“Suppose they go down?”
“Then you lose what you put up.”
“Isn't it rather risky?”
“Of course there's some risk, but if you have a good point there isn't much.”
This was Tom Calder's view of the matter. As a matter of fact, the great majority of those who visit the bucket shops lose all they put in, and are likely sooner or later to get into difficulty; so that many employers will at once discharge a clerk or boy known to speculate in this way.
“If I had any money I'd buy some stock to-day; that is, as soon as I get to the city,” continued Tom. “You couldn't lend me five dollars, could you?”
“No, I couldn't,” answered Grant, shortly.
“I'd give you half the profits.”
“I haven't got the money,” Grant explained.
“That's a pity. The fact is, I'm rather short. However, I know plenty of fellows in the city, and I guess I can raise a tenner or so.”