Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/141

Rh and he made a model host, cordial and hearty, and full of chat and anecdote. His conversational powers were of a high order, and the table talk and evening gatherings in the parlor were very delightful. He had as visitors clergymen from all parts of the world, and his children have delightful memories, at a little later period, of such men as Bishop Bickersteth, Rev. John Ker of Glasgow, Dr. McCosh, Dr. Monod of Paris, Dr. Thornwell of South Carolina, and many others.

In 1856 the bookstore was removed from 285 to 530 Broadway. He had a lease of the old store, but his landlord, without asking his consent, took away the light from the back of the store by building over the skylight, and at the same time took away one third of the front of the store by building a staircase there. The work was begun without giving the slightest notice. When he went down to the store one morning, he found the books had been taken down from one side of the front, and the workmen were starting the new stairway. Remonstrance was in vain; the landlord would not give in. A lawyer was consulted, who said that the case was a clear, though it might be a tedious one. But Mr. Carter decided to keep to his old resolution rather to suffer wrong than to go to law. He did not wish it said that one Christian man was suing another. He immediately began to look about for a store, and bought one on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street. In a few years it was worth twice what he paid for it, so his peace-loving propensities brought him nothing but good.

The old store at 285 was under the Irving House, where a great many colored servants were employed. One day the proprietor came to Mr. Carter and told him that one of the waiters was a runaway slave, and