Finger Posts on the Way of Life | Page 8

helped two or three in my time, and what return do you
suppose I received?"
"The pleasing consciousness of having done good to your neighbour."
"Not a bit of it. I lost my money for my pains, and made enemies into
the bargain. When I demanded my own, I received only insult--that's
my experience, Mr. Smith, and the experience of ninety-nine in a
hundred who listen to the so-called claims of humanity. As I said
before--it doesn't pay."
"Then you will not go with me to see Mrs. Lloyd?"
"No, sir. You don't catch me hunting up the widows of broken

merchants. Let them go to their own friends. I'd soon have plenty of
rather unprofitable business on my hands, if I were to engage in affairs
of this kind."
"I hardly think it will pay to talk with you on this subject any longer,"
said Mr. Smith.
"I'm just of your opinion," was the laughing answer, "unless I can
induce you to let Mrs. Lloyd remain in ignorance of your benevolent
intentions, and mind your own concerns, like a sensible man."
"Good morning," said Mr. Smith.
"Good morning," replied Jones; "in a week or two I shall expect to hear
your report on this widow-hunting expedition."
"It will pay, I reckon," said Mr. Smith, as he passed from the store.
"Pay," muttered Jones, a sneer now curling his lip, "he'll have to pay,
and roundly, too, unless more fortunate than he deserves to be."
A little while after the departure of Mr. Smith, a sallow, sharp-featured
man, with a restless eye, entered the store of Mr. Jones.
"Ah, Perkins!" said the latter, familiarly, "any thing afloat to-day?"
"Well, yes, there is; I know of one operation that is worth looking at."
"Will it pay, friend Perkins? That's the touchstone with me. Show me
any thing that will pay, and I'm your man for a trade."
"I can get you fifty shares of Riverland Railroad stock, at eighty-two!"
"Can you?" The face of Jones brightened.
"I can."
"All right. I'll take it."

"Give me your note at sixty days, and I'll have the shares transferred at
once."
In five minutes from the time Perkins entered the store of Mr. Jones, he
left with the merchant's note for over four thousand dollars in his hand.
The shares in the Riverland Railroad had been steadily advancing for
some months, and Mr. Jones entertained not the shadow of a doubt that
in a very short period they would be up to par. He had already
purchased freely, and at prices beyond eighty-two dollars. The
speculation he regarded as entirely safe, and one that would "pay"
handsomely.
"I think that will pay a good deal better than hunting up the poor
widows of insolvent merchants," said Mr. Jones to himself, as he
walked the length of his store once or twice, rubbing his hands every
now and then with irrepressible glee. "If I'd been led off by Smith on
that fool's errand, just see what I would have lost. Operations like that
don't go a begging long. But this gentleman knows in what quarter his
interest lies."
Not long after the departure of Perkins, a small wholesale dealer,
named Armor, came into the store of Mr. Jones.
"I have several lots that I am anxious to close out this morning," said he.
"Can I do any thing here?"
"What have you?" asked Mr. Jones.
"Ten boxes of tobacco, fifty prime hams, ten boxes Havana cigars,
some rice, &c."
Now, these were the very articles Mr. Jones wanted, and which he
would have to purchase in a day or two. But he affected indifference as
he inquired the price. The current market rates were mentioned.
"No temptation," said Mr. Jones, coldly.
"They are prime articles, all; none better to be had," said the dealer.

"If I was in immediate want of them, I could give you an order; but"----
"Will you make me an offer?" inquired Armor, somewhat earnestly. "I
have a good deal of money to raise to-day, and for cash will sell at a
bargain."
Mr. Jones mused for some time. He was not certain whether, in making
or requiring an offer, he would get the best bargain out of his needy
customer. At last he said--
"Put down your prices to the very lowest figure, and I can tell you at a
word whether I will close out these lots for you. As I said before, I have
a good stock of each on hand."
For what a small gain will some men sacrifice truth and honour!
The dealer had notes in bank that must be lifted, and he saw no way of
obtaining all the funds he needed, except through forced sales, at a
depression on the market prices. So, to make certain of