of any of his tormentors, and had put up with their conduct merely from his sincere desire to avoid a “street fight.”  In accordance with his new resolution, however, when one of them approached him one day and asked for his card, he set down a bucket which he was carrying, and, seizing the fellow, kicked him across the square, saying to him:  “That’s my card, take good care of it.  When I am out of my time, and set up for myself, and you need employment, as you will, come to me, bring the card, and I will give you work.”  “Forty-one years after,” says the writer upon whose authority this incident is related, “when Mr. Harper’s establishment was known throughout all the land, after he had borne the highest municipal honors of the city, and had become one of our wealthiest men, the person who had received the card came to Mr. James Harper’s establishment and asked employment, claiming it on the ground that he had kept the card given him forty-one years before.”

In a little while James was joined by his brother John, who was apprenticed to another printer in the city, and the two lads spent with each other much of their leisure time.  Both worked hard.  James soon became noted as the best pressman in the city, his great personal strength enabling him to work the old-fashioned hand-press with ease.  It is said that if he disliked a fellow pressman and wished to be rid of him, he merely put forth his immense strength and outworked him.  The man being unable to keep up with him, was obliged to retire.

“The habits of his rural home followed him to the city.  In an age when every body drank ardent spirits freely, he was strictly temperate, and the cold water disciple justified his faith by his works.  With the cheerful constancy of the fathers of his church he quietly resisted the temptations of the city.  He opened a prayer-meeting in the house of an old colored woman in Ann Street, and joined the John Street Methodist Church.  Meanwhile, to their simple and thrifty method of life, James and his brother added work out of hours, so that when their apprenticeship was ended they had a little money saved.”

James’ excellent habits and great skill as a workman had given entire satisfaction to his master during the whole period of his apprenticeship, and he informed the young man at the expiration of his indentures that he was willing to employ him again at fair wages.  The young workman surprised him by telling him that he intended to set up for himself, and that all he wanted from him now was a certificate that he was fit to be trusted with a book.  This was given, and James and his brother John took their little capital, which was increased by a loan of a few hundred dollars from their father, and renting a small room in Dover Street, set up an office on their own account, and began business under the firm name of J. & J. Harper.  Their capital was small—­less than the annual wages of some of their workmen to-day—­but they were sustained by industry, determination, and