Quite satisfactory, wasn’t it?
I did not go to shoddy character in Fifth Avenue, because it was a horribly long pull there in the street “cars:”—thought bank reference sufficient, wouldn’t you?
Perfectly satisfactory, I thought; and told Brown of Philadelphia so at our next meeting, when I lunched with him by appointment.
We next went to see the office—our office—in Broadway, afterwards. Just the thing—possibly a trifle small; but then we could enlarge in time, eh? Not the slightest doubt. Brown of Philadelphia and I excellent friends. He dined with me at an hotel that day—at my expense on this occasion.
After dinner, arranged business matters as partners should do, drawing up a deed of associationship, and so on. Brown of Philadelphia produced roll of dollars in “greenbacks” - his share of the capital of our embryo firm. I produced roll of “greenbacks”—my share of capital of embryo firm. Both parcels sealed up; and given into Brown of Philadelphia’s custody, as senior partner, to deposit same in our joint names at a bank on the morrow.
Brown of Philadelphia and I then parted with words and signs of mutual respect and admiration; and I hied me to my Brooklyn lodgings in high delight at the fortunate turn in my affairs.
Why, I would be rich in a few months; and then:—
What delightful dreams I had that night!
We were to meet again the next morning punctually at “ten sharp” at “the office.”
I was there to the minute, but Brown of Philadelphia wasn’t; and, although I waited for him many subsequent minutes after the appointed time, he never came—nor have I clapped eyes on him from that day to this.