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“Well, plod along,” replied Johnson. “Little boats keep near the shore. But, let me tell you, my young friend, your mind is rather too limited for a merchant of this day. There is Mortimer, who began business about the time you did. How much do you think he has made by a good credit?”

“I’m sure I don’t know.”

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

“And by the next turn of fortune’s wheel, may lose it all.”

“Not he. Mortimer, though young, is too shrewd a merchant for that. Do you know that he made ten thousand by the late rise in cotton; and all without touching a dollar in his business?”

“I heard something of it. But, suppose prices had receded instead of advancing? What of this good credit, then?”

“You’re too timid–too prudent, Watson,” said the merchant, “and will be left behind in the race for prosperity by men of half your ability.”

“No matter; I will be content,” was the reply of Watson.

It happened, a short time after this little interchange of views on business matters, that Watson met the daughter of Mr. Johnson in a company where he chanced to be. She was an accomplished and interesting young woman, and pleased Watson particularly; and it is but truth to say, that she was equally well pleased with him.

The father, who was present, saw, with a slight feeling of disapprobation, the lively conversation that passed between the young man and his daughter; and when an occasion offered, a day or two afterwards, made it a point to refer to him in a way to give the impression that he held him in light estimation. Flora, that was the daughter’s name, did not appear to notice his remark. One evening, not long after this, as the family of Mr. Johnson were about leaving the tea-table, where they had remained later than usual, a domestic announced that there was a gentleman in the parlor.

“Who is it?” inquired Flora.

“Mr. Mortimer,” was answered.

An expression of dislike came into the face of Flora, as she said–

“He didn’t ask for me?”

“Yes,” was the servant’s reply.

“Tell him that I’m engaged, Nancy.”

“No, no!” said Mr. Johnson, quickly. “This would not be right. Are you engaged?”

“That means, father, that I don’t wish to see him; and he will so understand me.”

“Don’t wish to see him? Why not?”

“Because I don’t like him.”

“Don’t like him?” Mr. Johnson’s manner was slightly impatient. “Perhaps you don’t know him.”

The way in which her father spoke, rather embarrassed Flora. She cast down her eye and stood for a few moments.

“Tell Mr. Mortimer that I will see him in a little while,” she then said, and, as the domestic retired to give the answer, she ascended to her chamber to make some slight additions to her toilet.

To meet the young man by constraint, as it were, was only to increase in Flora’s mind the dislike she had expressed. So coldly and formally was Mortimer received, that he found his visit rather unpleasant than agreeable, and retired, after sitting an hour, somewhat puzzled as to the real estimation in which he was held by the lady, for whom he felt more than a slight preference.

Mr. Johnson was very much inclined to estimate others by a money-standard of valuation. A man was a man, in his eyes, when he possessed those qualities of mind that would enable him to make his way in the world–in other words, to get rich. It was this ability in Mortimer that elevated him in his regard, and produced a feeling of pleasure when he saw him inclined to pay attention to his daughter. And it was the apparent want of this ability in Watson, that caused him to be lightly esteemed.

Men like Mr. Johnson are never very wise in their estimates of character; nor do they usually adopt the best means of attaining their ends when they meet with opposition. This was illustrated in the present case. Mortimer was frequently referred to in the presence of Flora, and praised in the highest terms; while the bare mention of Watson’s name was sure to occasion a series of disparaging remarks. The effect was just the opposite of what was intended. The more her father said in favor of the thrifty young merchant, the stronger was the repugnance felt towards him by Flora; and the more he had to say against Watson, the better she liked him. This went on until there came a formal application from Mortimer for the hand of Flora. It was made to Mr. Johnson first, who replied to the young man that if he could win the maiden’s favor, he had his full approval. But to win the maiden’s favor was not so easy a task, as the young man soon found. His offered hand was firmly declined.