“I would take your offer, Paul, but I need all the money how. It will be expensive moving to Philadelphia and I shall want all I can get.”
“I wish I could buy you out,” said Paul, thoughtfully.
“It's the seventeenth now. I should like to get rid of it by the twenty-second.”
“I'll see what I can do. Just keep it for me till to-morrow.”
Paul walked home revolving in his mind this unexpected opportunity. He had made, as George Barry's agent, a dollar a day, though he received only half the profits. If he were himself the proprietor, and did equally well, he could make twelve dollars a week. The calculation almost took away his breath. Twelve dollars a week would make about fifty dollars a month. It would enable him to contribute more to the support of the family, and save up money besides. But the great problem was, how to raise the necessary money. If Paul had been a railroad corporation, he might have issued first mortgage bonds at a high rate of interest, payable in gold, and negotiated them through some leading banker. But he was not much versed in financial schemes, and therefore was at a loss. The only wealthy friend he had was Mr. Preston, and he did not like to apply to him till he had exhausted other ways and means.
“What makes you so sober, Paul?” asked his mother, as he entered the room. “You are home early.”
“Yes, I sold all my papers, and thought I would take an early dinner, so as to be on hand in time for the first afternoon papers.”
“Tiptop; but I've had a good offer, and I'm thinking whether I can accept it.”
“George Barry wants to sell out his stand.”
“Yes, it's worth all that, and more, too. If I had it I could make two dollars a day. But I haven't got thirty-five dollars.”
“I can let you have nine, Paul. I had a little saved up, and I haven't touched the money Mr. Preston paid me for the shirts.”
“I've got five myself, but that will only make fourteen.”
“No, he's going to Philadelphia early next week, and wants the whole in cash.”
“It would be a pity to lose such a good chance,” said Mrs. Hoffman.
“You could soon save up the money on two dollars a day.”
“I could pay for it in a month--I mean, all above the fourteen dollars we have.”
“In a day or two I shall have finished the second half-dozen shirts, and then I suppose Mr. Preston will pay me nine dollars more. I could let you have six dollars of that.”