... He already seemed to
descry in the distance the possibility of a great wholesale
establishment; but this must be reached by little and little. He would
not attempt what he could not accomplish. Any sudden bound, therefore,
by which he was at once to pass the gulf now separating him from his
object, was not to be thought of. A little at a time; secure what you
have, work it well, make it fruitful, and then push on a little
farther; but never stretch out to anything new till all the old is
perfectly cultivated.'
The brother, who was fifteen years his senior, and a man of ordinary
character, was borne on by the towering genius of Samuel the
apprentice. 'Among the customers of the shop were numbers of good
women, who came from villages at a few miles' distance, mounted on
donkeys. As the flow of purchasers was great, a crowd of these patient
steeds would often be for a long time about the door, while their
respective mistresses were obtaining goods. In this concourse from a
distance, the quick eye of Samuel discovered the germ of an extended
trade. Why should he not go into their neighbourhood regularly, and
obtain their orders; so securing their custom always, and affording
them accommodation, while he obtained new chances of extension? His
brother was much more inclined to pursue the regular course than to
branch into anything new; and the caution of the one probably acted as
a useful counterbalance to the energy of the other.
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