‘Oh, he will sell to me, I shall give lots of money, only tell me where I can find him, that is all I ask of you?’
‘I certainly shall not tell you where to find him, so you might as well go home.’
‘Look here, young man, you are not rich, I will make you rich if you will only bring me to the farm, so that I can speak to him myself. I will give you one tousand pounds for only telling me the man’s name and address.’
The Jew mostly spoke with a fairly good accent, but whenever he got excited, he dropped into his Jewish accent.
‘I shall not give you his name and address, not for a thousand pounds or more,’ was Steve’s reply. The Jew looked surprised, but he thought Steve must be sticking out for a better offer.
‘I shall give you two thousand pounds, only for a name and address,’ he bid again.
Steve shook his head.
‘Young man, don’t tread your fortune under feet; you will never get such an opportunity again; I shall make you a good final offer now. Give me the name and address, tell me where you got that sample of quartz from, and I shall give you five thousand pound, and if I secure it, I shall give you ten thousand pound, now is your chance, take it.’
Steve smiled at the persistence of the Jew. He sat thinking for a minute or two, while the Jew sat watching him eagerly. At last he said,—
‘I will tell you what I will do. I shall go out to-morrow and see the gentleman. I will do my best with him. If I can persuade him to see you, I will tell you so the day after to-morrow; if you can succeed to buy the farm from him, I will accept your offer, if not, then I do not want your money. Good night.’