Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, October 9, 1875, Page 9

“BUSINESS KINGS. Tho Enormous Business of Our Jobbing Firms. Gone of the Lending Whole- gaic Hiouses of Chicago. 4ne0 Mammoth Establishment of John V. Farwell & Co. An Interesting Sketch of Fuller & Fuller’s Great Drug House. Qne Immonsity of Franklin Mac- Veagh & Co.'s Grocery Business, Tho Heavy Trade of John C. Partridge & Co, and Gago Brothers & Co, What Barnum Brothers Are Doing. A GUSY SEASON, A fino avidenco that thera ia 9 stoady and fa- rerablo movoment in the business of the West econ fn tho fact that all our prominent wholo- aslo houeos do a prosperoua trade in tho rogular qanons, ‘Tho presont time ia a superior exami ple of the polut claiinod, ‘The rogular fall and sintot soason for ganeral wholesale trade is Low sbout at ite climax, A survoy of tho local fleid shows that our Jobbing merchants aro doing "A TREMENDOUS BUKINESS. fuies aro being mado daily which in magnitude wl importance Lave waver Leow oqualed in Chi- sago. ‘Tho wholosate houses aro in o whitlof business from ao eaily hour iu tho morning, and stescen to bo lighted up until Into at night. trent shipmonte of good go out all over (he {festern country. Business is a8 frobh aud Lealutul as nt any time in the past, The men who aro buying of the jobbers of course oxpect to realize on thoir purchasox, aud itis thia foith that rotnil trado ta to be brisk, hich shows tho real amount of business vitall- ty oxisting ovorywhorse. Tho peopla who sro making things #o fively for tho Jobbera aro from every city, town, and village of tha whoto Wert. ‘Thoy must undorstand how MATICNS AT HOHE aroaituated, ‘The fact that thoy have been, and 1, buying heavily in Chicago is ovidences ough that the trade at thelr variaua localitics ‘swert. Your provincial city or country meot- spent ie not tho wort cf gentleman to atock his store with goods whiclt ho is not tolorably sure well, To noting tbo animation among our piaat jobbing ostablishments, the care- fol inepector ja likely to be strock with tho iden that thore ise oheorfnl unanimity {othe quantity of buainces doue by thom, All of the largor firms aro getting their ebare. No- body is out in the cold, or is passed chillily by, agthe visiting customera movo from store to store, Thero is av evenness in the amount of trade going on, and alt the Jobbing housow CONE 1N FOR THEM PHOPONTION, Of course thoro will always be certain oxten- sive eatablishmonte in tho representative lincs otttaple trade that will eara the lion's ebare of beainess in seasons like tho present. But this only proves what wo say, that all firms got tholr proportion of trado. It is justice that grent houses, of long and unfailingly honorable stand- tog, should como in for moro businece thao others, All wholossio housss in Chicago are doing well, nod alt doservo their ruxess, Some, howorer, must excol in general teyntation, oxperienco, and extent of trade, ‘Wo give bolow an intoresting sketch of somo jalf adozen of the pecuiiany BEPOLSENTATIVE MOUBES of ag many difforont lines of trado in Chicago. Tue very names of theao establishmonts carry force and rosponsibility, oud give a good nano alike to tho cily and to trade as a whole. ‘Thesa accounts of their prosout successful con- difon are accompanied by moutions of their Fut histories, showing each of them to havo ‘vorked from comparatively emall boginnings to Pealtlona of unoxcelled influcnco, Theo no- coantr are attractive not only aa showing that buinesa is flourishing, but se notable evi- deoces of what enterprise, intogrity, aod talbard work will nccomplish.” They furnish MODELY FOI TUR FAINT+HEARTED fhevery walk of business, The houses hero mentioned, haying beon a long tine identified ih the life and growth of this most peculiar of ‘'Idtiea, have wituosyed mutations of fortune ‘around them never veon in the samo nunober Olyearg elaewhore, That they have remamnod tuhaken amid all the changes of business ox- tence in Chicago {s something to encourage the whole morcantile world. ‘These Lousos are eogentially ropresentative of mest linew of trade. Itia by nomeans claimed \tat they aro the only heavy or responsible Arms iatheir respective liney, But thoy aro exch AMOND TUZ VERY YOUNOAT, tod ea auch aro reapectod and admired by their tls, whether thoso rivals be on a plane with im, or eituated below. They are typical or- Molzations in the grand details of long oxporl- ‘es, extont of capital, scope of business, and ‘minent reputation. Their high standing is an honor equally to themsolyos and thoir compati- for any calling which fs illuatrated by such eling examples ia bonedted in evory portion of Haro, } The goneral roader will notico, in bls perusal ct the appended ekotchies, that the wholesslo {made of Chicago ip UITEMLY INDEPENDENT OF TZ BAST. Thecity furnlahoa tho most complote facilities x outside purchasara in overy walk of trade, lo Western morchant {a obliged to go beyond ‘ cago to stock hisatoro, Everything to bo pina Any Enstera metropolis is to be found tet and the rule is that the goods are ‘lee, az and cheapor in Chicago than anywhera ate enonmoun stocks kept on salo; tho faoil- re all our new buildings for handling goods see smallest outlay of cout and labor; tho lingnees of our jobbers to pat up with sruall Percentages for the sake of ‘turning over the ad Y” f{ronnontly, ond the oxtent of our rail- ah near aa ro some of tho chlef reasaua they ‘unite to bring wholesale prices down to a loweat notoh, and to make Chicago tho i apest city in the country for a man to buy bis lock in, on years ago, fully one-half of tho Weat- i Merchants looked to the East for their Npplles. ‘The dealer who now goea beyond 0 for anything ho desires in the way of {ya curiosity at homo and abroad. Our wholesale men have eo strengthenod and Talened thoir buuiuess that moat of them do Ka own importing, and, whsre domeatic goods handied deal dirootiy with the maoufsoturey oe Yow of them now know of no mediums bos con themselyes and the immediate producers + America and Europe, Thisie food at CONCENTRATION OF ADVANTAGE eh business, aod pute thom where it is im- i ble for Eastern houses to outbid them for Kéoeral Western patronage, ‘Tha tems notioed below tisye all the facilites jnat montioned to an ultra dogreo. In all things, Vheroforo, they are strictly reprosontative