Finger Posts on the Way of Life | Page 9

an operation, he
named, accordingly, low rates--considerably below cost.
Mr. Jones, who was very cunning, and very shrewd, accepted the prices
on two or three articles, but demurred to the rest, and these the most
important of the whole. Finally, an operation was made, in which he
was a gainer, in the purchase of goods for which he had almost
immediate sale, of over two hundred dollars, while the needy merchant
was a loser by just that sum.
"That paid!" was the self-congratulatory ejaculation of Mr. Jones, "and
handsomely, too. I should like to do it over again, about a dozen times
before night. Rather better than widow speculations--ha! ha!"
We shall see. On leaving the store of his neighbour, Mr. Smith went to
the hotel at which he understood Mrs. Lloyd had taken lodgings, and
made inquiry for her. A lady in deep mourning, accompanied by two
daughters, one a lovely girl, not over twenty years of age, and the other
about twelve, soon entered the parlour.

"Mrs. Lloyd, I believe," said Mr. Smith.
The lady bowed. As soon as all parties were seated, the gentleman
said--
"My name is Smith. During your former residence in this city, I was
well acquainted with your husband. Permit me to offer my heartfelt
sympathy in the painful bereavement you have suffered."
There was a slight pause, and then Mr. Smith resumed--
"Hearing of your return to this city, I have called to ask if there are any
good offices that I can render you. If you have any plans for the
future--if you want advice--if a friend in need will be of service--do not
hesitate to speak freely, My high regard for your husband's memory
will not suffer me to be indifferent to the welfare of his widow and
children."
Mr. Smith had not purposed making, when he called, so general a
tender of service. But there was something in the lady's fine
countenance which told him that she had both independence and
decision of character, and that he need not fear an abuse of his generous
kindness.
Touched by such an unexpected declaration, it was some moments
before she could reply. She then said--
"I thank you, in the name of my departed husband, for this
unlooked-for and generous offer. Though back in the city, which was
formerly my home, I find myself comparatively a stranger. Yesterday I
made inquiry for Mr. Edward Hunter, an old and fast friend of Mr.
Lloyd's, and to my pain and regret learned that he was deceased."
"Yes, madam; he died about two months ago."
"With him I purposed consulting as to my future course of action; but
his death has left me without a single friend in the city to whose
judgment I can confide my plans and purposes."

"Mr. Hunter was one of nature's noblemen," said Mr. Smith, warmly;
"and you are not the only one who has cause to mourn his loss. But
there are others in our city who are not insensible to the claims of
humanity--others who, like him, sometimes let their thoughts range
beyond the narrow sphere of self."
"My object in returning to this place," resumed Mrs. Lloyd, "was to get
started in some safe and moderately profitable business. A short time
before my husband's removal, by the death of a distant relative I fell
heir to a small piece of landed property, which I recently sold in New
Orleans. By the advice of my agent there, I have invested the money in
fifty shares of Riverland Railroad stock, which he said I could sell here
at a good advance. These shares are now in the hands of a broker,
named Perkins, who is authorized to sell them at eighty-two dollars a
share."
"He'll find no difficulty in doing that, ma'am. I would have taken them
at eighty-three."
At this stage of the conversation, Perkins himself entered the parlour.
"Ah, Mr. Smith!" said he, "I called at your place of business this
morning, but was not so fortunate as to find you in. I had fifty shares of
Riverland stock, the property of Mrs. Lloyd here, which I presumed
you would like to buy."
"You were not out of the way in your presumption. Have you made the
sale?"
"Oh yes. Not finding you in, I saw Mr. Jones, who took the shares at a
word."
"At what price?"
"Eighty-two. I have his note at sixty days for the amount, which you
know is perfectly good."
"Mrs. Lloyd need not have the slightest hesitation in accepting it; and if

she wishes the money, I can get it cashed for her." Then rising, he
added, "I will leave you now, Mrs. Lloyd, as business requires both
your attention and mine. To-morrow I will do myself the pleasure to
call on you