Nothing was so precious as reputation and standing.

His forethought, caution, and promptness pleased the bankers.

They thought he was one of the sanest, shrewdest men they had ever met.
However, by the spring and summer of 1871, Cowperwood had actually, without being in any conceivable danger from any source, spread himself out very thin.

Because of his great success he had grown more liberal--easier--in his financial ventures.

By degrees, and largely because of his own confidence in himself, he had induced his father to enter upon his street-car speculations, to use the resources of the Third National to carry a part of his loans and to furnish capital at such times as quick resources were necessary.