"Mr. Bryant and I don't love each other much, and I heard the other day of your relationship to his wife. I didn't believe it."
"Yes, it's true. I heard you had some wool hung up and labeled 'Bryant's fleece.' Is it true?"
"Yes," and Fred laughed. "I'll show it to you," and he did.
"Bryant has been very sore over it, and so has his wife. I would advise you to take it down."
"I shall advise Bob to do so. It is his fight, you know."
"Yes, so I heard. Well, good-by. I shall drop in when I come downtown. I have no office now."
"Oh, you must make this your office!" exclaimed Fred; "we have plenty of room, for we don't do much business as yet. Our rent is paid up for one year."
"Well, I guess that's more, than any other firm in Wall Street can say," and he shook Fred's hand. "I shall be glad to accept your offer, though I shall not come down often."
He went out and Fred told old Allison that he had bought Gaines' seat in the Stock Exchange. The old cashier glared in astonishment, saying:
"I'm afraid that you will make a mistake in going in there."