"Yes, I know a great deal about them," answered Mr. Coleman, his eyes sparkling with pleasure at this evidence that his companion had money. "If you have any money to invest, I shall be very glad to advise you."
"Well, you see, I've just had a note for two hundred and fifty dollars paid in by a neighbor who's been owin' it for two years, and I thought I'd go up to Detroit and put it in the savings-bank."
"My good friend, the savings-bank pays but a small rate of interest. I think I know a business man of Detroit who will take your money and pay you ten per cent."
"Ten per cent.!" exclaimed the farmer joyfully. "My! I didn't think I could get over four or six."
"So you can't, in a general way," answered Coleman. "But business men, who are turning over their money once a month, can afford to pay a good deal more."
"But is your friend safe?" he inquired, anxiously.
"Safe as the Bank of England," answered Coleman. "I've lent him a thousand dollars at a time, myself, and always got principal and interest regularly. I generally have a few thousand invested," he added, in a matter-of-course manner.
"I'd be glad to get ten per cent.," said the farmer. "That would be twenty-five dollars a year on my money."
"Exactly. I dare say you didn't get over six per cent. on the note."
"I got seven, but I had to wait for the interest sometimes."