First impressions are generally the most lasting.  Those Edward and Othro received during their visit and subsequent conversation were favorable to the purchase.

On their return they consulted together for a long time, and finally concluded to go that day, instead of waiting till the next, and make Mr. Lagrange an offer of which they had no doubt he would accept.

Mr. Lagrange’s chief object in selling out was that he might disengage himself from business.  He had been a long time in it; he was getting somewhat advanced in life, and had accumulated sufficient to insure him against want, and he deemed it best to step out, and give room to the young-an example worthy of general imitation.

That the business was profitable there could be no doubt.  As Othro had said, the profit on the wines was indeed immense.

On pleasant evenings the store was crowded; and, as it was filled with the young, gay, and fashionable of wealthy rank, not much difficulty was experienced in obtaining these large profits.

The return of the young men was not altogether unexpected by Mr. Lagrange.  He was ready to receive them.  He set before them his best wines.  They drank freely, praised the wine, and extolled the store, for they thought it admirably calculated to make a fortune in.

Mr. Lagrange imparted to them all the information they desired.  They made him an offer, which he accepted, after some thought; and arrangements were entered into by which Messrs. Dayton and Treves were to take possession on the morning of the following Monday.

CHAPTER IV.

No one commences business without the prospect of success.  Assure a man he will not succeed, and he will be cautious of the steps he takes, if, indeed, he takes any.

If he does not expect to gain a princely fortune; he expects to earn a comfortable subsistence, and, at the same time, accumulate enough to shelter him in a rainy day, and be enabled to walk life’s busy stage in comfort and respectability, and, as occasion may demand, relieve the wants of his less fortunate brethren.

For this all hope, yet the experience of thousands shows that few, very few, ever realize it.  On the contrary, disappointment, in its thousand malignant forms, starts up on every hand; yet they struggle on, and in imagination see more prosperous days in the future.  Thus they hope against hope, till the green sod covers their bodies, and they leave their places to others, whilst the tale is told in these few words:  “They lived and died.”

The next Monday the citizens were notified, by the removal of his old sign, that Mr. Lagrange had retired from business.  During the day, many of Mr. Lagrange’s customers came in, that they might become acquainted with the successors of their old friend.  To these Messrs. Dayton and Treves were introduced, and from them received promise of support.