New Years Day. 1 1 3 



to inexperienced travellers and to those with purses 

 thinly lined. The comical expedient of doubling or 

 trebling the usual allowance of shirts and stockings 

 against the rigours of a long cold journey should not 

 be lost sight of. The journey proved of great use to 

 the firm. Henceforward they had their goods, both 

 of home and foreign manufacture, mostly direct from 

 the makers. This soon gave a considerable impulse 

 to their trade. 



In consequence of increased business, as already 

 intimated, the hardware and fancy department had 

 to be removed to an adjoining warehouse. Of this 

 Mr. and Mrs. Robertson took charge, while Mr. and 

 Mrs. McDougall superintended the glass and china 

 department. For the hardware and fancy goods they 

 got into a good export trade, sending to India, 

 among other things, guns, locks, padlocks by the 

 hogshead, and bobbins of thread. In this and other 

 respects all continued to go on prosperously. 



With the itinerant dealers, the humble customers 

 on whom their early trade had so much depended, 

 they had now and then some amusing experiences. 

 When prosperity had been attained, it was the 

 practice of the firm on New Year's Day to give cake 

 or Scotch bun and a glass of whisky to all customers 

 who chose to come and partake of this hospitality. 

 One time when Mr. Robertson was handing round 

 a large plateful, an old man, instead of taking a 

 slice as others had done, took the plate, saying, 

 with every evidence of delight and gratitude, " Thank 

 you, Mr. Robertson ! oh, thank you, Mr. Robertson ! " 

 It was not till he had with great satisfaction 



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