“Yes, he is the richest man in town.”
“Where did he get his money?”
“In California—that is, he got considerable of it there. Then he came back here and built a large shoe manufactory. I suppose he has made a good deal of money by this business.”
“Humph! I suppose he is a good deal respected, isn’t he?”
“He is looked up to, as most rich men are,” answered Tom, with a tinge of bitterness.
He could not truly say that he, for one, respected John Simpson.
“That’s all the same,” said the stranger. “Give a man money, and he’ll be respected fast enough. Does Mr. Simpson put on airs?”
“If you mean does he feel his importance, I think he does.”
“A regular tip-top aristocrat, I take it.”
“Very likely. Do you know him?” asked Tom, thinking it about time that he should change places with his questioner.