CHAPTER XII.–Fred Makes a Discovery.
The great deal in Rock Island made the young bankers and speculators one of the best known firms in Wall Street. It was known that they had a vast sum of cold cash on hand, and that they had nerve and good judgment, and so scores of men came to them to buy and sell for them. Gertie Clayton received about $36,000 for the tip she had given them, and she left it on deposit in the bank.
"Bob," she said to him a few days later, "I am not going to do any more typewriting. I was not made for the business, and never did like it."
"What are you going to do, then?" he asked.
"I'll tell you what I want to do," she replied, "I am engaged to a handsome young banker and we are to marry in two years. I think it is my duty to fit myself to be his wife by educating myself so he will be proud of me when we marry."
"By George, Gertie!" Bob exclaimed, "your head is level. Get out of Wall Street and I'll come uptown and spoon with you every evening. I'll make enough for us both."
"You dear, good Bob!" she said. "I knew you would look at it as I do. You do not know how happy I am. I am going to study music and make myself an accomplished young lady so our home will not be a dull one."
She told Callie her reasons for giving up typewriting, and the latter said:
"You are right, Gertie. I would do so, too, were I so fortunate."