"Just as you think best, sir. I can depend upon your judgment, as you know much more of such things than I."
"Then we will go at once to the office of Mr. Ferguson, a Wall Street broker, and an old friend of mine. There we will give an order for some bank shares."
Together the two walked down Broadway until they reached Trinity Church, which fronts the entrance to Wall Street. Here then they crossed the street, and soon reached the office of Mr. Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson, a pleasant-looking man with sandy hair and whiskers, came forward and shook Mr. Bates cordially by the hand.
"Glad to see you, Mr. Bates," he said. "Where have you been for the last four years?"
"In Milwaukie. I see you are at the old place."
"Yes, plodding along as usual. How do you like the West?"
"I have found it a good place for business, though I am not sure whether I like it as well to live in as New York."
"Shan't you come back to New York some time?"
Mr. Bates shook his head.