He knew of a place, he said, where he could get it for "next to nothing;" and, as he then pertinently observed, I must be aware that it might be disposed of in New York at more than cent, per cent, profit.

So, why should we not embark in it?
If we did, Brown of Philadelphia--only he was opposed to betting, on moral principle--was prepared to wager a trifle that we would soon have more "greenbacks" than we should know what to do with! He had an office already, had my benevolent friend,--"located" in a first-rate part of Broadway.

All I should have to do, he explained, would be to put a small sum into the concern--so as to be independent, as it were, and not merely accepting "a big thing" at his hands--and, my fortune was made.

If I would contribute, say, five hundred dollars--"a mere song"-- we might go joint shares in what would turn out to be a most remarkably go-a-head enterprise; yes, sir! Strange! But, the amount he mentioned was the exact sum, in American exchange, of my capital--about which, you know, I had previously spoken to him in a friendly and communicative way.

It _was_ odd, my just having sufficient, wasn't it ?--Yet, how lucky, to be sure! And then, there was no necessity for my being acquainted with the business:--he would manage that.