settled the matter by April, and as a favourable opportunity had
presented itself for carrying on the same business on my own account,
I resigned my position.

In those days, in Cleveland, everyone knew almost everyone else in
town. Among the merchants was a young Englishman named M.B. Clark,
perhaps ten years older than I, who wanted to establish a business and
was in search of a partner. He had $2,000 to contribute to the firm,
and wanted a partner who could furnish an equal amount. This seemed a
good opportunity for me. I had saved up $700 or $800, but where to get
the rest was a problem.

I talked the matter over with my father, who told me that he had
always intended to give $1,000 to each of his children when they
reached twenty-one. He said that if I wished to receive my share at
once, instead of waiting, he would advance it to me and I could pay
interest upon the sum until I was twenty-one.

"But, John," he added, "the rate is ten."

At that time, 10 per cent. a year interest was a very common rate for
such loans. At the banks the rate might not have been quite so high;
but of course the financial institutions could not supply all the
demands, so there was much private borrowing at high figures. As I
needed this money for the partnership, I gladly accepted my father's
offer, and so began business as the junior partner of the new firm,
which was called Clark & Rockefeller.

It was a great thing to be my own employer. Mentally I swelled with
pride--a partner in a firm with $4,000 capital! Mr. Clark attended to