turned his thoughts in another quarter, and when Jones called to
inform him that he had raised the capital needed, he was coolly told
that it was too late, he having an hour before closed a partnership
arrangement with another person, under the belief that Jones could
not advance the money required.

This was a bitter disappointment, and soured the mind of Jacob
against his fellow man, and against the fates also, which he alleged
were all combined against him. His own share in the matter was a
thing undreamed of. He believed himself far better qualified for
business than the one who had been preferred before him, and he had
the thousand dollars to advance. It must be his luck that was
against him, nothing else; he could come to no other conclusion.
Other people could get along in the world, but he couldn't. That was
the great mystery of his life.

For two years Jacob had been waiting to get married. He had not
wished to take this step before entering into business, and having a
fair prospect before him. But years were creeping on him apace, and
the fair object of his affections seemed weary of delay.

"It's no use to wait any longer," said he, after this dashing of his
cup to the earth. "Luck is against me. I shall never be any thing
but a poor devil of a clerk. If Clara is willing to share my humble
lot, we might as well be married first as last."

Clara was not unwilling, and Jacob Jones entered into the estate
connubial, and took upon him the cares of a family, with a salary of
seven hundred dollars a year, to sustain the new order of things.
Instead of taking cheap boarding, or renting a couple of rooms, and