“Are you getting into pecuniary difficulties, Joe?” asked Morgan, concerned.
“No, sir; but I want to buy some real estate.”
“Explain yourself.”
Joe did so.
“It is the best thing you can do,” said Morgan, “I will lend you the money.”
“I hope to repay it inside of two months,” said Joe.
“I think you will, judging from what you have done already.”
In two hours Joe had paid over the entire amount, for it will be remembered that he had three hundred dollars of his own, and was owner of three city lots.
“Now,” thought he, “I must attend to business, and clear off the debt I have incurred. I shan’t feel as if the land is mine till I have paid for it wholly.”
Joe found it a great advantage that he obtained his own board and lodging free. Though wages were high, the necessary expenses of living were so large that a man earning five dollars a day was worse off oftentimes than one who was earning two dollars at the East.