Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

LETTER 78.

The Answer.

SIR,

It is with the greatest concern I have perused your affecting letter; and should consider myself as very cruel if I refused to comply with a request so reasonable as that made by you. I have employed a worthy person, a friend of mine, to examine your books, the result of which shall be immediately laid before the other creditors, and if it is as you represent, you need not be afraid of any harsh usage. I always considered you as a man of the greatest integrity, and am determined to lay down a plan for your future support. In the mean time, I have sent a trifle to defray your expenses, till the other affairs are settled, and am,

Your sincere well wisher.

LETTER 79.

From a Tradesman to a Wholesale dealer, to delay payment of a sum of money.

SIR,

My note to you will be payable in ten days, and I am sorry to inform you, that although I have considerable sums in good hands, yet none of them are due these six weeks, which is all the time I require. It is a favor I never asked of any one till this moment, and I hope for the future not to leave any occasion to repeat it. I am really distressed for your answer; but as a proof of my sincerity, have sent enclosed three notes, subscribed by

persons well known to yourself, and although they exceed my debt, yet I have no objection to your keeping them as security till due. Let me beg to hear from you as soon as this comes to hand, which will greatly oblige Your humble servant.

[blocks in formation]

It was extremely fortunate for you that your letter arrived the day after it was written, for I was to have paid your note away yesterday, and I could not have had an opportunity of recalling it in time to have served you. Indeed it was imprudent not to communicate the news to me sooner, as your credit might be greatly affected by such an unnecessary delay. However, I impute it to your unwillingness to reveal the state of your affairs, and shall keep the note in my hands till your own becomes due, and for that purpose have returned the others, not doubting but that you will send me the money at the time promised, which will greatly oblige

Your humble servant.

LETTER 81.

From a Young Man, who had an opportunity to set up in business, but destitute of money, to a Gentleman of reputed benevolence.

HONORED SIR,

When you look at the subscription, you will remember my serving you with goods, when I was appren

[ocr errors]

tice to Mr. Carter, grocer, in New York. I have been a little above two years out of my time, which was spent in Mr. Carter's service, and the greatest part of my wages have been given to support an aged mother, confined to a sick bed. Mr. Carter died about ten days ago; and, having no family, his executors, who are almost strangers to me, are going to let the store. My worthy master has left me by his will one thousand dollars, but that is no way sufficient to purchase the stock in trade; nor will they give any longer credit than twelve months. Being well acquainted with the trade, as also with the customers, and having such a fair prospect of settling in business, I have presumed to lay it before you. I have often heard of your willingness to serve those under difficulties; especially young people beginning the world. If you approve of this, and will advance so much on my bond, payable in a limited time, it shall be as safe as if in the hands of your banker. I shall be as frugal and industrious as possible, and the whole of my time shall be employed in the closest attention to the duties of my station, and shall acknowledge your kindness with gratitude as long as I live. I hope this will not give any offence; and sir, if you give me leave I will wait on you with one of the executors, that you may hear their proposals. My character, as to honesty and fidelity, will bear the strictest inquiry, as is testified in my late master's will, and also by all with whom I have any dealings.

I am, honored sir,

Your obedient humble servant.

LETTER 82.

The Gentleman's Answer.

SIR,

I have just received yours, and although I am indisposed with the gout, yet could not hesitate one moment in sending an answer. There is such an appearance of honesty, together with such an unaffected simplicity, runs through the whole of your letter, that I am strongly inclined to comply with your request, and happy shall I think myself if your honest endeavors are attended with the desired success. You need not give yourself the trouble of calling on me, lest it should interfere with your business. I will either call on you tomorrow, or send a friend to inquire into the particulars. In the mean time it gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have not been wanting in filial duty to an aged parent; and while you continue to act consistently with the principles and regulate your conduct by the practice of virtue, you will have great reason to expect the divine blessing on whatever you undertake. Trade is of a very precarious nature, and if not attended to with assiduity and regular. ity, generally involves those engaged in the greatest difficulty, if not ruin. Let me beg, therefore, that when you become a master, you will avoid mixing in company with those who spend their time and substance in the fashionable follies of the present age. Such practices are inconsistent with the business of a tradesman; and I am afraid that it is greatly owing to such, that we see the papers so often filled with the names of bankrupts, who, if they had attended with steadiness to the duties of that station in which Providence has placed them, might have

A

been a comfort to their families, and an honor to their different professions. But, although I have no fears concerning your integrity, yet the best of men cannot be too often reminded of their duty.

I am, your sincere well wisher.

LETTER 83.

From the Servant of a wholesale Dealer, to his Master in New York, giving an account of his Customers in the Country.

SIR,

I have visited several of the towns between this and New York, where any of your customers reside, and although they complain much of the decay of trade, yet their payments and orders have been as well as could reasonably be expected; and indeed I think trade is beginning to revive. I have the pleasure to inform you, that, in the places where I have been, there is not any appearance of failing; and the people have been so well pleased with your goods and fair dealing, that I have obtained many new orders. I have likewise received a dividend of twelve shillings in the pound of the effects of Mr. Cambrick, the linen draper at Hartford, who failed last year, and there is still something remaining; so that upon the whole, your loss will not be so great as was at first expected. I have finished your business in this town, and set off tomorrow for New London, where I shall expect to hear from you, if you have any thing particular to transact before I return, and am, sir, with duty and respect,

Your obedient and faithful servant.

« AnteriorContinuar »