AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 23 



mined to still further extend my business by 

 opening a wholesale and retail grocery and pro- 

 vision store. Fortune smiled on my endeavors, 

 and all evidences encouraged the belief that I 

 was on the direct road to wealth. 



Having thus attained a good position in busi- 

 ness, my mind began to make excursions in 

 another direction. The wisest of men has said 

 that " Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing," 

 and, having a natural liking for" a good thing," I 

 found my thoughts led to the important subject 

 of marriage, until I finally determined to try the 

 experiment of trading in the matrimonial market 

 After thus deciding, it took me but a short time 

 to reach the important object contemplated, for, 

 it would seem, I was specially directed in my 

 course. I formed the acquaintance of Miss 

 Northrop, an estimable and accomplished young 

 lady, the only daughter of the late Dr. Northrop, 

 and soon the fair one was led to the hymeneal 

 altar and became the wife and partner of O. S 

 Pratt. 



