore. He looked at the boys with deep
interest; the smile, which had played round his lips while speaking to
them, passed away, and his keen black eye turned from one to the other,
as though scrutinizing their very spirits. Sam's honest eye, as black as
the one which was fixed on him, twinkled and turned aside, as the
Major, after surveying the brothers, rested his gaze on him. What he saw
in Sam, or what strange visions passed before him, wherein poor Sam
acted a conspicuous part, may one day be revealed. A sigh at last broke
the spell; he turned towards Jim.
'Your plan, my good fellow, is one which meets my approbation, and any
thing I can do to assist you in it, I will do with pleasure; but you
know from past dealing with me, that my efforts will be merely directed
so as to enable you to help yourselves.'
'You are very kind, sir. I thought your judgment would be safe for us to
follow, and that perhaps you could give me some directions as to
purchases, and therefore I have taken this liberty.'
'Your plan of setting up a small store is a good one; on many accounts:
but you must bear in mind that great attention will be required, both in
purchasing and selling. You will be in danger of losing some of your
profits by waste in retailing; you will also be in danger of losing
goods and profits too, by selling to those who will never pay you; and
you will run some risk in the transportation of your goods, or of your
money, so far by water, although this latter risk can be guarded
against. What I would say to you then is, that this business, although
small at first, will require the most strict attention in all its
details; and I would also say another thing, if I did not fully believe
that all of you have been trained to those correct principles, without
which no man can or ought to rise to honor or prosperity.
'I can assist you by introducing you to a house in the city, where you
will be well dealt with; and as our boat sails to-morrow morning, you
had better remain here, and I will accompany you.'
Ned was ready for a caper; he looked at Sam, and rubbed his hands
together very fast. Sam shook his head, as much as to say, 'Be quiet,
Ned.'
Jim blushed, looked at the boys, and then up at Major Morris.
'I thank you, sir, for your kind offer; but having no idea of being able
to do any thing so soon, have left my money at home.'
'So much the better, then there will be the less risk; I will arrange
for the payment of your goods in the city, the same as if you had your
money with you, and when we return, you can settle with me here.'
Jim was not very clear about this matter; but confiding in Major
Morris, assented to remain, thanking him again for his kind interest.
During this conversation, Peter stood back at some distance, leaning on
his crutches, and chewing a tremendous quid of tobacco with great
diligence, and occasionally smoothing down the end of his queue. Ned,
while listening to the Major, kept an eye on Peter, scanning him from
head to foot. No sooner had the Major withdrawn, than Peter hobbled
towards the boys, who were standing on the steps by their boat, and
making preparations to return; he threw his crutches down, and taking a
seat on the stone coping close beside the boat, listened attentively to
Jim, who was giving directions to Sam and Ned about some small matters
at home, and about their coming for him on his return to the fort.
'I suppose,' said Jim, looking at Peter, 'that I shall be back here by
about three o'clock to-morrow afternoon.'
'Bless your soul! what kind of a kalkelation have you run foul of now?
you are out of your reck'nin' by a whole day at the least. Why you see,
my hearty, you won't start from here 'afore say nine o'clock to-morrow
mornin'; with the wind aft, or a little quaterin', say she goes eight
knots an hour, which is good sailin' for sich kind of craft, it will
take you all of four hours and no balks to git to the landin'; so you
see' (giving his head a bob, and a corresponding motion to his queue)
'you can't be there 'afore one o'clock, no how' (another bob); 'well
then, if the wind is fair to carry you there, you don't think it is
goin' to chop round jist when you're ready to come back, and blow astern
all the way home, do you?'--looking at Jim again.--'No, no; the wind and
weather don't care for nobody; we've got to take 'em, jist as it
happens, and make the most on 'em. So you see, you may jist knock
overboard all your figurin'; it won't do you no good; you've got to stay
one night in the city, at any rate, for the boat never starts till the
next mornin'; and if you've good luck, may be about three o'clock you'll
be in, and may be not.'
Jim was rather puzzled to make out from Peter's reckoning when to tell
the boys to come for him; but Peter, seeing him in doubt, gave his own
directions.
'Here you, Sam, jist harkee; there won't be no need of your bein' here
afore day a'ter to-morrow; then you see, you can jist hoist sail, and
come along easy; no hurry; you be here by three o'clock, plenty time
enough. Now you see, don't make no kalkelations about goin' home that
night, 'kase--you hear me now?--sposin' the wind should take 'em right
dead ahead, they can't get in no how afore six o'clock, and may be not
then, and there's no tellin' when.'
Jim found it a more serious matter, this going to the city, than he had
anticipated. Peter's experience soon convinced him of that; as he could
give no more certain directions to Sam than he had already received, he
must let him go with what he had.
