But, let me tell you, my young friend, your mind is rather too limited for a merchant of this day.

There is Mortimer, who began business about the time you did.

How much do you think he has made by a good credit ?" "I'm sure I don't know." "Fifty thousand dollars." "And by the next turn of fortune's wheel, may lose it all." "Not he.

Mortimer, though young, is too shrewd a merchant for that.
Do you know that he made ten thousand by the late rise in cotton; and all without touching a dollar in his business ?" "I heard something of it.

But, suppose prices had receded instead of advancing?
What of this good credit, then ?" "You're too timid--too prudent, Watson," said the merchant, "and will be left behind in the race for prosperity by men of half your ability." "No matter; I will be content," was the reply of Watson.
It happened, a short time after this little interchange of views on business matters, that Watson met the daughter of Mr.Johnson in a company where he chanced to be.