of tho boat trade intereatd of Chileago, Thele futuro rocord is cortaiu to bo commensurate wilh their paat biatory,—brilliant, rotiahlo, and progrossive, ——- JOHN V. FARWELL & CO. A roviow of tho ponition and condition of thin gtoat dry goods toune ls particulary appropriate at tho present timo. ‘To-day ia tho snuivarsary of Chicago's destruction, Elsowhero in thia tssue ‘wo notice the yoarty work of progress since our fast annual record of tho course of reconstruc- tion, The condition of tho city four yenrs ago rouuiros no amplifying upon hero, but tina is a specially fitting placo to chronicle a piece of dutoresting history. An important Incident of tho early steps toward roconatruction evinced tno confidence ro- pored in tho businoas Judgmont of tho firm of John V. Farwall & Co. The advico and counsel of tho mombers of thin houso was thon publicly sought ond as publicly givon. Tho fulfill- ment of thoir predictions Is now » mattor of common knowledge to all the world. While the ruins of Chicago woro still smoking, ami tho sky nb night atill glowod with the lurid 0oga is aot ouly. mk patus glare of the rcarcely half-conquerod ombers. & mocting of merchants was callod for mutual counaol. Mr. G, I. Farwell, then and naw mombor of Congreas from the Third Ilinoin District, was called to the cbatr, aud Jonn V. Farwoll, nonior momber of tho flrm, was tho first gentloman ro- quoste? to oxpross his views of the situation ond prospects, Sia firm hed lost vory heavily, and his opinions woro held to have ® most prac- deal weight. UF KESPONDED AT ONCE, oclaring tho situation to bo crilical but not hopoless, and exprogeing it as bia farvant opin jon that overything depended upon tho action of tho sesemblod ropresvntative morchants. , Chicago, ho tereely said, was | living = business == fact." — ‘It had faced all varieties of opposition in the past from competitors, and had thrived under tho trestment. He forono had no idea that the city could bo materially hindered in its deatined greatnees by the dre, Ho cousiderod that all that was wantod was a firm intogrity of purporo to meet all obligations so far aattheir means would pousibly permit, Those obligations tauat bo met without flinching. ‘They must only asic such time as they sended to gather up the ashes of their business, and must begin anew; not dizcouraged by what bad happened, but moro doterminod than oyer to make Chicago tho centre of the whols Northwostorn trade. Thay could do go if they would, and conld do it soon, ‘THESE CARNEST SENTIMENTS were recoived with hoarty applauso. Thoro was but ono dissontor to the honorable, manly viows, aud ho wag a liquor doalor who proceeded to ad- vocate & uviverss! and shameful repudiation, ‘but was promptly biesed out of the meoting. Wo can give no better individual Ninstration of how thoroughly Mr. Farwoll's prophecy las ecu workod out than has been shown in tho history of his own hone, AN IMPLOVISED WOOD RUANTY “accommodated” Julin V. Ferwoll & Co, for about thirty days after the firo, after which thoy moved into a brick warehouse 46 by 190 fest, and from this again, at the expiration of threo mootby, intoa larger ono adjoining. Tho yoar following, the arca of this luster warchouse, 90 by 10) feet, was doubled, the addition ‘being ole- Buntly Attod up, on o prominont corucr, av tv palesroom. The other portion, as now, way nsed for daplicato stock and packing-rooms. This increase in room, for tho uso of one firm, Indicates the growth of business in Chi- cago wince the firo, Tho city may woll bo proud of such houses, Thoy havo been tho seed trom which has eprung up 4 host of new firme, which, togothor with the old ones, havo FILLED THE UNSIGUTLY PLACES of tho charred walls and ruins of four years ago. The whole brond arca of tho South Division's burnt district ia no nearly covered with impos- ing atructuros, stretching from tho Itinola Cone tral Dopot and tho lake to the South Branch of tho river, and from the maiz river to the now Custom-fouse. The prompt action of firms tile that of John Y, Farwoll & Co. was what led to all this swift and noble change, Cornora on ronts are hopelexsly out of tue question in Chi- cago, and landlords, while they ca olwaya ob- tains fair roturo on their buildings hore, can novor hope to play shark auccoasfully, THE PREAENT LOCATION of this firm is tho fourth one it has bad ainco starting in Chicago. It is uow at tho coruer of Franklin and Monroo etreeta, In hoavy and sub- wtantial buildings admirably adaptod to all its wants. Every movo which tho firm bas mado in tho past has beon necerslistod by a lack of room. ‘Tho rapid growth of ita trade hiss proved each establishment too confined, and it is only fu their prosent quactora tbat the mambers of tha fiem seem to have grappicd the problem of bow to bo propared for the apparontly nevor-onding enlargement of thoir trade. Thoy own o full half block where thoy now aro, and this, thoy asnert, means that they do not intond to be arafiu drivon out for wont of room, at least for somo time to como. ‘ Mowers, John V. Farwoll & Co. sro chiody ra- sponsidte for tho starting of » now businces contre, and for making what, in snto-lire days, roomed destined to bo an eternally valueless portion of the city, into o thriving business quarter, Thov have econ their judgmont in ro- lation to tho desirability of thia section fully verified, dozons of leading tirms having clustor- od within a fow blocks of thom inside of the past four years. They claim with justice, also, to have done the wholo city A DINKCT PRACTIOAL BENEFIT by equalizing real oxtate valnow over o largo dis- trict, and by lowering ronta in tho same gener ous ratio that tho city hea boon oulargod. They havo roclaimed what was formerly undosirablo, and have aided most matorially in changing Cni- eago’s businogs area fron s single focus of trado structures to the extent of a true motropolis. ‘Chia bringing of other grast firma iuto their neighborhood bad becn s matter not accom- plished inaday. Tho whrewdest of real estate doalera and genera! morchants hod become wo accustomed, before the tire, to regard thix part of the town au ono of at Joost third-rate impor- tance that ir was a difloult task for them to #o tadically chango tholr minds. The change, howevor, tas wrought, and the land in tha vi- cinity of the Farwells waa rated