ployed, and business was organized on a scale of grandeur that astonished the plain people of Brattleboro, who had known James only as the son of the father, an unassuming, quiet sort of man.

When all these preparations were complete, a larger stock of goods, purchased from the house of Jordan, Marsh, & Co., of Boston, arrived at Brattleboro. The wagons and gaily caparisoned teams were drawn up at the warehouse to receive supplies. Two very imposing establishments, larger and more conspicuous than the rest, were commanded by father and son-the former now an employee of the latter. James Fisk had already marked out a map of the routes the several wagons were to take; the distances they should proceed during the first week, and the place of rendezvous, at which all should meet on Saturday. Each employee was required to give, at the end of every week an account of the business done, goods sold, and goods on hand, together with a requisition for new goods required. By this plan of organized labor the sales were largely increased, and Fisk became a merchant of no mean standing. He always drove fine horses, in a dashing style, and at a high rate of speed, giving an air of dash and boldness to his surroundings, that made his appearance in any village of his native State, an event long to be remembered by the young people, and a topic for conversation with the ambitious boys of the Green Mountain region.

Notwithstanding his dash, enterprise, and prosperity, Fisk always bore a fair name in his native

town; among his neighbors, his character was that of a sharp, but honest dealer. He might drive close bargains, but was prompt in meeting his engagements. During the whole of his eventful life, the home of his childhood, and the scenes of his early life never lost that delightful charm, which men so frequently throw around the places of their nativity, and he was always a most welcome visitor at Brattleboro.

CHAPTER II.

FISK AS A BOSTON CLERK AND MERCHANT.

His Advent in Boston-Becomes a Clerk in a Large Dry Goods House and Fails-Demands a New Trial and Succeeds-Is admitted to a Partnership in the Great Firm-Government Contracts -Profitable Operations-Bold Enterprises-Amasses WealthAttempts to set up for Himself and Fails.

THE extensive trade built up rapidly in Vermont by Mr. Fisk, the large orders for goods and his occasional visits to the house of the Boston firm, from whom he purchased his goods, brought the country customer and the city merchant into close and agreeable contact with each other. Finally, the firm of Jordan, Marsh & Co. invited Mr. Fisk to a clerkship in its house. The offer was accepted; the business in Vermont was wound up rapidly and satisfactory, and the country peddler was merged in the city clerk. Fisk soon discovered that the narrow limits of the dry goods house oppressed him. He had roamed over Southern Vermont with a freedom and dash that made life ever fresh and varied. In the country he was a great man-a proprietor a power-a man of note. In the city he was an obscure clerk-a servant-unknown without standing in society. The change of situation was keenly felt, and produced a marked effect on