Part 20 (2/2)
”Do you think one has his liberty, as you call it, when he is poor--so poor that he can have no luxuries?”
”To be sure he does. Why not?”
”You will change your mind some day, and perhaps it will be too late.”
”I hope I shall never change my mind in favor of dishonesty and crime.”
”Do you know that a boy's chance to get rich hardly ever comes to him but once in his life?” continued old Gunwagner, undaunted.
”No, and I don't believe it is so, either.”
”Another evidence of your inexperience. When you get older, you will look back and see what I tell you is true; and if you miss this chance you will never get another one like it.”
”We don't want another one like it, so it's no use to talk about it any more.”
”That's so,” said Bob; ”he hain't got no interest in us; I can see through his trick.”
”You are mistaken, young man. If you don't want to go into the business here yourselves, I'll give you an interest in it, if you will do nothing to injure it. You see, you know about the business here now, and if you should give it away to the police, why it would hurt it, don't you understand?”
”Yes, we understand it too well, but do not want an interest in it,”
said Herbert.
”It would pay you well,” persisted the old fence; ”say about seven to ten thousand dollars each every year, and you needn't come anear it--just take your dividends every week, and that's all.”
”Well, we don't want no such dividends,” said Bob; ”nor we couldn't get 'em if we did want 'em, that's all.”
”You are mistaken again, for if you think the business don't pay as well as I say, why I can show you the money.”
”Got it with you?” said Bob.
This question pleased the old fence, and gave him renewed courage. He thought now that perhaps there was yet hope for him.
”I have it in the house,” said he.
”In cash?”
”Yes, and I can get it if you want to see it.”
”Don't see how you're goin' to get it, the way you are fixed now,”
continued Bob.
”Well, if you will not let me go for it, I can tell you where to find it.”
”Can you? Well, where is it?”
”It is in my bedroom, in the further end of the house. You will find it in the thick wallet, under my pillow.”
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