with the best in tho city for $he erection of wholesale cstab- Uahments. Immonse buildioga now congregate in tho vi- elnity once noticoabla chiefly for diegracoful rookeries. ‘The idea wot been to tajuro property elsewhere in cho south Division, but to equalize valuve allaround. ‘The tirm havo redeemed what once threatened to he a perma- nont blotch in the heart of Chicago, TUE TRADE, Of this firm roaches all over tho Wostorn States, and far inte the Torritorica. ‘I'he dry goods wold by J, V. Varwoll & Co, are accopted os standard everywhere, for deslory have long since learned that the bongo haudtoa the noweat and olulcost of goady, and that whet tt cays it meaua; what it promivos it Hvew upto, ‘Lhe busincus of tho firs is so ayutematized and divided that ite vaet salea sto made with cclority and with the wini~ mum of frlotion. It reovives its goods direct from almost svory portiun of cho world, and sends them out to oyery noox and corner of thu Northwoot. It always keops ita cuatumura ; mar- chonts buying froim it tha present fall. who bought from it yours ago when the hoveo was in ita “infanoy, ‘Tux Tamone woll remembora whoo tho present senior of tho ftirat himuelf sold most of the goods, kept the books aud managod the fluences, and way not worried with overwork eithor, ‘THE GROWTH of the firm's business from what it was thon to what itis now can be graphivally illustrated. During tho mouth of Soptember laat thore wore finglo daye in which thy wales were doubly largor '¢Man fora whole year in the oarller history of the dru. The sales one he Aled foonth reached tha uraud figure of $200,000, which tells the etary of this firm's influence and mayuitude of trade moro eloquently than columns of 6) oat dewoription oo! Boch figur: opehk for tbomselves, They indicate that Ch: jal busingan centrd, “at CI the futuro greatness of which ven now fully a,preciato, city los Beme more wha ara ubia to keop nght abrosst of hor warnidioont proyreds. Controlling au enormona irade, and managed by tnen who have national reputations for ener: fi probity, sud furosight, this ontablishinent hold’ #teadily on in the course ft haa ba tong followed, giving the beet of coods at the fairest of prices, and living infloxibly up to tho spirit and lottor of ita statements. It ima typical Cal- cigo institution, blonding unqualstiod Quterpring with o wine conservatiom ; inviting rather thaa foaring {rir competition, and commaniting the feos will and good words of rivals, patrous, aud a goneral community. fow mon but wlso that the —_——— FULLER & FULLER, Tho ono atara tuat fa iuovitably and always picturosque is 8 drug-atoro. Tho dullost country village has ite ono muddy atrect rolieved, at night, bythe flash of tho many-colored Shrain tho spothecsry’a windows. ‘Lio wtore ttwelf in the central point sround which tho health of tho community revolves. Evorybody haa to tato moro or Jess medicine, and the homely horme- brewed concoctions of our grandmothory havo given place tothe scientific preparations that erawd tho apothecary'’s sholves. Hig store is the Meces to which suxtous parents turn whon thoir children lie on a bed of sickness, to which tho husband turns for relief for his wife, tho wife for her husband,—somebody for overyhudy, ‘Tho powders, and pills, and pottons, compounded aud sold there are the weapons with which WH FIUUT DRATIC atop by step, and often drive himaway, Thoso Weapons aro prepared for ua the world aver. Noture in forced to yield up her secrets that ‘Tom may live. Christendom aud heatheadom aro both raneacked for specifica which wall keep somo Mary alive. ‘The countless array of drugs thus procured ero ubipped from far and wide to the great cities, and thence distributed to tena of thousands of drug-stores, and ko to millions of homes, Chicago ia the natural distributing contre of tho Northweat. Sho is as far advanced in the control of the drug-trade os in that of athor all-i:nportant judustrics. ‘Tho house which Tie Tatauxe has selected aa tho repro- fontative of thia bustue- hero in that of PULLER & YULLER, at Nos, 23, 24, aud 26 Marknt streot, between Nandolps aud Lake, The selection hay boon uindo biscause this id tho largest and beat tusti- tition of the gort, not only in this city, but anywhere west of New York. Ita equal is sesrcely to be found, in fact, from the Atlantic tothe Pacitic. Like most very good things, it 1s aerowty, When the senior partner, Mr, O. I Falter, waa a lad of 15, he bogau to learn tho business, In Febrnary, 1852, ho brought his rips expotivnce aud trained ekill to bear in ataraung n Urst-class drug-house in this city. He hag ween bis adopted heme aud hig ¢hoson businoxa grow. ond grow ata gigautic rato, togethor, He did an osvcp- tionally large business the firit yeur, but now his yeurly trangactiony aro twonty-fivo Cimtos na xtontas they ware theu. ‘he guccaky of the firta of Faller & Fullor, Messra. O. F. and HH, W., naa been wor, not by good Iuck, but by hard work. In the first twelvomanth of the formor's career Lore, his placo on Lake street wan tcurchod by fire, and this was only a promonition of the disaster Koven yoarn afterwards, when tho flames found tho firm's store on Frapklin stroot, and loft only ashes to tell where li hrd been, In compeusstion for these cisun: MAMBO QUARTERS now occupied, on Market, were spared fn 197], ‘This block avd ono other wore the sulo roimaias of the businoss quarter when tho sun roxo after. that red Octuber night, ‘Tho preservation of thoir wholo stock wax an Immengo advantago to tho firm, Thoy did not lose a day by tho dis- ustar that cost somo of their would-be competi tora months. Aga result, their alroady great cliontago tos enormously increased. Thoy now gall goods fro Ofo to California, It ia not ofteu that a house hera docs much osst of In- diauapolia, but Faller & Fuller do a largo bna!