Hidden Treasures | Page 8

a
sense of right, and in doing so, never reckon the cost." What a glorious
principle for any young man--a principle he would find hard to follow
in many stock speculations. "Even exchange is no robbery." It is not
even exchange to bet and take a man's money; and it makes little
difference whether you bet on a horse's gait or the grain he will eat next
month. At another time he said: "Good principles, good temper, and
good manners will carry a young man through the world much better
than he can get along with the absence of either." His sayings are
numerous, yet every one is worthy of attention; all of them have a
golden thought for old and young.
Mr. Lawrence did not give away in large amounts to institutions of
learning, but he kept two rooms in his house wholly for the storage of
articles designed to relieve poor people. One contained clothing of
every description; the other, food and other necessaries of life. He gave
away during his life, over $700,000, and when he died people mourned
that he had gone, for there were none left that could take his place. Ah!

this is success. He died December 31st, 1852.

HORACE B. CLAFLIN.
This great dry-goods prince was born at Milford, Massachusetts, in
1811, and his education was attained in the public schools of that place.
When he became of age he bought out the store in which he was clerk,
and in company with another young man began business for himself.
But this place was too small for the already expanding vision of both
Claflin & Daniels; they accordingly moved to Worcester. The latter
place proving yet too small for Claflin, we soon see him located in
Cedar street, New York, where he finds himself somewhat satisfied for
a time. After a period of successful trade--extending over six years'
time, the young men were compelled to find more commodious
quarters, which they found at No. 57 Broadway, and two years later
they moved once more, locating in the Trinity Building. 1860 came,
their business was found to amount to about $12,000,000 annually, and
the firm resolved to build a store, for themselves. The result was an
immense dry-goods palace. The retail business was entirely abandoned,
and Claflin at once sprung to the front as the leading wholesale
dry-goods merchant of America.
One day, about five o'clock, Mr. Claflin sat in his private office when a
young man, pale and careworn, timidly knocked and was asked in. "Mr.
Claflin," said he, "I am in need of help. I have been unable to meet
certain payments because certain parties have not done by me as they
agreed. I would like to have $10,000. I come to you because I knew
that you were a friend of my father, and I thought possibly you might
be a friend to me." "Come in and have a glass of wine," said Claflin.
"No," said the young man, "I never drink." "Have a cigar?" "No, I
never smoke." "Well," replied Claflin, "I am sorry but I don't feel that I
can let you have the money." "Very well," replied the young man, "I
thought perhaps you might; hence I came. Good day, sir." "Hold on,"
said Claflin. "You don't drink?" "No." "Nor smoke?" "No sir." "Nor
gamble?" "No sir; I am superintendent of a Sunday-school, in ----
street." "Well," said Claflin, "you shall have it." This was characteristic

of the man. This anecdote well illustrates his character. He was an
everyday Christian.
On November 14, 1885, he passed away, leaving one more gap in the
commercial world, and in the membership of Plymouth Church, of
which he had been a member many years. Probably no one man missed
him more at the time of his death than did Henry Ward Beecher, of
whom he had long been a devoted admirer.

WILLIAM E. DODGE.
When one finishes the perusal of the life of William E. Dodge, he feels
a thrill of unbounded admiration. A man who would resign his
membership in the Union League Club, because it sold wine to its
members; who disposed of valuable investments in three different
railroads, when a majority of the stockholders voted to run Sunday
trains; who, while carrying on a large mercantile business, and
managing an extensive stock and real estate business, yet found time to
preside at the Chamber of Commerce and serve on numerous
committees, and held a directorship in various banking institutions, is
surely to be admired.
His religious life was never weakened by his prosperity, and the more
money God blessed him with, the more religious societies he became
connected with.
William E. Dodge was born in the year 1805, near Hartford,
Connecticut. He began at the foot of the