The sail was hoisted; Peter had untied the rope, giving at the same time
a sharp good-natured lecture to Sam, for making his boat fast in such an
unsailor-like manner. Sam took it all in good part, for, in truth, he
had not done the thing; it was some of Ned's handiwork. Jim stood on the
stairs, giving Ned all sorts of directions and injunctions.
'Yes, yes, Jim; I'll see to it, never you fear.'
Off goes the little craft.
'Good-by, Sam; good-by, Ned. Take care of yourselves.'
'Good-by, Jim.'
'Good-by, my hearties; haul in that bow-line, and don't let it drag in
that fashion; and haul your peak taut; you'll have a stiff breeze, but
she'll bear it. Good luck to you.'
Gently the boat turned off, and took the swelling breeze. The boys
looked back, to give a parting nod.
'Oh, Sam, who is that? ain't she a beauty though!--is that Susie? See,
Sam, she is shaking her hand to you.'
Sam made no reply; he touched his hat lightly, as he had seen Peter do
to the Major.
'I tell you what, Sam, I don't wonder you jumped into the water; I would
have jumped, too, if I had been here.'
'I wouldn't be looking round so, Ned.'
'Mustn't I? Well, I'll look ahead then. I thought sister Eller was
pretty--but--but--may be it's the dress though.'
Sam was in no talking mood; he kept his eye steadily fixed on the sail,
which was swelled finely out, and making their boat skim along towards
home to his heart's content; and as Ned received only monosyllables in
reply to his many questions, he soon tired of putting them.
Large cities have their evils, and they are not few. Hither the idle and
the vicious throng, for here are dens to hide them from the public gaze,
and companions to uphold them in their evil courses, and finery enough
to glut their polluted appetite; but with the evils, are many things
that tend to bless society. Here the good man finds many kindred
spirits, too, and like coals to burning coals, they kindle in each other
a warmer glow, and spread around them, in a wide and fervent circle, a
cheering, healthful influence. Here busy industry plies her daily,
nightly task, and meets with large reward, and hangs out her trophies to
the gaze of the vast multitude, urging them on to diligence: here wealth
erects her glittering palace; and here the darkest den of poverty is
found. Here emulation and sympathy have each objects of heart-thrilling
interest, sufficient to awaken all the energies of the jostling throng.
Deeds of charity, which make us proud of our species, are here
originated and carried into execution: and here, too, deeds of horror
are enacted, that make us feel how like the very fiends of hell
sometimes is man.
Excitement, in all its various forms, keeps up a constant whirl; all
feel the influence for good or ill, and onward all are pressing. The
mind of man is tasked, until its energies, too strongly, constantly
impelled, give way, and then the victim droops, and plods along, and
sickens at the strife, and longs to be at rest.
When the first view of the city broke upon the gazing eye of our hero,
he scarcely knew what to make of it. The tall spires running up against
the distant sky; the crowded masts that, like a wintry forest, lined the
shores; the mighty mass of buildings, heaps on heaps, spreading for
miles on either side; the boats of various size and shape crossing and
recrossing, and sweeping by them with the arrow's speed; and as they
neared the land, the busy throng of people hurrying to and fro; the
confused and deafening noise, the smoke and dust, the huge hulks, old
ocean-travellers, that lay fast corded to the strong stout piles; the
long projecting piers, around whose dark-green slippery base the turbid
waters swelled, and beat, and broke--all, all were new to Jim; and in
mute wonder he looked and thought, until their little vessel glided into
her resting-place, between two vast walls of docks.
"Well, James, what do you think of the city?" said Major Morris, coming
up to where he sat at the bow of the boat, and putting his hand kindly
on his shoulder.
"I hardly know, sir; but it seems a very busy place." 'Yes, busy you
may well say, every one is in a hurry here, and we must be so, too, as
we are rather late to-day, and I fear my friend will have left his
store.'
Jim hastened to accompany the Major, who, already on the wharf, was
mingling with the crowd; it took him, however, some little time to learn
how to make haste in a city, and not before he had received a few stout
thumps against some other hurrying mortals, and a few harsh curses as an
awkward country booby. But Jim heeded them not, for the Major walked
fast, and to lose sight of him would be a dilemma indeed, amidst such a
Babel. He twisted this way and that, sometimes running close to the
wall, at others jumping off from the side-walk among the carts, and then
quickly back again, over bales of cotton tumbling from the doors; around
hogsheads of molasses, barrels of flour, puncheons of rum, bars of iron,
old anchors, coils of cable, droves of little, ragged, dirty children,
huddling about empty sugar hogsheads. Verily Jim had a time of it; he
was not naturally one of the hurrying sort. To get around and through
all these obstacles, and to keep his eye on the Major, at the same time,
required more activity than he had been accustomed to use.
