194                     THE OLD MERCHAATTS
 

CHAPTER XXIV

Our largest merchants, or those doing the most ex¬
tensive commercial business at the present day, did not
all commence with large capitals and credits or extensive
connections. On tlie contrary very many of tho heav¬
iest capitalists commenced their course in the most hum¬
ble and limited manner. The old John Jacob A.stor
commenced with peddling cookies and cakes. In those
days. It was not so humble to do that as now. Then
the largest bakers sent their apprentices out to peddle
the luxuries from the oven, and it was probably in this
capacity that Astor peddled cakes.

Many of our afterward large merchants commenced
life as porters in the large mercantile establishments.
Such was the case with Barney Graham, wdio became a
partner in the heavy foreign house of Peter Harmony
<fe Co. Mr. Graham was an excessively hard-featured
man, at the same time he was a capital business man,
and Mr. Harmony was obliged to take him into the
firm or lose his services altogether. He made himself
useful. He never put on airs. It is a singular fact,
that a foreign-born boy, or one from the New England
States, will succeed in this city, and become a partner
in our largest firms, much oftener than a born New Yot'k
boy.     The  great secret of this success is the perfect