the lake. She was to
commence running in a few days. I applied for the office of purser, or
steward--call it which you will. I obtained it, at a low salary,
stipulating that I should be allowed to trade, to a certain extent, on
my own account. That was all I wanted. My plans were at once formed.
Jack was to purchase and bring up the articles from Toronto, and Arthur
and I to go round to the farms, as far as we could reach, and to obtain
orders, large or small. All were fish which came into our net, from an
ounce of tobacco to the furniture of a house or the machinery for a saw
mill, provided we could get security; it would have been folly to trade
without that, especially with some of our customers.

"We paid considerable sums to the steamer for freight, and, pleasing the
owners, were able, with their aid, to increase our credit and our
business. It is extraordinary how reckless some of those we dealt with
were in giving orders for goods and in mortgaging their property as
security, without a prospect, as far as we could judge, of their being
able to pay us without allowing the mortgage to be foreclosed. That you
may not think ill of me on that account, I may say that we thus had an
opportunity of being of considerable service to many of these
improvident gentlemen. Our trade throve, and I soon found that it would
be convenient to establish a store at the principal place at which the
steamer called. Arthur took charge of it, and the flourishing condition
of the concern showed that we were right in our expectations.

"Our capital increased. We were compelled to foreclose some mortgages;
and as we did not wish to keep the farms of which we thus became
possessed, we sold them at more or less profit. We were in the way of
hearing when land was to be sold at a cheap rate, either improved or
unimproved, and by purchasing such land and re-selling to newly-arrived
settlers, who became good customers, we profited considerably. We got
the best of everything, and our desire was to supply those who bought of
us with what we knew they would most require, and which would give them
satisfaction.

"As soon as I had established a business I left the steam-boat and went
to live on shore, at the store, having first taken to wife the daughter
of my old master. A very good wife she has made me, and I should like,
some day, to bring her over to see you, Mrs Ashton; but you mustn't
expect to see a fine lady, such are not the g