After travelling in this way, as Jim fancied, a long distance, he
rejoiced to see the Major make a halt, and enter a large store, the
passage-way of which was blocked up with piles of tea-chests, casks,
bales, boxes, and men. Jim squeezed along behind the Major, who, opening
a glass door, entered a small neat room, where every thing was in
perfect contrast with the confusion without: a large double desk
occupied a considerable portion of the apartment; it was situated
between the two front windows, and covered with fine green cloth; every
thing upon it lay in order; each little paper seemed to be there by
design. The windows were clean, and the glasses on the shelf shone
brightly, and the floor was covered with white sand, and dust and
cobwebs appeared to have no license there. At the desk two young men
were busily employed with immense folios, working away in silence,
occasionally passing a word with each other in a very low voice, and
that only in reference to the work before them. A spell seemed to be
upon Jim as soon as he entered that room; he had never felt so before,
not even when first introduced into the parlor of Mrs. Morris; every
thing wore the appearance of so much exactness, every thing was done and
said in such a calm, thoughtful way, it was so still and orderly, it
seemed to Jim that matters of great moment alone occupied each mind.
Mr. Thomas was a large dealer; hundreds of thousands passed through his
hands every year, and his extensive business was managed by him with
perfect ease, because he had grown into it; unlike too many of modern
times, who, aiming to catch the golden shower, involve themselves in a
complication of difficulties, purchase without judgment, and sell at
random, only anxious that their books shall show, at the end of the
year, a large balance in their favor, whether realized or not.
He had begun in a small way, and gradually increased his business with
his means; never suffering himself to be allured by a tempting
speculation, nor to engage in any undertaking beyond what he could well
manage, he neither worried himself nor his friends. It was a busy place,
though, that store of his; from early dawn until late at night, there
was one continued round of active duty; but extensive as his sales were,
he despised not the most insignificant of his customers, bestowing equal
attention to him who wished to spend his hundred dollars, as to those
who yearly drew from his vast storehouse their tens of thousands. An
upright, manly course he had ever pursued; he was an honest dealer as
well as a wealthy merchant.
Major Morris knew well the man into whose hands he committed our young
merchant; and it required but a few words in private to interest Mr.
Thomas in his welfare, almost as much as he had himself been. The story
of the youth immediately took with him, and Jim's modest and intelligent
look added force to what the Major had related concerning him; and then,
when Major Morris left the office to attend to business of his own
elsewhere, he made Jim take a seat beside him, and with the familiarity
of a friend, drew from his own lips a rehearsal of all he had done, and
what he wished to do; inquiring into all the particulars respecting the
place where he lived. Jim had but a plain and simple story to tell; but
before he had finished, the heart of the merchant was so engaged in his
plan, that he thought of him not as a customer, out of whom he might
honestly make a small gain, but as one whom it would give him great
pleasure to direct and aid. What a priceless jewel is integrity of
heart! and happy is the youth who, trained to virtue, goes forth into
the busy paths of life to act his part. A mild but steady light
illuminates his track; his very countenance is radiant, and his plain,
simple speech, which tells the meaning of his heart, wins every honest
ear, and wakes a chord respondent in each noble soul; he needs no
varnished tale, no flattering words, no cringing bows; a better passport
to the confidence of all he carries with him, in his own honest purpose.
With much patience Mr. Thomas made out a list of such articles as he
thought would be the most saleable, and gave immediate directions to
have them carefully put up. He then opened to Master Jim such a method
of managing business, that he felt almost in a hurry--a thing Jim was
not often guilty of,--to start off and get to work. Jim was not given to
vanity; he had never felt that he had any thing to be proud of, but when
he saw the cart loaded with the different articles intended for him,
neatly marked with his name and place of residence, and when he received
his bill made out in the most particular manner, and receipted by the
clerk with a most significant flourish beneath the signer's name, and
when Mr. Thomas cordially shook his hand, wishing him all success, and
that he might have the pleasure of seeing him soon again, he was highly
gratified, and would not just then have exchanged his place and
prospects for any one he could think of.
Sam and Ned, although somewhat confused by Peter's directions, had
reached the fort a short time before the arrival of Master Jim with his
little cargo. It was a happy meeting between the brothers, for they had
never before been separated for a single night. How Ned stared, when he
saw the boxes, and bags, and barrels with Jim's name upon them! How he
would have shouted, if he dared, but Sam was close by him.
'Keep still, Ned; you know it won't do here.'
'But only to think, Sam, what a grand thing it is--only think, to have a
store, and people buying things, and all that; and you in a great vessel
bringing goods to us--hurra, Sam!'
