By this time, his father-in-law began to understand him a little better than at first, and to appreciate him more highly.

On more than one occasion, he had been in want of a few thousand dollars in an emergency, when the check of Watson promptly supplied the pressing need.
As to the real ability of Watson, few were apprised, for he never made a display for the sake of establishing a credit.

But it was known to some, that he generally had a comfortable balance in the bank, and to others that he never exchanged notes, nor asked an endorser on his business paper.

He always purchased for cash, and thus obtained his goods from five to seven per cent cheaper than his neighbors; and rarely put his business paper in bank for discount at a longer date than sixty days.

Under this system, his profits were, usually, ten per cent.