- noss tn Olio Mono, From tho roiling prairtea of tho Muckeyo State tothe slopes of the Pacitio Const, tho brand of * Fullor & Fuller" lurky in nearly every drug-storo on box, aid bale, and packago. ‘Chat brand means sovoral tuiugs. It moans, first, 4 PERFECTLY PURE DRUNK, Adultoration ia po easy and wo profitable that it i@ unblushingly practicod. Only o highty- trained tnsto, often only a acientijlo analysis, ean tell whethor s particular proparation is puro ornot, Butit it is nat, tho differance butweou tho thing prescribod and tho thing tusion may bo tho difforonce botween lifo and death. A dis- honest wholnsalo druggist rune tho riak of kill- ing by wholesale for tho sake at his dishonest Rains, Whon you buy goods of him, you do not Hat goods ot all; you got bads. No witch reproach cau bo brought against thia preat firm. 2ts suc- cosa ia s atriking proof that honesty ia tho beat policy, ‘Tho stamp “Fuller & Fuller" is a guarantoo of honost drags. It ly a ssnonyin the for full weight, too. The average man’s idene of a seruple, — drachut, ete, aro of tho most lazy charactor, aud he cau thorofore bo choated with iapunity. ‘Pwo yenrs ago, every druggist io a cortain quar- terof London was consicted for using falso weights, and tined. It was an ora of general in- vextigation, Home thousands of other denlors were convicted at tho samo time. it madsa (reat. sousation, and ‘Tom llughes, the famous English author aod politician, who then repro- sovted tho district iu Variiament, lost his soot Dbesause 19 denounced tho nefarious practice, ‘the ovil may not bo a8 wido-aproad here, but itis nevertheless groat. It fiudy uo place, Lowavor, iu tho extablishmonut of Fullor & Fuller. Horo, thon, wo have two groatreauous of success,— puro goods and fult muasure. Tuore are fow yareous who havo beon in buainoss for thom- selves for noarly 9 quarter of s coutnry who cau point to xu good a 1ucord us tho monbers of this house, ‘Tho frm has s largo capital at ite disdoaal, and uses it with aduurablo tact. The firm, too, haa a largo stat of skilled employes and 6 great amount of till INWINE ITS OWN TWO FADS, Tho Messrs, Faller havo tho business at thoir Gingors’ ouds, A lifetime's dovotion to it has taught thom evorylhing the druggist uecds to know. ‘fue site of their building ie no mean advantage in itwolf, ‘They occupy three largo stores, Nos. 22, 24, 36 Markot streot, which run back from that broad avenue totho river, ‘Than, a8 o mattor of fact, thoir pricon aro BINGULARLY Low, —lower, In many casos, thun thoy wero beforo tho War, importing part of thoi stock directly from Europe, they save dealers’ and joo bers’ protita, and cau aiford to supply first-class goods at very low rates. Their threo stores aro filied from turret to foundattonatano—whica iy the Walter Beott way of sayiny from basomont to garrot—with desks, clerks, and druge. Bealdes the oightoon floors thus occupied, thay bare to hire storaye- room outuide. Ono floor ws given up to the ottice. That fs. 1 was so given up, but growing busloess has compelled the tiem to line it with cupboards, aud to filleven the spaco benoath tho inauy desks with drawers sod sholves, Tho deuks# themselves encroach upon the oor-room touch au extont that the visitor bas to tread his way along narrow aislos. Tho office ix decorated with rich stained glass, in which boauty aod advortiaing aro huppily combined. ‘The representative of Tux Lnmoxe loft the office in company with Mr, O. F. Puller to make the tour of rooms which contain tho LARUEST STOCK OF DAVOS in tha Northwest, Tho largo packing aud ship- poe dopartmonts are like thoge of any immenso usines, but the floors above are wniquc. Btrongoly-packed balos exhale aromatic odors. Tho products of avery quarter of the globs lio sido by side, Hore fa a ponderous package of sarvaparills, bound up in the lides of cattle that ence roamed Coutral Amorioan pisins, Great bulea of urulca and chamoniile dowora, which watt astrango fragrance through the au, Hls- tory telly us of tho UANGING GARDENH OF HARYLON, built to auit adespct's whim, aud rich in overy flower. Io thevo lofts we find a sort of hanging gardou,—a long stretch of planks aupended from sho ceiling and covered with the Jowors of every chme,—dried, but ucne the less medicinal, aud wonrcoly loss fragrant. Golug through the great ostablisument iv like taking a course iu jreogra- phy. Every part of the world is represented. ‘Tho drug business ovorlaps several others. It includes puinty and oila, ete, ote. Putter & Fuller aro prepared, i fact, to equip a deny store with disponsing counters, casce, glasuod, show-jard, sigts, and every podviblo varioty of drugs, ‘The furnish a eucgeon with bia tools, They offer you yoorchoice of 105 hinds of ail with which to dress a aslad or gronsea o locomo- tive-azlv, You cau solect your favorite bitturs irom a nunared varieties, Two dozen bair-dyos will onablo you to disguise your ego. You can get enough chloroform here tu lui! the world to weop, and enough rubber rings for the world’s babies to cut tholr ‘prentico tcoth upon. You cau buy PROPRIETARY MEDICINES iu ondlogs voriety. You can find pure wines end Tguoes. I¢ you aro anxious to diucover tha sort of camedy Othello bad ia mind when he eaid his tears druppod —oa fast aw tho Arabian tress Their wud'ciasbie gun, @ling addressed to ullor & Fuller, Chicago," wilt bring you samples forthwith. Curlyle could os enough mortars aod pastes here ty bray his * forty: sites mostly foots" of The sree AGO TRIBUNE: SATURDAY. OC’ Englishinen, uaa aroaen of bleeds, une, FOBER 9, “1875.—IWELVE PAGES, 9 nninbered thousands of corks, tons of soap, 8 fiyrial of boxes. sid bales fram every zone, a bewitdering varity of wacea. Tho cuntomera of 0. Foand H.W, Fuller are courtemply and fairly treated. They theratoro come and come again. ‘Tho firm'adrnga ars nover 8 dry on the iarkel, and they thommelven nro the represent- aave dnyehoute of tha Wert. Ax such. THe ‘Tuners imtraduces tiem to ite hundred thou- sand readers. - — FRANKLIN MAC VEAGH & CO. A natural leader among the wholesale grocory busine-4 of Chicago atands tho firm of Franklin MacVonyh & Co. Sagacity of administration, xcope of business, and a pocutiarly Chicagoiah spirit of ontorprise, aro tho twain causes which unite to give the Louro this predominance. Tho Dueiness transacted undor the guidance of the {itt is known to bo larger than that done by any Rtocory Louse in the West, and, wilh » singlo exception, is grenter than that of any American eriabliebment in its line of trade, This stato- mont 1s A MATTEROF CONCEDED FACT. snd of conrdo can be substantiated by obstinate figures Waenover requintte, ‘uo furtber mag- uitude of tho hours will Le approciated whoo it id known that it carries tho largast varioty of Hrocerios ever Landled by a single catabliahment in thiscountry. ‘Sins includes