es Shimko had the
reputation of being a harsh landlord. Had Zamp but known it, however,
store property on Canal Street was not in active demand of late, by
reason of the new bridge improvements, and Shimko's amiability
proceeded from a desire to retain Zamp as a tenant if the latter's
solvency could be preserved.

"But I couldn't help myself, Mr. Zamp," Shimko went on. "I got no
business keeping a restaurant at all."

As a matter of fact, Mr. Shimko's late restaurant was of the variety
popularly designated as a "barrel-house," and he had only retired from
the business after his license had been revoked.

"Yes, Mr. Zamp," Shimko continued; "in a business like that a feller
shouldn't got a heart at all. But I am very funny that way. I couldn't
bear to see nobody suffer, understand me, and everybody takes advantage
of me on account of it. So I tell you what I would do. My wife got a
sort of a relation by the name Miss Babette Schick, which she works for
years by a big cloak and suit concern as a designer. She ain't so young
no longer, but she got put away in savings bank a couple of thousand
dollars, and she is engaged to be married to a young feller by the name
Isaac Meiselson, which nobody could tell what he does for a living at
all. One thing is certain--with the money this Meiselson gets with Miss
Schick he could go as partners together with you, and pull you out of
the hole, ain't it?"

Mr. Zamp nodded again, without enthusiasm.

"Sure, I know, Mr. Shimko," he said; "but if a young feller would got
two thousand dollars to invest in a business, y'understand, why should
he come to me? If he would only got five hundred dollars, Mr. Shimko,
that would be something else again. But with so much as two thousand
dollars a feller could get lots of clothing businesses which they run a
big store with a couple of cutters, a half a dozen salesmen, and a
bookkeeper. What have I got to offer him for two thousand dollars? Me,
I am salesman, cutter, bookkeeper, and everything; and if this feller
comes in here and sees me alone in the place, with no customers nor
nothing, he gets an idee it's a dead proposition. Ain't it?"

Shimko pulled out a full cigar-case, whereat Zamp's eye kindled, and he
licked his lips in anticipation; but after Shimko had selected a dark
perfecto, he closed the case deliberately and replaced it in his
breast-pocket.

"A business man must got to got gumption," he said to the disappointed
Zamp; "and if