“You are no friend when you try to get me into danger,” said Guy.
“There’s no need of getting excited over it,” said Mr. Jones, as the shipping clerk begun pacing nervously up and down the room. “I am not trying to get you into danger. I have followed this business for years, and know that there is no trouble in carrying it out successfully; but mark you—there will be trouble if you don’t pay your debts, and serious trouble, too. What will Mr. Walker say? He thinks everything of you now—says you’re one of the finest young fellows in St. Louis.”
“Does he say that?” asked Guy, who could not remember that any one had ever spoken a word in his praise before.
“Yes, he does; and if I were you I would work hard to retain his good opinion.”
“I don’t see that I can retain it by becoming a swindler,” said Guy.
“He will never know it; but he will know there’s something wrong when your creditors carry their bills to him, as they certainly will, if you don’t settle up soon.”
“Great Cæsar!” gasped Guy, who trembled at the bare mention of the merchant’s name in connection with his debts. “Is there no other way out? Can’t you lend me some money?”
“Not a red, my dear fellow. I manage to spend all I make as soon as it gets into my hands. There is no other way out that I can think of now. As I told you before, I did not expect that you would like the business at first—I know I objected when it was proposed to me—but you will find that it will grow less distasteful the longer you think about it. It is a sure road to ease and fortune, and you had better take time to consider before you refuse to try it. But you are getting down-hearted, Guy. Let’s go out for a breath of fresh air. It will liven you up a bit.”
“No, I don’t care to go out,” said Guy. “I am in no mood to enjoy anything.”
“Then you will excuse me, won’t you? I have an engagement at this hour. I will be back at eleven, and in the meantime you had better smoke another cigar, and think the matter over.”