Page:Life of Isaiah V Williamson.djvu/52

34 house. He was particularly successful with the Southern merchants, who at that time patronized Philadelphia more than any other Northern city. He used to go to see them at their hotels, won their confidence, entered into their social life, and thus obtained a large share of their trade. It is said that he sometimes sold goods to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars in a year—a phenomenal showing for a young salesman in those days.

It is not surprising, therefore, that after some time Burroughs was unwilling to work any longer on salary. He asked to be admitted to partnership. As Burroughs was too valuable a man to let a rival concern secure, Williamson acquiesced. Under the firm name of Williamson and Burroughs, formed in 1834, the business grew and prospered rapidly. Its sales were larger than those of any drygoods house in the city, and there were proportionately larger profits. Both men looked out with clear eyes over the city for opportunities to invest their earnings. Burroughs became one of the early presidents of the Commonwealth National Bank. Williamson soon began to