glory and distinction came to a sudden end.
There was some trouble about a license--some fee or fine--there was a
storm in the night that damaged the soda fountain and other
fixtures--there was talk and consultation between the houses of Antin
and Wilner--and the promising partnership was dissolved. No more would
the merry partner gather the crowd on the beach; no more would the
twelve young Wilners gambol like mermen and mermaids in the surf. And
the less numerous tribe of Antin must also say farewell to the jolly
seaside life; for men in such humble business as my father's carry
their families, along with their other earthly goods, wherever they
go, after the manner of the gypsies. We had driven a feeble stake into
the sand. The jealous Atlantic, in conspiracy with the Sunday law, had
torn it out. We must seek our luck elsewhere.

In Polotzk we had supposed that "America" was practically synonymous
with "Boston." When we landed in Boston, the horizon was pushed back,
and we annexed Crescent Beach. And now, espying other lands of
promise, we took possession of the province of Chelsea, in the name of
our necessity.

In Chelsea, as in Boston, we made our stand in the wrong end of the
town. Arlington Street was inhabited by poor Jews, poor Negroes, and a
sprinkling of poor Irish. The side streets leading from it were
occupied by more poor Jews and Negroes. It was a proper locality for a
man without capital to do business. My father rented a tenement with a
store in the basement. He put in a few barrels of flour and of sugar,
a few boxes of crackers, a few gallons of kerosene, an assortment of
soap of the "save the coupon" brands; in the cellar, a few barrels of
potatoes, and a pyramid of kindling-wood; in the showcase, an alluring
display of penny candy. He put out his sign, with a gilt-lettered
warning of "Strictly Cash," and proceeded to give credit
indiscriminately. That was the regular way to do business on Arlington
Street. My father, in his three years' apprenticeship, had learned the
tricks of many trades. He knew when and how to "bluff." The legend of
"Strictly Cash" was a protection against notoriously irresponsible
customers; while none of the "good" customers, who had a record for
paying regularly on Saturday, hesitated to enter the store with empty
purses.

If my father knew the tricks of the trade, my mother could be counted
on to throw all her talent and tact into the business. Of course she
had no Engli