'Do, for goodness' sake, Ned, stop; what will they think?'
Sam was in great perplexity; he felt that their character was in danger;
but Ned promised that he would keep in, at any rate until they were out
of hearing. Jim was fortunately out of the way, having gone with Major
Morris into the fort, to settle their business matters. Old Peter,
however, was a witness of the scene, and Sam had great respect for
Peter, and feared that he would be horrified at Ned's disregard of the
rules of propriety; but the old man shut up one eye, and screwing his
countenance into a grimace almost frightful, sat and shook his sides,
and worked away at his queue, making no noise whatever. Spasm after
spasm came over him and passed away; and whenever he looked at Ned, off
he would go again, shaking and wriggling and pulling at his queue, but
making no noise. At length, beckoning to Sam to come near, he whispered,
'He's full on it, I tell you;' and then another screwing of his face and
a hearty shake--'he's a real boy, every inch on him. I only wish the
Major had a heered him--how it come out, ha?' and then shake, shake,
went the old man's sides. Sam, however, was greatly rejoiced that the
Major was not there, and kept Ned very busy in stowing away the goods in
their own boat, and did not feel quite at ease, until they had left the
fort a good distance behind them.
There was business enough on hand now for all our boys. The little end
building was entered upon in earnest, and soon converted into quite a
respectable-looking store, except as to size; in that respect it had not
much to boast of. Sam labored with as much interest as either of them;
and as they were all too busy to converse much while the store was in
preparation, it was not until the evening of the second day after their
return, that they could get a chance for talking. As the weather was too
cold now to meet under their favorite tree, it was concluded, for the
future, to make the store their rendezvous.
'I tell you what, Sam, who would ever have thought of this six months
ago? It is a regular store--ain't it? There are the shelves and the
counter, and the barrels, and the canisters, and the scales, just as
Grizzle has them, and a great deal nicer. But that little desk which Jim
has fitted up so snug in the corner there behind the counter--that must
be some city style. I never saw such a thing round here--did you?'
'No; but it looks well--don't it? and that green cloth on it. Jim means
to have everything snug here--don't he?'
Ned did not reply, for Jim entered just then, and looking round with a
smile, took his seat opposite to them.
'Now, Jim, tell us all about your trip, and what you saw, and how you
managed, and where you bought the things, and all about it.'
'Oh, Ned; I cannot tell you half that I witnessed in that great city.
You must go there yourself one of these days; it is a great place, and
every one is busy, and all seem to be in a hurry to get along, as though
they had something to do that must be done at once. It was as much as
_I_ could do to get through the streets; but the gentleman to whom Major
Morris introduced me, treated me very kindly, and told me how we must
manage: said he, "You will find that the people in your place have got
very little money (which you know, boys, is true), and if they can only
buy for money, you will be able to sell very little. Now you must do
this: you must offer to take from them any thing they have for
sale--butter, eggs, yarn, wood--no matter what, in payment for whatever
they want to buy of you."'
'We should be in a fine fix then, Jim; what should we do with all the
stuff--they would only take a small part at the fort, you know.'
'Just wait, Ned, and you shall hear. "All these things," said he, "are
wanted in the city, and are as good here as money. As soon as you get a
supply of this kind of produce, load up your vessel and bring it to me;
I will either take it of you or dispose of it. You can get more for it
here than it is worth with you, and so you can make a profit both
ways."'
'Oh, Sam, did you ever hear the like?'
'But just wait awhile, Ned. He said also, "that as soon as the people
here found that they could purchase goods of us cheaper than they had
been accustomed to, and get a larger price for their produce than they
had ever received, which you will be able to do by trading here, you
will not only get all the business of the place, but they will be
stimulated to raise a great deal more, and so every year you will find
your trade increasing;" and he said, "before two years, you will require
a large sloop to do your carrying business."'
'Just hear that, Sam--hurra!'
'Now, Ned, keep quiet; it is not accomplished yet; and things may not
work just as Mr. Thomas thinks they will.'
'Oh, but I say, Jim, it will work--I know it will--hurra! Only to think
of it--a large sloop in two years--hurra! Why don't you hurra, Sam? You
will be captain of her--you know you will.'
'I could hurra, Ned, if it would do any good, for I feel as glad as you
do; but it is not always best to make a noise about it.'
Sam had not forgotten the alarm he had received from Ned's shouting a
few day's back.
'Well, I don't see what you and Jim are made of: where's the use of any
thing good, if a body can't let it out a little?'
Jim soon got Ned back to real business, by asking him to read over the
bill of goods, and call off the articles, while he and Sam examined
them, and placed them away in readiness for use.
We must now leave our boys, for a time, to try their new experiment, in
order that we may bring forward the other parts of our story.