goods for cash or by
guaranteed commissions.

For many years, the manufacture of whips was the most important business
in Amherst. It gave employment to several persons and furnished the
means of support to ten or twelve families. The purchases of ivory,
whalebone, and other raw material, were usually made from first hands
and in such quantities as often gave the firm control of the market;
while in the style and workmanship of their handmade whips, they had few
competitors.

With the enlargement of their resources, Messrs. Melendy & David became
interested in other enterprises. They held real estate and buildings.
They bought shares in the railways which were finding their location in
New Hampshire. Mr. David belonged to the Board of Directors that laid
out and constructed the Northern Railroad. Subsequently this property
was sold, and with the proceeds they joined in new undertakings at the
West, which subjected the firm to very serious losses. The business was
entrusted to others, and unforeseen difficulties arose, attended by
material disasters, which no precaution will certainly avert; and
failing in the support which was supposed sure, defeat ensued. But these
reverses were not without their uses, as subsequent events clearly
demonstrated. Accepting the conditions, which were most disheartening,
Mr. David and his partner addressed themselves to the work of securing
their creditors and restoring their fortunes. It was a long and weary
struggle, demanding persistent application, economy, and careful
management. They were subjected to painful imputations and occasional
rebuffs, but they also found sympathy, and at the end of nine years,
in which they sought no relief from the usual claims of social and
religious obligations, every debt was discharged and their real
estate freed from all incumbrance. The example was most commendable,
illustrating the sterling virtue and high determination of the men in
circumstances where weak minds would have faltered, and unconscientious
persons would have evaded payment.

Going back in this history to the period of their increasing business,
we shall find that a strong religious element controlled the lives of
both of these men. In the years from 1830 to 1836, which were so
memorable in large accessions to the Churches of New Hampshire, the
power of the gospel was manifested in Amherst, and these men with many
others were persuaded to act upon their religious convictions and av