The Pedler of Dust Sticks | Page 5

and if I live, she shall have
money enough too, for I can and will earn it for her. I shall work harder
and better now than I ever did before, because I shall be working for
one whom I love so dearly."
Henry's parents saw that it was in vain to oppose him, that it would
only drive him out of the house, and that they should thus lose him and
his work too; so they gave the matter up.
From this time Henry worked more industriously, if possible, than ever.
He did the same for his father as before; but he contrived also to find
some hours in which he might work for himself exclusively. All that he
earned at these times he devoted to his new and dearest friend. He
would purchase with the money he earned some pretty or comfortable
thing to wear that she wished and had denied herself; or sometimes he
would get some nice thing for her to eat; for she had delicate health,
and but little appetite.
After work was done in the shop, and the family had gone to bed,
Henry used to hasten to his dear Agatha, and pass two or three happy
hours with her. They both had fine voices, and many an hour they
would sing together, till they would forget the weariness of the day, and
the fact that they had nothing but their love for each other to bless
themselves with in this world. They worked harder, they denied
themselves more than ever, they were more careful to be wise and good
for the sake of each other; and so their love made them better as well as
happier.
At last, when Henry was nineteen, his parents consented to his
marrying and bringing his wife home to their house. As there was no
money to spare, they could only have a very quiet wedding. They were
married with-out any parade or expense, and never were two excellent
beings happier than they.
The young wife made herself very useful in her husband's family. She
worked very hard,--her husband thought harder than she ought to
work,--and he was anxious to be independent, and have a house of his

own, where he could take more care of her, and prevent her injuring
herself by labor.
There was some money due his father in Bremen; and, after living at
home a year or so, Henry took his wife with him, and went there to
collect the money.
There they lived two years, and there they suffered severely. They were
very poor, and they met with misfortunes. At last Henry's wife and their
two children took the small-pox; but they all lived and got well, and
their love for each other was only made more perfect by suffering; for
they learned patience and fortitude, and were confirmed in what they
both before believed, that they could bear any trouble if they could
share it together.
At the end of the two years, they returned to Hamburg. During their
absence, Henry's mother had died, and his father had married a woman
who had a little property.
Henry now felt no longer anxious about his family, and set up for
himself in the cane and whalebone business. He took a small house,
just big enough for his family, and they invited his wife's sister to live
with them and assist in the work.
Henry was very desirous of setting up a cane and whalebone factory,
and doing business upon a larger scale, but had not the means to obtain
suitable machinery. He wanted a large boiler, but it was too expensive,
and he knew not what to do. Here his excellent character was the cause
of his success. A gentleman who had known him from the time when
he used to carry about dust sticks to sell came forward and offered him
a large boiler, and told him that he might pay for it whenever he could
conveniently. Henry accepted the kind offer, and commenced business
directly.
His old customers all came to him, and in a short time he was able to
hire a man to help him. It was not long before he wanted another, and
then another man. Every thing prospered with him. He made money
fast. His business grew larger constantly. He did all sorts of work in

whalebone and cane; now he added ivory, umbrella sticks, keys for
pianos, canes, and whip handles, and made all sorts of things in which
these materials are used.
Henry was so well acquainted with his business, so industrious and
faithful, was known to be so honest and just in his dealings, and was so
kind in his treatment of his workmen, that all who wanted what he
could supply went to him, and