He nodded and winked in ecstasy.

"What wool!" said he; "what it will be next spring! Do you know, baron, you are a most fortunate man?
Have you good accounts of the young gentleman, your son ?" "Thank you, he wrote to us yesterday, and sent us his testimonials." "He will be like his father, a nobleman of the first order, and a rich man too; the baron knows how to provide for his children." "I am not laying by," was the careless reply.
"Laying by, indeed!" said the tradesman, with the utmost contempt for any thing so plebeian; "and why should you?
When old Ehrenthal is dead and gone, you will be able to leave the young gentleman this property--with--between ourselves--a very large sum indeed, besides a dowry to your daughter of--of--what shall I say?
of fifty thousand dollars, at least." "You are mistaken," said the baron, gravely; "I am not so rich." "Not so rich!" cried Ehrenthal, ready to resent the speech, if it had not been made by the baron himself.

"Why, you may then be so any moment you like; any one, with a property like yours, can double his capital in ten years, without the slightest risk.

Why not take joint-stock promissory notes upon your estate ?" Ehrenthal alluded to a great joint-stock company of landed proprietors which lent money on a first mortgage on estates.

This money took the form of promissory notes, made payable to the holder.