at! the goods prop: erty comiug tnder the head of groceries, and embraces forvign and domuatic articl os ne well ay tnodo of the plainest and most staplo nature. All nations and climes aro under tribute, and the grout warcrooms of Fi lin MacVengh & Co. constitute a actival exposition of everything m the way of Htucuties which the world produces. ‘Tue buidiuy, s large five-story brick structure, gituated at tho comer of Wabash avenue aod Jako street, is a grand storehouse, au inspec: tion of which is of peculiar interest. Here aro constantly received and shipped THE ENONMULH CONDIGNAENTS of goods waich have g:veu, wud will donbtlesa Jong continuy to give, the house ite immcueo prostige as tho cuieftoiu iu ity line of trade ib tho Wost. Av onumeration of oven tho greator claxaifl- cation of articios soid by Franklin MacVoagh 4 Co. wonld tax tholimits of this skeich too sovoroly. ‘Tho unprecedented extent and varicty of the goods Lendicd by the house can best be understood by a study of TH ANNCAL CATALOGUE issuod by tho firot. ‘lua sets turth clearly ovory great aud minor clare of articles solt, aud tz at unce interesting and valuable, The catalugue for the presout year will bo ready early this fall. ‘Tho history of the firm dates back over tea years. It wav organized in 1hG5 as Whitaker, ilarmon & Cu,, aud tho third year following it becaine kvown aa Harmon, MacVeagh & Mosucr. Thia conttoued until Jan. J, 1570, when tho present organization was perfected, and the firia Mame of Franklin MacVosgh & Co. waa por- manently adopted. The pattnerehin ombraces four woll-uown gontlewen—Afossra. Franklin MacVeogh, the ion. Wayne MacVeagu, of Pounzylyania, John B. Raywoud, aud weury C. Baraurd, ‘The system under which its busineun is cou- ducted “iy both comprehensive and radically on- torprisiug. 1t in really a combination of wholo- kalo grocory housce uuder one gonoral adininis- tration. Uefore the fouuding of this firm it was the rulo that even the largest grocery evtablish- ments should contive themeclyes principally to indtvidual lines. EACH KOUKE HAD ITH SERCIALTY, and what other goods wero bandied woro kept wubyidiary to that spociuity, The members of the firm ‘conceived that it would prove bene- ficial to themselvor, to the trade, and to tio conmuunity, to combine ml of the specialtios under one organization, ‘The wuccoss which tho house hug attained, and its peerless position in tho oyes of deslors aud tho public, ia proof enough of tho wisdow of its courae, ’ bas nucceeded lo accomplishing oxactty what it set ourtedo. ‘This, hawever, bas been mindo pose mble ouly by the immesiato uvailsbility of large capital, by brosd executive ability on the part of the tina managers, und by instituting GRAND SEPAUATE DEPARTMENTS under the charge ef persous expert in tho spo- cial requirements of those departmenta, ho main divisions of buatmess now united in this great house are appended: Ktaplos. Baucy rocorias, Hpteos, Grocore’ sundrios. Wooden ware. Provisions. Tu all of thege it has bosn the stes Sfast sim of the Louso to wut as mesrly as possible to the pro- ducors, ‘Tho doluys and addod costs of miidle- jney have thus beoo ayuidod, Obtaining its goods at first Laud, the firm of Fraukiin Mac- Veagh & Co. bes boon ablo to deal wht ite own? patrous on terms much moro satisfacory to tho Iatter than is commonly the case with wholeaale grocers. The iri imports ite tess nud faucy grocerios. In ite tobacce department it has acquired agonctos which give it ail the advautago of maputactur- orm, Ita lead in the provision department is greatly attributable to the fact that it buys meats Tour cash before eming, and hus them cured spe- cially for ite own trade ; aud also that it buys ite ugh, both salt and Jase, direct from tho hsbor- men, aud has the inppacting and packing done under its own supervition, In its spica depart- mout it has attained aueh gratifying succoas as to warraut it in erecting a coitoe and spice mill. ‘This will bo done within a short time, and, with the facility whieh tho houso enjoyy for purchas- ing from “ first hands," will onable it to piace it~ el say ona the palo of competition in this apo- ciaity. . We have alroady noticod tho foot that tho various grand dopurtmenty of tho house are in eburgo of OENTLEMEN WHUGE BXPERIENCE in their respuctive fines, and thorough familiarl- ty with the demands of the trade, onsblo them tu conduct their individual dopartmouts with uniform success. Tho prospority of tho house, and ity popularity evorywhoro, havo been yroatly enbauced by these goutlemonu, Tho mavager of the tobacco and cixar dopartmont is Mr. J. G. Davia. The tea department is undor tho control of Sr. FE. Warnard, That of faucy grocerios ig managed by Mr. Georgo D. Wheaton. ‘The othor depart munty uro wuperintended by differ- opt mombors of the frm. A genoral wir of thrift and neatness pervades the oatire catablishinent of Frauklin MacVoagh & Co, Ten years ago tho hesd of this bons was tho first lo onuuciato tho thon utartling idea fli os wholesalo grocary establishment could bo op CLEAN AND BFSPECTADLE inappearance, ‘Tbis theory way soon enforced by practice, und tho ollicos and stora-rvoms of othor great grocery housos wore, aftor s tiny, ol the tdiar for go good a mode). Av tho house was the tires to evolve tho ides in question, 0 has itromuined tho first to iuprovo upon that idea, and itu establishment has now all the ole- gauco und order which might be expected ia so oduuirably managod an institution, THE suPEWoR suore of this firm’s trade is woe in the fact thet it does # culitinuous, & growing, and au always satisfactory bualuves in nineteen groat States and Territorios, It trado stretches woll aigh neroad the coutinent westward, reaching to tho vory odgo of California. It Lay an oftice, with a resident agout, at Salt Lako City, Mr, B. W. E. Suununs being regularly ostabushod therv. Wibm onother month the housa will have a rewident agent aluo in Douvor. Indeod, tho posorbilitics of ity locating rogular doputica in evory cevtral point in the wholo Woat and South wom to be limited only by tho hinity of tho country itself. Now Urleans ie directly tribu- tary, the trio doing a Jarge commission business in sugar, molnuses, rice, ete., from that city. ‘bis feature of its trade tt expoota to largely in creade the prevent season, Wo bave observed