"That seems a pity, just as he has received such an advance," remarked Letty. "I thought his position at the chemical works was all that could be desired. He is foreman: is he not?"
"Yes; and with a good salary. With a little economy, he might easily clear off the encumbrance on his house and lot; but the business is not genteel enough to suit him. He talks of going into the cigar and liquor business with Mr. Van Horn."
"Well, it seems to me, making harmless perfumes and useful chemicals and medicines is a much more respectable business than selling liquors."
"So it seems to me; but in the one case he is only foreman in a manufactory, while in the other he will be a partner."
"But such a business, John! And I don't suppose Joseph knows any thing about it."
"No,—no more than I; but he says Van Horn does. He has been engaged in it before."
"I don't like that man," said Letty. "I cannot exactly say why; but I have no confidence in him. Besides, it is such a calling!—Making money out of the sin and misery of one's fellow-mortals; for that is what selling liquor amounts to."
"So I told Joe; but he thinks my notions very old-fashioned and narrow. He says some one must sell liquor, and it may as well be him as any one else; and, besides, they will only sell at wholesale,—never by the glass."
"What nonsense!" exclaimed Letty. "How would the dram-sellers obtain their supplies, if not from the wholesale dealers?"
"I am afraid they will make a bad business of it in more ways than one," said John. "I don't like to have a man give up the work he is used to, for that which he does not understand, unless there is some very good reason for it. People much more commonly lose than gain by such a course."