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HENRY BOYD.

work. "Yes, sure enough, that is the very fellow for you," said the merchant.

12. The resolution and alacrity of Boyd interested him exceedingly, and during the four or five days in which a flotilla of boats were discharging their cargoes of pig iron with unaccustomed despatch, he became familiar with his history, with the exception of all that pertained to his trade, which Boyd thought proper to keep to himself. In consequence, our adventurer next found himself promoted to the partnership of the merchant's store, a post which he filled to great satisfaction.

13. He had a hand and a head for every thing, and an occasion was not long wanting to prove it. A joiner was engaged to erect a counter, but failing, by a drunken frolic, the merchant was disappointed and vexed. Rather in passion than in earnest, he turned to his faithful porter-"Here, Henry, you can do almost any thing, why can't you do this job?" "Perhaps I could, sir, if I had my tools and the stuff," was the reply. "Your tools!" exclaimed the merchant in surprise, for till now he knew nothing of his trade.

14. Boyd explained that he had learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and had no objection to try the job. The merchant handed him the money, and told him to make as good a counter as he could. The work was done with such promptitude, judgement, and finish, that his employer broke off a contract for the erection of a large frame warehouse,
which he was about closing with the same mechanic who had disappointed him in the matter of the counter, and gave the job to Henry.

15. The money was furnished, and Boyd was left to procure the materials and boss the job at his own discretion. This he found no difficulty in doing, and what is remarkable, among the numerous journeymen whom he employed, were some of the very men who took off their aprons at his appearance in the Englishman's shop! The merchant was so much pleased with his new warehouse, that he proceeded to set up the intelligent builder in the exercise of his trade in the city.

16.  Thus, Henry Boyd found himself raised at once almost beyond the reach of the prejudice which had well nigh crushed him. He built houses and accumulated property. White journeymen and apprentices were glad to be in his employment and to sit at his table. He is now a wealthy mechanic, living in his own house in Cincinnati; and his enemies who have tried to supplant him, have as good reason as his friends to know that he is a man of sound judgment and a most vigorous intellect. 

17. Without having received a day's schooling in his life, Henry Boyd is well read in history, has an extensive and accurate knowledge of geography, is an excellent arithmetician, is well informed in politics, having been for several years a regular subscriber to several of the best newspapers published

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