It was soon observed that such was the
case; that James Harper fully expected to one day rise to be himself
proprietor; even the street Arabs recognizing that he aspired to higher
things. One day as he was passing along the street an audacious newsboy
came up to him and gave him a push, while another sneeringly asked him
for his card. Seizing the latter by the shoulder he fairly kicked the
astonished ruffian half across the square. "There," said he, "is my
card, keep it and when you want work come to me, present that card, and
I will give you work." This ended all further molestation from this
source.

His brother John came to New York in the course of a little more than a
year and entered another office, arranging his apprenticeship so that it
might end about the same time as did that of his brother James. In time
James became one of the leading pressmen in the city, and John was one
of the best compositors and proof readers in the country. All through
their long apprenticeship they had worked evenings; the surplus thus
acquired and not one cent of their day earnings ever went for drink, as
was so common in those days. To be temperate in Harper's day required
far more exertion than it would at present, as nearly everyone drank
then. So while others spent their evenings in saloons drinking, playing
pool and billiards, and 'having fun,' these young Harpers were either
hard at work putting in extra time, or at home, thus if they did not
earn more they saved what they had already earned.

When their time was out they each had a few hundred dollars, and they
began business for themselves under the firm-style of J. & J. Harper.
They felt their way, at first publishing books only for others. They
were industrious, no hand in their employ working harder than the
proprietors. Not only were they workers, but they were enterprising.
When it was found that the stereotyping consumed much of their profit,
they resolved to learn that art and add it to their business. This was
no small undertaking; those already in the business were not anxious to
set up a rival, as they felt these young men sure to become, but after
much trial and vexation the Harpers learned the art, and were therefore
better able to carry on their rapidly increasing business. When they had
fully become established they ventured out upon a publication of their
own. They put out but five hundred for the first edition, taking orders
in advance from the booksellers ab