"Isn't that a good deal?"
"In proportion to the value of my stock, it is, but I keep turning it over. Last year, after paying rent and all expenses, including wages to a boy of seventeen, who assisted me, I cleared two thousand dollars."
To Paul this seemed considerable. It would be a great improvement upon his present position, and he would enjoy much more being the owner of a store than of a street stand. But where would he get the money?
"Couldn't you take less than a thousand dollars down?" he asked.
The man shook his head.
"I need that amount at once," he said. "You had better accept my terms. You can't do better. Can't you raise the money somewhere?"
"I will see," said Paul.
He had thought of Mr. Preston. He knew that Mr. Preston was his friend, and that he was fully able to assist him. He would go and see him, and consult him about the matter, not directly asking him for help, but giving him an opportunity to offer.
"I will come back to-morrow and give you my answer," he said.
"Come to-night, if you can."
"Very well, I will, if possible."
Paul was fortunate enough to find Mr. Preston in.
"Good-morning, Paul," said the merchant, pleasantly; "what can I do for you this morning?"
"I want to consult you on a matter of business, Mr. Preston."
"I shall be glad to advise you as well as I can."
Hereupon Paul explained the matter, first displaying the advertisement.
"Do you think the shop favorably situated for business?" asked Mr.
Preston.
"Yes, sir."
"Is it pretty well stocked?"
"Yes, sir. If I had it I might want to increase the stock a little."
"So the man asks a thousand dollars cash?"
"Yes, sir."
"How much money have you?"
"Six hundred."
"Well, Paul, I think favorably of your plan. If you want to take the shop, I will lend you the money you need, and stand security for the remainder."
"Thank you, sir," said Paul, joyfully.
"Wait a minute till you hear my conditions. This is strictly a business arrangement between us. I expect you to pay me interest at the legal rate, and to pay it punctually as it falls due. You understand that?"
"Yes, sir, that is only fair."
"As you say, it is only fair, yet borrowers are apt to forget it. They will make all sorts of promises when they want to borrow, and break them afterward. Even honest men will think it is enough to pay interest whenever it is convenient, forgetting that by their neglect they are injuring their credit. Some years since I helped two former clerks to establish themselves in business. Both were honest; but while one was prompt in all his engagements, and waited upon me on the very day the interest came due with the money ready, the other obliged me to send for it, and then put me off on every occasion, though he paid finally. The result was, that after a while I assisted the first cheerfully to extend his business. The second, hearing of it, made a similar application, which I promptly refused. Do you wonder at it?"
"Not at all, sir. I think you were perfectly right."
"Be prompt in all your engagements. That is a good rule in business, and in everything else. I have confidence in your integrity, and shall be very glad to assist you. Go and finish your negotiation, and when you want the money come to me."
"Thank you, sir, not only for your kind offer, but for your advice."
"He is going to succeed," said the merchant, as Paul went out. "He will some day be a prosperous man."
The merchant was pleased at the respect with which his advice was received. Young America is very apt to regard the counsel of the old and experienced as of slight value; but in this they make a great mistake. There are plenty of young men, who, from their own self-sufficiency and impatience of good advice, go to financial ruin every year. He shows wisdom who avails himself of the experience of other men, avoiding their errors, and imitating what in them is worthy of imitation.
Paul returned to the shop and made a careful examination of the stock.
He came to the conclusion that the price asked was not excessive, and agreed to pay it. In the course of two days the transfer was concluded, and Paul transferred the small stock of his necktie stand to the shop which he had taken. During all this time he had said nothing to his mother of the change he had made. He wanted to surprise her.
"Mother," he said, on the second morning of his possession, "I want you to take a little walk with me this morning."
"May I go too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.
"Yes, Jimmy, I meant to invite you. So get your cap."
"Where shall we walk to, Paul?" asked his mother.
"I don't mean to tell you just yet. You will soon know."
"Is it a secret?" asked Mrs. Hoffman, smiling.
"Yes; it is a great secret."
"Then I will try to stifle my curiosity for a time."
"What is it, Paul? Whisper it to me," said Jimmy.
"You must wait, too," said Paul. "I believe you are more curious than mother."
They had not far to walk. When they reached the shop the sign told them nothing, for Paul had not yet had time to have his own put up. He had given the order to a sign-painter, but it would take time to fulfill it.
"I want to go in here a minute," he said.
"Shall we wait outside?" asked his mother.
"No; come in. I would like to have you see the shop."