“You can become practically members, though not real members,” returned Mr. Goldwin. “That is to say you can draw a certain percentage of the profits in return for your capital and services. My proposition then is this: I will open an office and take both of you boys in with me, allowing you one half of the profits until you become of age; then we will organize a partnership, and each own a third of the business. By that time your profits, if you do not spend too much money, will enable you to own your interests clear of all incumbrance. Your present brokerage business can be done from our office, and that I shall want Bob to attend to at first, while you, Herbert, I shall expect to bear the brunt of the burden in our regular business. Your experience with me before my failure taught you what is to be done. We will commence in a small way at first, and I shall not do very much work myself. I will of course keep an eye on everything, and may bring many of my old customers back to us. Now you have heard my proposition,” continued Mr. Goldwin, “how do you like it?”
“I could not possibly like anything better,” replied Herbert, “but it seems too good to be true—more like an air castle than a fact.”
“So it seems to me,” added Bob.
“But it is a fact,” laughed Mr. Goldwin, enjoying the surprise of the two young partners, “and I am ready to start the ball rolling at once.”
“We will certainly accept the proposition, then,” said Herbert, speaking for himself and Bob; “which is, as I understand, that you are to draw one half of the profits, and that Bob and I will each get one quarter?”
“Yes, that is correct, up to the time you both become of age,” replied Mr. Goldwin.
“After that we are to become equal partners?” said Bob.
“Yes, and of course each draw one third of the profits,” returned Mr. Goldwin. “Whenever our new business,” he continued, “becomes large enough to demand Bob’s full time, I should advise selling the stamp department. Until then, however, we will hold it, as it pays a handsome little income which will swell our first year’s profits considerably.”
“Are you not ready for our game of chess, Mr. Randolph?” said Ray Goldwin, appearing in the library door.
“That depends upon your father’s wishes,” answered Herbert, all too anxious to join her.