The Continental Monthly, page 109 by Various Authors
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resolved to come again when the new goods should arrive.
Thus Hiram triumphed. In six months after J. Pease left, Benjamin Jessup's store was the store of Hampton, and Benjamin Jessup himself on the road to prosperity and wealth.
Hiram Meeker was sitting alone in his room over the store, late one evening. He had been with Mr. Jessup a year and eleven months. Another month, and the second year would be completed.
'I believe,' so ran the current of his thoughts, 'I have learned pretty much all there is to be found out here; have not done badly, either. Cousin Bennett's advice to mother was right. I am not ready to go to New-York yet. There is much country knowledge to be gained. Let me see, I will drive over to Burnsville next week. Joel Burns is carrying every thing before him, they say. All sorts of business. A first-class man; neither a Smith nor a Jessup. I met Sarah Burns last week at a party over at Croft's--lovely girl. I think Burnsville will suit me.'
Thereupon Hiram Meeker took up his Bible, which lay on the table near him, drew himself a little closer to the fire, moved the lamp into a convenient position, and read one chapter in course; it was in Deuteronomy. Then he kneeled in prayer for about five minutes. As soon as he had finished, he went to bed, equally satisfied with his labors and his devotions; complacently he laid his head on the pillow, and was soon asleep,
* * * * *
'I am sorry to go, Mr. Jessup, but I have my fortune to make yet, you know, and I must look a little to my own interests.'
'Yes, but confound it, Meeker, what is it you want? I expected to raise your salary; in fact, it's no account what you charge me, you mustn't go, that's settled.'
'Indeed I must.'
'Why, what is the matter? If you say so, I will take you into partnership, though you are not one and twenty. Really, Hiram, don't leave us in this way.'
'I repeat, I am sorry to do so, but as I have no intention of living in Hampton,