CHAPTEE XXY. 



THE KING OF THE COFFEE TEADE. 



FivE-Airo-FOETT jcars ago, or thereabouts, a briglit, ambitious 

 youth left his home in Ehode Island and came to New York, 

 bringing with him a first-class reputation as an accountant. In 

 fact, his business tact and ability were of so high an order that 

 they soon commanded attention. He made a connection, in 1836, 

 with one of the largest and most respectable firms on the east side 

 of the city, engaged in the grocery business. 



This young man possessed in an eminent degree the faculty 

 which marks most men of note — that of keeping his own counsels. 

 Although possessing great confidence in his own abilities, he was 

 modest and unobtrusive in manner, and pursued his ambitions in 

 a resolute but quiet way, which, for the time beiug, attracted but 

 little attention. 



There is nothing special to record regarding the next fifteen 

 years of his life, other than to say that his social position was all 

 that could be desired, and his progress and reputation as a mer- 

 chant rapid for those days. In 18S1 he was admitted a junior 

 partner in the proud firm he had so long and faithfully served — 

 a firm standing at the very head of the coffee trade. The senior 

 member of the firm was one of those merchant-princes of whom 

 JSTew York was, and is still, justly proud. In financial as well as 

 trade circles the name of this man was a tower of strbngth, while 

 socially he occupied a first place. To be associated with such a 

 man as a partner was no small honor, and our Rhode Island youth 

 estimated the privilege for all that it was worth, and undoubtedly 

 looked forward to the day when the senior should retire and the 

 junior succeed to his place. That day came after various changes, 



