Mr. Faintheart first blushed, then turned pale, rose from his seat, and his knees smote together, when he perceived that he had unluckily hit on the vulgar cognomen of Nicholas. Regarding the man with the highest veneration, and even with fear, and unable himself to comprehend, how so great a mind could exist, without more aid than falls to the lot of common mortals, he secretly believed the profane allusion to be a verity, and, in his fears, expecting a blow from the forked tail, that would annihilate him at once, he was fain to ensconce himself under the table. But perceiving that none of his comrades attempted to run away, and that Nicholas himself sat in “the armed chair, calm as a summer’s morning,” with a smile playing upon his countenance, benignant as benevolence herself, he was re-assured; the purple came to his nose again, and he stammered out, I beg pardon, I had no allusion to—to—you, sir.
“Sit down, Mr. Faintheart,” said Nicholas, “your wit amuses us.”
Mr. Faintheart sat down, but was unable sufficiently to master his disturbed, and mortified feelings, to utter another word.
EVERY MAN HAS HIS PRICE.
What further took place at this conference is not fully known, but it is generally understood that, by the advice and influence of Nicholas, it was then and there agreed, that, to revive the credit of the Morrison, it was best to have a new official organization, and to select for that purpose men of talent, shrewdness, property and credit. But as few such could be found who were willing to act, common scandal has affirmed, that resort was had to the principle, that “every man has his price,” and that sums as high as ten thousand dollars were paid, in more than one instance, to procure the requisite number, all of proper standing.
All this took place soon after the period we are speaking of, and if, by talent and shrewdness, is meant, the ability to obtain credit, when none is merited, and to know how to appropriate the avails to themselves, without incurring liability, with two or three honorable exceptions, the selection of officers was a judicious one. All these, however, were minor considerations, and when Nicholas saw his new friends installed, with a prospect of reviving the credit of the company, and not only recovering his debt, but obtaining a bolster also, to support the weary head of his great Pet, his ends were nearly answered. This was probably one of the encouragements which led to his famous letter of resignation; and, since the cotton speculation is now closed, and the commissions all realised, we must now leave him to enjoy his taste for literature, botany, and horticulture, on the banks of the Schuylkill.
FIGURES MAY BE MADE TO LIE.
A semi official statement of the affairs of the Morrison was now put forth. This also is a plan of modern invention, not called for of yore; and whenever it appears gratuitously, is always designed to support a false credit. Its success depends on such a classification, division, and subdivision of the items, that the figures will express the same things three or four times over. In this instance it was properly done, and accordingly, the stock and credit of the company were revived under its influence.
NEW CHARACTERS.
And now, said my friend, it is time I should make you acquainted with the gentlemen you saw this morning. The tall, spare, white haired gentleman, with a scooping form, a down-cast look, and a contriving countenance, is Mr. Bold Eno. You saw that he had an eye of fire; but it is only a spark struck from a heart of flint, and a conscience of steel. I have not much to say about him now, but he will figure by and by. The next is a gentleman of more noble presence, and less of the look of the d——l about him. His mouth is full of honied words, but if you believe them all, they will very likely prove “sweet to the taste but bitter in the belly.” His name is John-of-the-Field, which signifies that he is a great sportsman; but his sports are chiefly confined to shooting with the long gun. It has been said that he could shoot round a corner; but that is a slander upon the truth, and arose only from his dexterity, in always providing a corner, round which he can escape, whenever his favorite weapon throws wide of the mark. He is a lover of the arts, and his soul melts at the dulcet sounds of music. His politeness, and hospitality, can be measured only by his love of power; and his opinion of himself is, that to make him the “greatest and best” man alive, he needs only to have his own way.