that the firm is doing » “pvowing ” business, This is proved by tho fact that ite sales aro STEADILY INCREASING. Largo os has bean its business in the past, its salen for the month of Soptomber wee in ad- vance of apy precoding rough ta ita history, Pho members of the houvo of Franklin 3ec+ Veagh aro wove know and booored, uot ouly in tho world of busivess, but also ia tho braght places of = public und acclal axe intence, ‘Pho sonfor membor, as head of tho Citizens’ Aggociation and in otuer emincnot atstionsy, has shows the Wast that a map may do high public servico thorcugh)y aod foar- Iegaly, aud yet uot be w politician or udice-huuter, Avothor member of the firra, Wayno MacVeagh, of Pounayivauia, bas a reputation vations! iu ity extent, a4 & ian who: big Stata hotored, witb credit to Lumyolf in every ingtance. Tho other asecciatoy in the control of the house are gontie- men occupying pleauant places iu the good will of tho trade and the goueral comamuity. Tn the maguituds of ite operations, the vim and enterprise of ita mansgement, the bouorabla record of ali its transactions, and tho talont snd posttion of itu members, the wholesale grocery hovso of Franklin MacVeagh & Co. ranks with the foremost buslnoss institutions of America, —_— JOHN CG, FARTRIDCE & CO, A business house which has continued in thrive ing existences, uoder the same firm name, for fventy years, le @ consplencus feature td the oldent business housed hero, having been estab- Eshod In 1255. Tho misfortune of fira overtook tho firtn threo times, once in 1857,—again in 1850,—and the third timo in 1871 whon‘the city was destroyed. THF ENEROY AND DETEMMINATION to wuccerd enabled them t> treather tho dis- oster, and, again on their feot, they bogso the — prodigious strides which havo carried them on to fortunate achiovotment. From ® comparative humblo beginning they have dovalanod into tho largext house of the kind in the West, and carry tho greatest variety of goods of any wimilar firm inthe country. As heforo atated, the firm deals in faucy goods and toys, trade oxhibit of any city. In Chicago, ® mo- tropolis canentialty youthful and changing, it ia pecuitariy raro to know of anch & euncern. There aro firros that hava seon yoars approact- ing, and even going beyond, a fult double do- cade, but the flagers of asinglo hand will anf- fice tocount the houros that have Invted ander one firm name anywhere near that porind. Tho tobacco establishment of John C. Par- tridgo & Co. las been koown and admired io Chicago and throughout the West ninco 1856. Organized thot veer, it has bold steadily along under the same title, iuereaning in wtrevgth, ex- tent of trado, and gonoral intluonce, until it is to-day ono of the foremost businosa institutions of the country, ‘The houge waa firet located near the corner of FIDELITY SAFE DEPOSITORY. FOUR YEARS AGO INCLUDING EVERYTIMNG from tollet articles, razors, cutlory, mirrors, Almost evorything in Chicago, in Randolph and Dearborn atrectr, but in about | pipes, musical goods, stationery, paines, fishing hi ff Me D os, four years’ tine ita domanda had go enlarged | tackle, rupver goode, Bolemian plans, bird cages, the shape o: onoy, Doods, that it'wan foread to noe broador apace forits | ote., to tho million aud one articles uade furtia Bonda, Jowols, end Miscol- headquarters, It established ituel? in 1860 at Nos, 44 and 60 Dearborn atroct, where it re- tained, wazing strong in tbe good opinions of all who were brought Into any kind of relations with it, until certain momorabie October morn- ing in 1871, wheo the groat building met the sane fate that bad befallen such enormous quantities of its goods in tho past,—ending in smoke. It soon waa beard from again. however, and locating itvelf at the present imposing and commodious structure, No. 47 Lake and 41 Stato streets, it has ever since continued ta increase iu importance and bonorabln repute, Tho record of thohoueo of Jolin C. Partridgo & Co. is one of sterling credit to iteelf aud to Cli- cago. Panies, monster conflagration», and pro- longed trade niaguation bave been nmable to impair ity bigh reputation, Ono liundred conte on the dollar for every debt it incurs, aud the money ready TNE, WINCTE ADREED TON, haa been its unvarying rule. Ithas aver stood stnusement or delectation of children. lanoous Valuables, was Destrayed by Lire! in tho cage of whatever wea stored in tho FIDELITY Control- ling factorion for tho manufacture of those goods, being in direct communication with makers of the game in England, Gormany, and Franes, and importers of everything non-dames- tic that they handio, patrons can rely npon tirst- eijacs goods aod depend that the prices will bo reasonable. Tre nUsINESA of Barnum Brothors is enormous, For the nest three months their sales will avurage from £175,000 to €200,000. Taoir ator, which iv at tho numbers abovo given, tho interior of which inn veritabla curiosity shoy, wes one of the firet pnt unin the burnt district, Jaly 1, 1872, and in five stories sud of marble. ‘Thoir alos- men are continually on tho road, anJ cover a vrodigivus area of country, making rezular trips as far south a8 Silver City, New Mexico, aod west to Califurmua, ——— ‘The Original Mary’ Little Lnmb. ready at ail tliacn to anticipato payment and dis- | A writer in the Bpriagfleld Republican bas had S APE DEPOSIT ORY ‘ count itv paper whenever desired. | Whon it 16 | pleasant interview wit tha real atary who lied WLULtde a ltttiolamb, and who related to him the inci- dente on which tho immortal poom was basod. The lamb was a twin, thruat out of the pen by ity unnatural mother, Marytook it home and nursed it until wall, aud it naturally grew inte a great pet. Onetmorhing when it wah to go as usual to tho pactura it conld not be found, and when Mary wont sing: Og on ber way to school it followed her ; ut the scuvol-houge door abo pick- ed it up and managed to carry it secretly to ber desk, where sue covored itup with ber shart. Bat when called up to her spelling-claca the Jamb got up too, and came pattoring after Ler, which made the children langn to see lamb at echool. It happoned that morning that a young tan pamed Jobn Rowiston, the son of a riding- monstor in Boston, who wan Gtting tlmeelf for iarvard, vax in the schoo}, and s fow days aftor- wards, produced threo verses of the poem. How it over came to