In November, a new organ, that had been built for him at East Medway, was set up in his mother’s residence in Charlestown; and, from that time until the day of his death, it afforded him the means of a favorite recreation. His personal expenses this year, including his organ, books, and religious and benevolent contributions, were less than seven hundred dollars; and of this sum religion and charity took upwards of eighty dollars. His personal receipts were about thirteen hundred dollars; and the prospect in his business was highly promising.
Although he continued, as long as he lived, to keep an accurate account of all personal pecuniary affairs, no more will be copied, because his principles and practice in regard to them have been sufficiently shown by these summaries taken from his days of youthful privation, and from these later ones of sufficiency and promise.
At the beginning of the year 1847, he dissolves partnership with three members of the firm, and himself and his brother H. take the whole of the “Rambler.”
Early this year, also, he met for the first time the young lady with whom he afterwards became united in marriage.
Of the year 1847, he remarks that “it has been one of continual prosperity in my affairs. My health has been perfect, my plans prospered, and my spirits good; and, though it has been a year of severe toil, it has been one of almost unbroken happiness.”
In the early part of the year 1848, he is invited to join another gentleman in the conduct of a magazine; but he declines the offer. After considering some time the expediency of himself undertaking the publication of a new monthly, he matures his plans, and makes definite calculations. Finally, he commences work upon it; and soon after we read the following in his journal:—
“June 2, Friday. Pleasant and mild. It has been a day of trial and anxiety to me. After waiting all the week to have one form worked, I was obliged this afternoon to take them away from ——, and send them into H.’s. The paper is dried up and works badly.... Thus far I have been balked in almost every effort I have made for the magazine. In addition to our trouble with the hand I engaged for foreman last week, Mr. —— put us to a good deal of trouble by a mistake in counting out the paper, by which a thousand short of the number were printed, and nearly all the outside had to be reset.”
Soon after this we occasionally find the record of a day passed in mental pain and anxiety on account of some pecuniary disappointment.
The day that he was twenty-six years of age, he mentions a new source of trouble:—