Chapter IV: Amos Lawrence

The Lawrence family--A poor boy--Early education--Delicate health--Obtains a situation at Dunstable--Returns to Groton--Becomes Mr. Brazer's apprentice--The variety store--An amateur doctor--Importance of Groton in "old times"--Responsibility of young Lawrence--Is put in charge of the business--High character--Drunkenness the curse of New England--Lawrence resolves to abstain from liquors and tobacco--His self-command--Completes his apprenticeship--Visits Boston--An unexpected offer--Enters into business in Boston--Is offered a partnership, but declines it--His sagacity justified--Begins business for himself--Commercial importance of Boston--Aid from his father--A narrow escape--lesson for life--Amos Lawrence's method of doing business---An example for young men--His business habits--He leaves nothing unfinished over Sunday--Avoids speculation--His views upon the subject--Introduces double entry in book-keeping into Boston--His liberality to his debtors--Does not allow his business to master him--Property gained by some kinds of sacrifices not worth having--Forms a partnership with his brother Abbott--Business of the firm--They engage in manufactures--Safe business principles--A noble letter--Political opinions--His charities--Statement of his donations--Requests that no public acknowledgment of his gifts be made--Character as a merchant and a man--Advice to his son--His religious character--Loss of his health--His patience and resignation--The model American merchant.

CHAPTER V.

ANDREW V. STOUT.

Early struggles--Acquires an education--Undertakes the support of his family--The boy teacher--Hard work--Is made instructor of Latin--A trying position--How he conquered his difficulties--Is made principal of a public school--His first business ventures--Engages in the building of houses--His platform of integrity--His success--A great mistake--He indorses a note--The consequence of a false step--Liberal action of the bank--Mr. Stout resolves to accept no accommodation--Pays the notes, and loses twenty-three thousand dollars--Establishes himself as a wholesale boot and shoe dealer--Enters the dry goods trade--Close attention to business--His system and its success--Organization of the Shoe and Leather Bank of New York--Mr. Stout is made Vice President, and subsequently President--Character as a citizen--Is made City Chamberlain--Generosity to the police force--Interest in church affairs--Kindness to the poor--Encouragement which his career affords others.