Words for the Wise | Page 9

"Perhaps we do. And I don't know that it would have been any harm if I

had done as you suggest. However, it is too late now."
"I think not. A hint of the truth would put him on his guard."
"I don't know."
"Oh, yes, it would."
"I am not certain. Dalton is a most plausible man; and I am pretty sure
that, in the mind of a person like Eldridge, he can inspire the fullest
confidence. To suggest any thing wrong, now, would not put him on
his guard, and might lead the suggester into trouble."
Much more was said on both sides, but no good result flowed from the
conversation. Mr. Hueston did not hesitate to declare that he knew how
it would all be in the end; but at the same time said that it was none of
his business, and that "every man must look out for himself."
The character of Dalton was by no means harshly judged by Mr.
Hueston. He was, at heart, a knave; yet a most cunning and specious
one. Eldridge, on the contrary, was the very soul of integrity; and,
being thoroughly honest in all his intentions, it was hard for him to
believe that any man who spoke fair to him, and professed to be
governed by right principles, could be a scoundrel. With a few
thousand dollars, his share of his father's estate, he had come to Boston
for the purpose of commencing some kind of business. With creditable
prudence, he entered the store of a merchant and remained there for a
year, in order to obtain a practical familiarity with trade. During this
period he fell in with Dalton, who was in a small commission way that
barely yielded him enough to meet his expenses. Dalton was not long
in discovering that Eldridge had some cash, and that his ultimate
intention was to engage in business for himself. From that time he
evinced towards the young man a very friendly spirit, and soon found a
good reason for changing his boarding-place, and making his home
under the same roof with Eldridge. To win upon the young man's
confidence was no hard matter. Before six months, Dalton was looked
upon as a generous-minded friend, who had his interest deeply at heart.
All his views in regard to business were freely communicated; and he
rested upon the suggestions of Dalton with the confidence of one who
believed that he had met a friend, not only fully competent to advise
aright, but thoroughly unselfish in all his feelings.
Dalton possessed a large amount of business information, and was,
therefore, the very man for Eldridge; particularly as he was

communicative. In conversation, the latter obtained a great deal of
information on subjects especially interesting to one who looked
forward to engaging in some branch of trade for himself. One evening
the two men sat conversing about business, as usual, when Eldridge
said:
"It is time I was making some move for myself; but, for my life, I can't
come to any decision as to what I shall do."
"It is better for a young man, if he can do so, to connect himself with
some established house," replied Dalton to this. "It takes time to make a
new business, and not unfrequently a very long time."
"I am aware of that; but I see no opportunity for an arrangement of the
kind."
"How much capital can you furnish?"
"Ten thousand dollars."
"That's very good, and ought to enable you to make an arrangement
somewhere. I don't know but I might be willing to give you an interest
in my business. This, however, would require some reflection. I am
turning out a very handsome surplus every year, without at all
crowding sail."
"A commission business?"
"Yes. I am agent for three or four manufactories, and effect some pretty
large sales during the year. If I were able to make liberal cash advances,
I could more than quadruple my business."
"And, of course, your profits also?"
"Yes, that follows as a natural result."
"Would ten thousand dollars be at all adequate for such a purpose?"
"It would help very much. Ten thousand dollars in cash is, you know, a
basis of credit to nearly four times that sum."
"Yes, I am aware of that."
"Is your capital readily available?" inquired Dalton.
"Yes, since I have been in the city I have invested every thing in
government securities, as safe property, and readily convertible into
cash."
"Very judicious."
Dalton mused for some time.
"Yes," he at length said, as if he had been thinking seriously of the
effect of ten thousand dollars in his business. "The capital you have

would put a new face on every thing. That's certain. Suppose you think
the matter over, and I