CHAPTER XV.

HEART-BROKEN.

ALLISON, Forbes, Baker and Yard, the four individuals to whom I was referred as just mentioned, belonged to a nondescript class, who are possessed of considerable cash in hand, and who are constantly on the watch for an opportunity to double their money. Such men rarely buy notes; they can't make enough by the operation. But if a gentleman is hard up and wants to pledge his silver or his wife's jewels, and is sensitive about its being known, these people will accommodate him, through a third party, with a reasonable advance at enormous rates; or they sometimes find a piece of property going at auction by accident at half-price, and they step in and buy. Occasionally they bid off a lot of goods at the lower end of Wall-street, and clear fifty per cent. without moving them. They will make advances on government contracts at the rate of cent. per cent. In short, they are ready to turn their honest penny in any transaction which will pay. Such men generally have a kind of satellite revolving around them, always on the hunt for chances, who is enabled to earn a small pittance as a reward for his persevering industry.

Reader, I was now so hard pushed that I was thankful for an introduction to these four men. I lost no time in calling on each. I was received by all of them pretty

much in the same manner. They had no idea I was half as smart as Old Sol; still, I might go ahead and see what 1 could do. I was treated by these people, I don't say unkindly, but with coarse indifference, precisely as if I belonged to them. I was ordered here, sent there; told to do this, and to be careful not to do that. And what meagre compensation! sometimes a few shillings, sometimes one, two or three dollars. I soon found I must give up my office. I could not afford the respectability of having one all to myself. So I engaged what is termed "desk-room" in a pretty large basement-office, already occupied by three other persons. For this I paid at the rate of one hundred dollars a year. There was this advantage, that I did not have to mount any stairs; for I began to feel the exercise severely. Besides, in what I was now working at, it was important I should be as accessible as possible. So I moved my desk and two of my chairs to the new place, and sent the rest of the furniture, including the carpet, to auction. I felt rather badly when I thought what pains Alice had taken to arrange it, but, after all, what did it matter? The proceeds, small as they were, proved very acceptable. I continued to make something from time to time through Mr. Frink and one or two other usurers, but it seemed as if they grew daily more and more griping. However, I kept manfully at work. I would not permit myself to be much disturbed by the vexations to which I was constantly subjected during the day, and at night I came back to the happy world of home, grateful that it still remained to me.

I come now to the most important occurrence of my life.

I have taken some pains to make the reader understand how of late I had been fortified by an extraordinary self-reliance, coupled with a sense of the power of the human spirit to enable one to rise superior to misfortune. In this way I came to feel that I was more than a match for whatever could happen. I am now going to narrate how I was mistaken. There was a man in the street by the name of Horace P. Devine, who was a sort of general broker, but with whom I had no more than a bowing acquaintance. Downer used to dislike him, and often cautioned me to have nothing to do with him. The warning appeared unnecessary, for we never met in any business transaction. For several weeks, however, Devine had managed to put himself in my way, and by degrees we entered into conversation. His address was pleasing, and his air ingenuous. He spoke of the difficulties of getting on without capital, stated with an air of candor that he was not worth a cent in the world, and that sometimes he was perplexed to know what to do for five dollars. I began to think Downer had conceived an antipathy to this man, and for once, that his usual good sense had yielded to his prejudices. By degrees my acquaintance with Devine became more intimate. He told me he should have left New York long since and gone to the West, where active industry was more available, but he had a mother and two sisters dependent on him, which tied him down here. On one occasion Devine came in and asked me if I had any use for fifty dollars until the next day, as he happened to have that amount over for the twenty-four hours. I replied I had no use for the money, but thanked him for his kindness in offering it. It seemed to me very considerate. De

vine by degrees ingratiated himself in my favor. He would consult me confidentially about his private affairs; was a most respectful listener whenever I gave my opinions, and treated me with a deference which was both agreeable and flattering. He never asked any favor at my hands, but, on the contrary, frequently undertook to do me some trifling service, which I received as a mark of respect to my age, and perhaps as some return for the advice I gave him.

One day a gentleman, for whom I had already done some business, brought me a note for six hundred and fifty dollars. It was just before three o'clock. The owner wanted one hundred dollars at once, but was in no haste for the balance, and was willing I should take three or four days if I could sell the note to any better advantage. As it was a respectable piece of paper, I felt anxious to secure it, although I had but a few minutes to raise what was wanted. Now, Devine was in the room when the man came in with the note, and although he rose at once to leave, he heard the request made for the hundred dollars. When I came out on the sidewalk with the note in my hand, Devine was standing by the door.

"If you have no place in particular," he said, "where you expect to get the money, I feel sure I can find a purchaser who will take the note in a day or two, and who will, meanwhile, advance what is wanted upon it."

"Very well," I replied; "if you can bring me a hundred dollars immediately, and are certain that you can sell the note well, you can take it, and I will divide the commission with you."

"My dear sir," cried Devine, "I hope you don't think I

made this offer for the sake of securing a part of your commission, which, permit me to say, I shall not touch. I happen to know where the money can be had, and I thought I could save you from running after it.”

This was very kind. I handed the paper to Devine, who promised to be back in five minutes with the money. I think he returned in three, and, quite breathless, placed a hundred-dollar bill in my hand. This I handed to my constituent, with the remark that the note would be speedily discounted, and he left much pleased with my promptness.

The following day, and the next, and the next, I saw Devine as usual. He spoke of the note, and said it would be done within the promised time.

I

On the fourth day Devine did not appear, but my constituent did, with the expectation of getting his money. went immediately to the place where Devine had a desk, and saw a paper pinned upon it, on which was written: "Will be back in half an hour." Persons in the room, of whom I inquired how long Devine had been out, were unable to give me any information. After waiting without success the half hour indicated, I hurried to my office, hoping to find him there. I was destined to be disappointed, and was obliged to make the only excuse I could to the owner, which was, that I was unable to see the person that day from whom I was to receive the money. Of course, he was disappointed, but he left with the assurance that I would have every thing all right for him the next day.

I hastened back to find Devine, but he had not returned. According to the piece of paper, he was still coming "in half an hour!" I waited till it was nearly time to close the office,