My father's training, as I have said, was practical, the course at the commercial college had taught me the rudiments of business, and I thus had a groundwork to build upon.

I was fortunate, also, in working under the supervision of the bookkeeper, who was a fine disciplinarian, and well disposed toward me.
When January, 1856, arrived, Mr.Tuttle presented me with $50 for my three months' work, which was no doubt all that I was worth, and it was entirely satisfactory.
For the next year, with $25 a month, I kept my position, learning the details and clerical work connected with such a business.

It was a wholesale produce commission and forwarding concern, my department being particularly the office duties.

Just above me was the bookkeeper for the house, and he received $2,000 a year salary in lieu of his share of the profits of the firm of which he was a member.

At the end of the first fiscal year when he left I assumed his clerical and bookkeeping work, for which I received the salary of $500.
As I look back upon this term of business apprenticeship, I can see that its influence was vitally important in its relations to what came after.
To begin with, my work was done in the office of the firm itself.