“I suppose we will know next winter, and if it be decided that the Texas Pacific is to be built, I will immediately accept your proposition, and put in some money with you.”
“I can take half, or a third of the stock, and put in some money for Don Gabriel and Victoriano; and Everett can come in, too. You can easily instruct Don Gabriel in the banking business.”
“He would make a good cashier; he is a good bookkeeper already. I think I could put in twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars.”
“If you put in twenty-five thousand, I will put in that much for each of the others, Don Gabriel, Tano and Retty, and one hundred thousand for myself, or will put in thirty thousand for Don Gabriel and ninety-five thousand for myself.”
“You ought to be the president.”
“No, I want you and Don Gabriel to have the entire management. You can take in Tano and Retty, if you like, if they prove themselves efficient; but as for myself, I want to be free to attend to those mines (if they are worth working) and take care of my Alameda farm. Don't you think that two hundred thousand will be enough to start? I can put in more, if necessary, by selling some of my United States bonds. I have seven hundred and fifty thousand in United States securities, which I can convert into money at any time.”
“Two hundred thousand is more than enough. We can increase the capital, if we wish, afterward. I am glad you are so well fixed in government securities.”
“I could have had a round million if I had not sold my stock too soon; but my father kept talking to me so much against dealing in mining stocks, that I ordered Hubert Haverly to sell all I had. Fortunately he held on for a few days to my Crown Point, and sold for nine hundred thousand dollars. I was sorry enough to have lost a million for being so obedient a son, and when in that mood I promised Hubert I would not interfere again, but let him manage my stocks as he thought best. Since then he has done very well, so that now I have seven hundred and fifty thousand in United States bonds, my farm, for which Hubert paid ninety thousand, some town lots in San Francisco, and about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars in bank, besides the interest on my bonds, which I have not drawn for over a year.”
“Why, that makes you worth over a million.”
“Yes, but if I had kept my Crown Point for a few days longer I could have sold for a million and a half. However, I think the Arizona mines will reward my filial obedience,” added he, smiling, “and if we can start that bank I shall be satisfied. I think it is a pity that such men as Don Mariano and his sons do not have some other better-paying business than cattle-raising. It used to pay well, but I fear it never will again, while such absurdities as the ‘No-Fence Laws’ are allowed to exist.”