The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-02-09


CIVIL you have the goodness, mon
sieur,' said /, "to tell me precisely
how much all these funds are worth
which you have bought for me %
"The calculation is easy. Twenty
thousand dollars at so much the dollar
and the sum already paid. lfyou sell
to day, you will put about two hundred
and twenty thousand francs into your
pocket"
] opened both my ears.
"You say, monsieur, two hundred and
twenty thousand! Are you quite GER
tain -
D." AS certain as any one can be, with
in few hundred francs"
l did not wish to appear too much the
novice, and replied
"That is we'll. You spoke also of a
bank 20
eyes the establishment of this bank
has met with some difficulties but the
affair is not less good; we are on the
eve of terminating it, and the scrip is
we'll up"
"Could that scrip also be sold" /
inquired.
{" You hold fifty shares" replied the
banker, "which have advanced four
hundred and fifty forms, making alto
gcther nearly sixty thousand francs"
Although as yet l have paid
nothing!
Without doubt" was the answer.
"That is singular ; but since you say
so, | submit. should like to make a
safe investment of the whole will you
be so kind as to specify one''
"Our five per cents, monsieur-l
know of nothing safer. At the present
rate the gain will be six. | can easily
understand that all these little matters
worry you. You will soon have to deal
with much larger sums"
"By placing all that ! hold IN the
five per cents, should have an income
Of"
"That is soon rcckoned. Three hun
drcd thousand, or whereabouts the
quotation at eighty makes eighteen
thousand francs-say twenty thousand,
to make a round sum-"
"Ah, twenty thousand francs of in
come ~ said |, "whcn could | receive
it :"
"On Tomorrow, if you confde the
transaction to our house"
"Tlat, of COURSE" what other could
inspire me with SO great degree of con-
fidence 2"
The banker bowed.
Will it be believed in the midst Of
all these treasures, felt a certain en-
oarrassment in asking for small sum, Of
which stood in the greatest need; for,
after paying the expenses Of my journey,
| had but five francs left. Such, how
ever, was the force of habit, that could
scarcely believe myself legitimately pos
sessed of more than my little annuity,
which was no. yet due.
Dare L ASK inquired, with a
blush almost Of shame on my cheeks
"can !, without indiscretion, beg you to
advance me for the moment small sum,
which | want on arrival in a strange city,
"Eh, my dear monsieur, my chest is
entirely at your disposal. How much dc
you want-tArce, fourteen thousand
francs
81 do not ask so much a thousan d
will be sufficient"
"Will you have it in gold or notes
Call the cashier. May i beg you,'' said
the banker, leading the way as rose te
depart" may | beg you to continue
your good will to our house"
Certainly, monsieur, "you we'll de-
serve it," replied, with a confidence
which the certainty of possessing an in
come of twenty thousand francs bcgal
to give me.
"There is yet one favor which l wisl
to ask" said NJ. Bergeret "you arc
not acquainted with Paris you have
perhaps, but very few relatives here
come and take a family dinner with u.
to day my wife will be delighted t.
make your acquaintance.
"With the greatest pleasure"
owe dine at six if you have nj
engagement for the evening, we shall
have a few friends, and hope you vii
stay"
There are few moments which l re
member with more satisfaction thai
those of my leaving NJ. Bergeret's house
l began to believe in the reality of m,
fortune, and had thousand francs il
my pocket-a pleasure which had neve
before happened to me The fifty gold
en- Napoleons gave me an extraordinar,
impulse in fact, stood in great ncet
of them. Posscssor of twenty thousan'
francs of income, l was obliged, on my
arrival in Paris, to leave my trunk at tn
Office of the diligence, not having the
means of paying for lodging. no,
fastened to redeem it, and afterward
took coach to the first hotel pointce
out to me, where l established myself il
a handsome apartment, and put on m,
suit of mourning. l arrived with s.
much punctuality at NJ. Bcrgeret's, tina
he had scarcely had time to finish telling
my history to his wife. She, however
had heard enough to cause me to be re
ceived as friend of the house. Every on
did the amiable to me met beauti
full woman, and overheard whispered re-
marks made upon me-modest bearing
great skill, splendid business talents
Thus, when NJ. Bergeret entreate
me to regard his house as my own,
promised willingly, although l coul'
l,k -, AZ: