Since my withdrawal, and cooler thought on the subject, I congratulate myself, daily, on the escape I have made." "Escape! From what!" Mr.Markland looked surprised.
"From loss; it may be, ruin." "You would hardly call the loss of twenty thousand dollars, ruin." "Do you expect to get off with an investment of only twenty thousand dollars ?" asked Mr.Brainard.
"No; for I have agreed to put in forty thousand." Brainard shook his head ominously, and looked very grave.
"I knew of no other man in the city with whom I cared to be associated; and so, after you declined, took the whole amount that wats to be raised here, myself." "A hasty and unwise act, believe me, Mr.Markland," said the other.
"How soon do you expect returns from this investment ?" "Not for a year, at least." "Say not for two years." "Well--admit it.

What then ?" "Your annual income is at once diminished in the sum of about twenty-five hundred dollars, the interest on these forty thousand dollars.

So, at the end of two years, you are the loser of five thousand dollars by your operation." "It would be, if the new business paid nothing.

But, when it begins to pay, it will be at the rate of one or two hundred per cent.

on the amounts paid in." "May be so." "Oh! I am sure of it." "The whole scheme has a fair front, I will admit," answered Brainard.