Republican Herald

FOR THE HERALD.

RANDOM SHOTS.—No. 2.

By a Sportsman.

Some Account of Parley Banks, Esq.

Parley Banks was a poor boy, but very ambitious. Some of his acquaintance thought him proud and haughty. Whether he was or not three things are quite certain: he was never praised but he felt it; he never had the advantage but he used it; he was never injured but he resented it. Having nothing of his own, or very little, his chief dependence was upon the confidence of his companions and supporters. He commenced business quite young, but being a shrewd fellow, he soon amassed some wealth, and began to make a stir in the world. Although he had but a trifle to begin with, he soon gained confidence, and could obtain credit to any amount. As he kept up good style, handsome counters, richly dressed long-haired clerks, shelves loaded with goods, and money in the drawer, any man would not be so ungracious as to refuse to just write his name on any bit of paper which might recommend him to the favorable attention and keep him on good credit with all the stock jobbers in the town.

The consequence of all this was, that Parley Banks went on speedily and gloriously, and, like the man in scripture, "soon forgot what manner of man he was." He pulled down his old store and built a more splendid one. He bought the most elegant mansion in the whole country and had it refitted throughout. He married the prettiest girl in all the country; and none can ever hope to surpass the splendor of his nuptial festivities. His carriage every body knew half a mile off by its gilded trappings, and his horses by their rich caparisons. Wherever he moved, attention was turned; whenever he halted, the gazers bowed; for it was no mean honor to bow in the presence of such a man.

Every thing around him moved briskly. The whole place prospered Men gathered in from all quarters. Factories reared up four stories high and twenty windows long Spindles were set a buzzing, and looms a clattering. Women and girls, and men and boys, obsequiously bowed! and humbly petitioned for the privilege to be his slaves, to work at his price, and buy at his price; to stay at his will and go at his pleasure.

Every thing went on swimmingly. Even the whole village, with a few exceptions, came into his possession. But for one or two crusty old democrats he might have done valiantly and been burgomaster of the entire village. Who will not join in hot condemnation of these sour old homespun fellows who dare oppose the lofty schemes and majestic plans of Parley Banks? Who does not see that they oppose the prosperity of the place? Their old fustian houses, and great ugly barns; yards full of cattle, and fields of corn and potatoes should be demolished by the breath of Parley Banks, and be covered over with tenements, stores and banking houses. The old scythe shop, and saw and grist mills have no business there. Boards we can get from Madawaska, flour from Ohio; and mowing grass is vulgar business. Away with the shops, and let cotton mills go up; Parley Banks can put them agoing. Down go the shops, up go the factories; and Parley Banks has only to get enlarged his accommodations a bit, and every thing goes well. Confidence never wavers. Why should it? Only see what Parley Banks is doing! Who can doubt his soundness?

To be sure, these old democrats who live under the shadow of his high fences, speak out boldly and say he cannot redeem half his paper But what do such old codgers know about finance? Parley Banks knows more in a minute than they will know in a whole life. Only see what he has done. But for him these houses, and stores, and factories would not be here—nothing but old Ben Cornfield's farm, and Jo Snider's saw mill and blacksmith shop would have existed where now is this beautiful village.

(To be continued.)