"Within eight weeks I could place fifty thousand more in your hands."

"I am very sorry, but, as I said, this plan is impracticable," opposed
Greifmann. "Yet I have half a mind to accept those bills, but only on a
certain condition."

"I am willing to indemnify you in any way possible," assured the
tobacco merchant, with a feeling of relief!

"Hear the condition stated in a few words. As you know, I live
exclusively for business, never meddle in city or state affairs.
Moreover, labor devoted by me to political matters would be
superfluous, in view of the undisputed sway of liberalism.
Nevertheless, I am forced to learn, to my astonishment, that progress
itself neglects to take talent and ability into account, and exhibits
the most aristocratic nepotism. The remarkable abilities of Mr. Shund
are lost, both to the city and state, merely because Mr. Shund's
fellow-citizens will not elect him to offices of trust. This is unjust;
to speak plainly, it is revolting, when one considers that there is
many a brainless fellow in the City Council who has no better
recommendation than to have descended from an old family, and whose
sole ability lies in chinking ducats which he inherited but never
earned. Shund is a genius compared with such boobies; but genius does
not pass current here, whilst incapacity does. Now, if you will use
your influence to have Shund nominated for mayor of this city, and for
delegate to the legislature, and guarantee his election, you may
consider the bills of exchange as covered."

Not even the critical financial trouble by which he was beset could
prevent an expression of overwhelming surprise in the tobacco man's
face.

"I certainly cannot have misunderstood you. You surely mean to speak of
Ex-Treasurer Shund, of this place?"

"The same--the very same."

"But, Mr. Greifmann, perhaps you are not aware--"

"I am aware of everything," interrupted the banker. "I know that many
years ago Mr. Shund awkwardly put his hand into the city treasury, that
he was sent to the penitentiary, that people imagine they still see him
in the penitentiary garb, and, finally, that in the stern judgment of
the same people he is a low usurer. But usury has been abrogated by
law. The theft Shund has not only made good by restoring what he stole,
but also atoned for by years of imprisonment. Now, why is a man to be
despised who has indeed done wrong, but not worse than others whose
sins have long since been forgotten? W