The Rich Merchant by Book keeping
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The Knickerbocker Magazine publishes
the following authentic anecdote of an old
New York merchant, whose name, were we
permitted to mention it, would sound fami-
liar in the ears Of many of our metropolitan
readers:


g In old times, it was the custom Of the
merchants of the city of New Y ork to keep
their accounts in pounds, shillings and pence
currency. About fifty years ago, a frugal,
industrious Scotch merchant, well known to
the then small mercantile community Of that
city, had, by dint of fortunate commercial
adventure and economy, been enabled to
save something like four thousand pounds
a considerable sum of money at that period,
and one which secured to its possessor a de-
gree Of enviable independence. His place
of business and residence were, as was Gus
tomary at that time, under the same roof
He had clerk in his employment, whose
reputation as an accountant inspired the ut
most confidence of his master, whose frugal
habits he emulated with the true spirit and
feeling of genuine Caledonian. 1t was
usual for the accountant to make an annual
balance sheet, for the inspection his master,
in order that he might see what had been the
profits Of his business for the past year. On
this occasion, the balance sheet showed to the
credit of the business six thousand pounds,
which somewhat astonished the incredulous
merchant 1t Gamma be- said he; 'ye had
better count up agen dlnnathlnk ha' had
sac profitable a beesness as this represents,
The clerk, with his usual patience, re-exam-
med the statement, and declared that it was
a. right and that he was willing to wager
his salary upon its correctness The some
what puzzled merchant scratched his head
with surprise, and commenced adding up both
sides of the account for himself. Il did ma
Think said he, that was worth over four
thousand pounds; but ye ha' made me a
much richer man. Weel weel, | may ha'
been mair successful than had thought, and
Pll ma quarrel wi myself for being worth six
thousand instead AT early candle-light, the
store was regularly closed by the faithful ac-
countant; and as soon as he had gone, the
sorely perplexed and incredulous merchant
commenced the painful task of going over
and examining the accounts for himself.
Night after night did he labor in his solitary
counting-house alone, to look for the error
but every examination confirmed the correct
ness of the clerk, until the old Scotchman
began to believe it possible that he was really
worth sax thousand pounds Stimulated
by this addition to his wealth, he soon felt
desire to improve the condition Of his house
hold and, with that view, made purchase of
new furniture, carpets, and other elegancies,
consistent with the condition of man pos
sessng the large fortune of six thousand
pounds. Painters and carpenters were sci to
work to tear down and build up, and in a
short time the gloomy-looking residence in
Stone-street was renovated to such degree
as to attract the curiosity and envy of all his