bo publisted Mary did not know, forthe young man died soon after, ix- norant of ¢ho immortality of bis verses. But the lamb lived and bod fivo lambkina tefore it met its death by an augry cow. Aside from ita memory thore Jot remaits of it tho residun of » child's stocking, which 1s gradually unravelltog to furnieh memantocs for the many friends of Mary and her hittle lamb, by this principle for over nineteen years, in tho faco of unparallelod variability of trade all sround it, the reader will havo 8 good ides why Jobn C. Partndge & Co, ranké so high in the cetoem of the business world and the genoral community, ‘The partnership from the outant has conristed of Mr. John C. Partridge, of Chicago, and Mr, Lorin Palmer, of Now York, Two othor gentlo- ™mon have boon conetantly associated with tho partners in attondiug to the business of tho nouse, These aro Mr. Willkam Bast and Mr. W. Hi. Rusaoll, both gentlemen of thorough businoss training, and Loth practically familiar with all tho greater and lesser details of tho tobacco trade, Tey havo rocently been sd- mitted to @ participation in the profits of the houre. . THY, MAGNITUDE AND GROWTH Of this firm's trado ie aimatter of simple, alboit very handsome, figures. ‘ho first year of its history it did a business of abont $59,000. lta presont annual business aniounts to fully 1,00u,- 00. It ships ats xoods to every State and Ter- ritory in the West, and its trade oxtends in swift and steady proporticn to the growth of the country. it sells gota mainly of its own maanu- facture, although it bandies all tho Lest varieties of tobacco, cigars, and miscellaucoug snickers’ goods known to tho trade, Tho Louse ia Chicago agent for the Now York establishment of P. LOUILLARD & CO. ‘ This is the largest tobacco house in the world. Esteblighod in 1760, tho Lonllards have boon known through succeeding genorations for over aw hundred years. ‘Their yoods sro standard in every quarter of the giobe, Their trado iy simply tremonSous. An idea of its enormous magnitude may ba gathered from the fact that in nine euccossive years P. Lorillard & Co, have paid tho United States the sum of $13,210,- $42.82 1p taxos, The firm of P, Loriltard & Co. is celobrat- ed forthe uniform excellouce of its goods, If it haa any special ominence tu one or toore linea of its grades, it ia in plug tobacco and snuff, which w mado by this firm #4 near perfection as will probably ‘ever bo attained. The plug tobaceo and snuff from tho factories of i. Tonllard & Co. sro staple goody tho world over. Peoploin every country, wuo nse tobacco in any shape, Lave learved that absolute reliance can bo placed upon everything bearing the stamp of P. Lorillard & Co. - Glencing again at tho homo establishment, wo find that chief among the brands of goods manufactured by Jobn C. Partridge & C3. ts tho celebrated * Golden Crown” cigar, which ls a favorite {n every quarter of the country. Its popularity ia attested in the fact that it haa boon IMITATED AND COUSTZRFEITED EXTENSIVELY. Tho pablic, however, is not slow to discriminate Detweon tho gonuine and spurious, and we aro gladto learn that dealora and smokers mato s#uro iu purchasing their ** Goldon Crowne“ that the fragrant goods bavo really been manufac- tured by nobody save Jobin C, Partridge & Co. ‘The house, amoug ita other excellent goods, also handles the “ vaANITY Fain" emoking tobacco, put up. by AVilliam S. Kimball & Co, of Rochestur, N.Y. This fine tobacco is slaved from tho beat uataral loaf for meor- schanm and cigarotto purposed. St roceivod tho highest award at tho Vienus Exposition, and iy 8 favorito with all who uso it, it bay had tha highest indorsoment from prominont partics all over tho country, who agreo that " Vauity Fair” is the perfection of smoking tobacco, It is scathing, fratifying, and altogether adinirablo, Large ordors for * Vauity Fair" tobacco are coustsutly being recoived from Luropenn coun- tries. Tho uniform and deserved success of the house of John OC, Partridge \ Co. is evidence euough of tho worth aud integnty of ite man- agors. We can add little to what is palpable concerning tho mon at tho head of the estab- lishment. But it la duo to Ms. Partridge to say that his eminence socially, and as a public- spirited citizen, is commotiantate with his post- tion aa progrossive, invaluable mau of busi- ness, His associates, ofso, aro gentlemen of long-proved probity aud uuvarying succous. Al- together, wo can call to mind uo trade-ostabluh- ment which bes reached 2 highor grade in the good will of Wostorn merchanta and tho com- munity as& whole thao that of Joha 0. Part ridge & Co. —e— GAGE BROTHERS & CO. Close upon twonty years has tho wholesale millinery house of Goge Brothers & Co. bean growing in acopo, influence, aud the good opinious of all who have had relations of any kina with it. It is to-day a leador smong tho grost trado inatitutions of Chicago, and the head and front of millinory buaineas in tho Weat. ‘While it may be ploasact to dwell upon the rocord of ‘THIS YAVORITE ESTADLISUMENT, wo can find even moro of interest in viewing its prosont condition, The Woszern publio likes to know how s firm atands now, fullyas mach as how it bas stood io tho past. Gago Brothers & Co, sro peculiarly in a position to invite seruth ny, thoir standing and position at this time being the natural outgrowth of tho ilmm’s prolonged, guccesutul, aud honorsblo history. To tho now and olegant marble building at tho CORNER OF WADASH AVENUE AND MADI50N BTHEET, Uhis Drm bas just takon up what will probably prove pormauent quarters, It is now lu o wtcuct- ure crected exprossly for itaown uso, aud do- signed to moct all tho requirements of the tirm’s vast and continually incroasing busiuess, Tho tira of Gage Brothers & Co. conduct tho most oxtenelvo wholesale millinery, fancy gooda, and Revlons buainews transacted in any Weatoro city. This Impregnabloe Stronghold SAVED MILLIONS Of dollars’ worth of Cash and other Valuables. What Happened Foor Years Ago To-day, May Happan Again! Put your Money, Precious Papers, and costly goods of sll kinds in THE FIRLITY Safe Depository. Horo thoy will be secure against Roguas or the Desroying Elements, SAVINGS BAL Is a part of the samo Luntitution. THE FIELGY SAVINGS BANK SAFE DEPOSITORY Is ON Randolph-st., betw2en Clark and LaSalle, JOHN @. HAINES, Preaideat