u know the
manufacturers will sell only to jobbers. You are in the retail line, I
presume?'

'I am; and I wish you would spare me a couple of reams out of this lot,
and send them round to H. Bennett & Co.'s, Pearl street.'

The merchant recognized in Hiram a young country storekeeper, and,
desirous as all merchants are to make new acquaintances, was willing to
accommodate him. H. Bennett & Co. was a first-class name, and this
decided him to break into the lot, which was already sold to somebody
else.

Hiram paid for his purchase, called up a carman instanter, and never
took his eye off the paper till it was delivered at Mr. Bennett's store.

That gentleman was standing at the door, saying good-by to a first-rate
customer, when Hiram came up with his cart, and directed his two reams
of paper to be deposited inside.

'Well, youngster, what's all this? said Mr. Bennett, good humoredly.

'A little speculation of mine,' quoth Hiram, quietly.

'Well, men do sometimes buy their own _paper_, I know--that is, when
there is a promise to pay written on it; but this is a blank lot.'

'It will prove a prize to me, unless I am mistaken.'

Mr. Bennett caught the general idea on the instant. The two exchanged
looks, such as are only current between very 'cute, knowing,
sharp-witted men. Hiram was betrayed into returning Mr. Bennett's leer
before he was aware of it. It was a spontaneous recognition, and he felt
ashamed at being thus thrown off his guard. He colored slightly, and
said something about his duty to his employer.

'There's where you're right,' replied Mr. Bennett. 'A man who does not
serve his employer well will not serve himself well in the long run;
that you may be sure of.'

The conversation ended here. Hiram strolled out again for half an hour;
and when he returned, Mr. Bennett was able to give him a daguerreotype
of Elihu Joslin's character, which agreed with that with which we have
already favored the reader. As to 'Orris & Tweed, auctioneers,' they
were not much better than Peter Funks--lived by acting as stool pigeons,
and cheating generally.

Hiram left the store rejoicing at this intelligence, and took his way
direct to Joslin's place. Inquiring if that personage was in, he was
told yes, but specially engaged. Hiram sat for a full hour, waiting
patiently: then he was told to go into the private counting room.

Entering, he beheld a large, overgrown, rough-looking man, about five
and thirty, with bla