"How do you like Melville?"
"Very much—so much, that I may settle down here. But, Colonel Preston, I am a man of business, and if I am to be here, I want some local interest—some stake in the town itself."
"Quite natural, sir."
"You are a business man yourself, and will understand me. Now, to come to the point, I find you have a manufactory here—a woolen manufactory, which I am given to understand is prosperous and profitable."
"You are correctly informed, Mr. Fairfax. It is paying twelve per cent. dividends, and has done so for several years."
"That is excellent. It is a better rate than I get for most of my city investments."
"I also have city investments—bank stocks, and horse-railroad stocks, but, as you say, my mill stock pays me better than the majority of these."
"You are a large owner of the mill stock; are you not, Colonel Preston?"
"Yes, sir; the largest, I believe."
"So I am informed. Would you be willing to part with any of it?"