JARED GAGE, Vice-President. ‘WIKDOW GLASS. TWENTY PER CENT LOWER THAN FRENCH WINDOW GLASS Is Many Times the waual d/forency from American, Neving greatly tmprored this your in STYLE OF PACKING, a4 well agin Mriting, Flattening, and Sort dng, we beliove our “CUMANSEY™ and “ BRIDGE- TON” brands aurerior to other American and RQUAL TO (MPORTED GLASS, Unusual Inducoments are now offerod for trisl ore ders, which, of course, show beat in bigh quelity and large aise, Ono quality better thats French can b¢ used with material saving. "Though our cost iv considerably enhanced, we girs buyers advantage in price fur intreduction, COHANSEY GLASS MANUF’G CQ., NW. cor. Third and Arch-sts., Phila, MANUFACTURERS Window Glass, Bottles, and Frait Jars f ANTALOONS. CASH versus CREDIT. CHICAGO PANTS WAREHOUSH, 5610 & 5612 WEST MADISOS-ST. ) MABEY & PRALL, Merchant Tdilors, (EBOM LONDON.) The CHICAGO PANTS ary warranted all wool, well uk, well trimmed, newest goods, beat workrausuip, perfect Nt 89.00 A PATE. OL TANKS, “BUSINESS NOTICES. Or. FT. Felix Gournud’« Oriental Cream or Magical Beautificr, removes Freckles, Finsples, Sallowness, Moth Patches, anu all akin blem- ashe, ‘This preparation bas acquired # reputation tho past thirty years among Fashionable Ladies, which makes staought after by the fait wex, coming from or going to the movt distant countries, for it bas no equal or rival in ite beautifying and innocent qualities, Like all other of DR. GOURAUD'S preparations, this bas extended its walo until {t as become a speciality by tte own merita, and ja nut the creature of mere adverts. lug notoriety. ‘Luis invaluable Commetic te recommended from one custumerto nuotber on octus! knowledge of £8 value and utility. _Prepared by Dr, T, FELIX GOURAUD, 44 Bond-st,, New York, iormerly of Walkeraut., aud late of 453 Broadway,’ Established 34 years, DR GOTRAUD fs alno the inventor of the celebrated Itallan Medicated Soap, Pondre Gubtile for uprooting balr, Lily White, Liguid Rouge, etc. ‘WOOLS AND EMBROIDERY. Chas. Gossage § Co. Berlin Wools! ‘he Most Complete Stok inthe West! Two, four, and eight-fold Zephyrs of the best quality, in all colors and shades; Filling Floss; Embroidery Chenilles; Cardonnet, Shaded, Em- broidery, and Sadler's Silks; Java and Linen Java Canvas; Waflle, Rail- road, Panama, Wire, Tinsel, and Zephyr Canvas; Turkish Towel- ing, Picture Suspender, Patent Striped Canvas in all widths; Perfo- rated Cardboard; Gold and Silver do; Gold and Silver Braids and Beads; Embroidery Beads; Wax, Steel, and Jet Beads; Cushion Cords, Tassels, and Fringes; Gold and Silver do,; Embroidery Patterns and Pattern Books; Crochet Patterns; Applique Patterns ; Commenced Patterns ; Gui- puro Work; Illuminated Mottoss; Book Marke and Engravings for Em- broidery, and a fall stock of all arti- cles pertaining to Fancy Embroidery. New and unique designs for Chair Stripes, Cushions, Foot Rests, Fire Screens, Slipper Cases, Pin Cushions, Oloth Cushions richly embroidered, Afghans, Rugs, Towel Racke, Toilet and Fanoy Articles of all kinds enit- able for Embroidery equally novel, tasty, and elegant, which we com- mond ag the most pleasing, complete, and comprehensive assortment ever offerad in Chicago. Orders taken for Designing, Stamping, Braiding, Em- broidering, and Fancy Work of all kinds ! Also Germantown Yarns, Balmoral Wrison & EvENDEN’S OIL TANKS, MEASURING PUMP, 47 & 49 Weat Lake St. CHEICAGO.« 7 x97 Send for Catalogua, 4 TOE RUILDING iy admirably adapted to tho noods of ita occn- ante. Thiv vives tho frm unrivaled facili- sea for bending goods at tho miotmum of oxpense, ‘Tho fact algo that st disposce of such great quantities of stock enables it to buy of wanutactucers at the vory lowost of figures, Its customers, of course, reap the advantages noticed, ‘toe TRADE of this fine house grows continually. I¢ was larger last year than the yoar before. It Is largor thin yearthau jast, Fires, panics, or trado stag- nation, seem unable to block ite progress. Sell- ing the newest and choicesc of goods at tho low- Manufacturers of Sanne Common prudence requires examination ff the Hisstio ‘fruss, TORRES ly and of By whioh gently <9 sround the b retains the rupture ext of pricos, the house of Gage Brothors & Co. | Yarng, SaXODyy Merino, and Shetland day PS nighe ti ve id the out of ite pat- F q 4 cured, Sentby fon ugceaiogiye | Goods, and Tetzner’s German Knit- ©. 7. WEED, 236 Fintona Ob ‘Phe firm vot valy leads the Westorn trade, but tt wots Western fashions. in diroot aud inmadi- ate connection with the chief favhion centros of the Eaat and of Europe, it eecures tho istost aud most elegant devigue, and places them in market in advance of e!) compeutwo. 1b ie & fasbion authority, aud ity patterns and goode aro socepted modols tho lastant they appoar. ‘That thia excolfout house t4 deatinod to malu- talo ity leadorship of the millinery, fancy go0u3, ud notion trade of Chicago, iv evidout. It hss the advantages of experience, hiss business character, rig location, sud an alwaya perfect stock of g . With theae advantages pergis- nent pre-eminence id a matter of couredy ting Oottons, These goods will bo found the best in the market, always full weight, soft in texture, and even- ly finished. We commend this Now Department as meriting attention, inspection and, purchase, 106, 108 & 110 State-st. GENERAL NOTICES, Re Nera ene ». i} CITY COLLEOTOR’S OFFICE, (oar 1, City-Iialt), Cuscauo, Oct. 6, 1175, Thave now alven all the iudulgaiice payers, and muss cluse up gollections o: the wale will clue by the oth Lust. tave cogla andtuy penalty of twanly-Bve par can which will sceruo iminediately upon the wale ol property, ond will Lo rigidly enforced, are wotifed to come in end pay {unmmodtately. uly to city taxes, a9 who wis to sik ont 02 Was GEGRAE. yON HOLLER, Cit Collector, BARNUM BROTHERS ea ee SPEOUAOLES. pene FIRM CHANGES: ____. COPARTNERSHIP, ‘The arm of Sloan Bros, Laving taken s partner Mr, The general publio probably dove not yeulize tho fact that one of the most ostcosive estab- Muhmenta in America for the sale of toya sud fancy goods is located hore in Chicago, yet much } Joho D. Howard, the nats ‘firm wil now be . isthe facts Ita thet of Baraum co. af Nos, | Hest Bros, & Cos it fae v su RAR EA Bes LE SERS Bou, 239 and 128 Wakes avenue, and ib is one ef the fon 3) 16h fe 2, BOWED rf