“Ye-es,” answered the mechanic, doubtfully.
“I am Mr. Chase. We do a general banking and brokerage business. Let me see, what is the denomination of your bond?”
“Eh?”
“I mean, of what size? Is it a fifty, or a hundred?”
“It’s only a fifty, sir. It was a present to my wife. Now she wants to use a little money, and so she has got me to sell it.”
“We give rather higher prices than most brokers,” said Chase, smoothly.
“How can you do that?” asked the mechanic, who was a man of good common sense.
“Well, you see, we ship ’em to Europe, and make a handsome profit. It would be for your advantage to sell to me; but you must act your own will.”
The mechanic began to think more favorably of the proposal, and asked one or two more questions. Finally he said:
“Well, I don’t know but I might as well. Have you got money enough with you?”