“The blindest folly of which any man could be guilty.”
“But this stock was considered the safest in the country. You can hardly blame a man for investing his money therein.”
“I blame any man for putting all he has in one adventure or security. Nothing is absolutely certain here.”
“And you really think Townsend has beggared himself?”
“There is no doubt of it in the world. I have my information from those who know. I don’t believe he is worth ten thousand dollars, if all he has were turned into cash, and his debts paid.”
“He still maintains his old style of living.”
“Yes, but that will not last long. You’ll see a different order of things before long. I can’t have much sympathy for him. Townsend, in his best days, was a hard man, and never had the slightest sympathy for one who happened to be unfortunate in business. You remember Elderkin’s failure, about three years ago?”
“Very well.”
“I was one of the creditors, and attended all the meetings. Townsend was the most unyielding of all. I shall never forget the insulting language he used to poor Elderkin, who was honest at heart, if ever there was an honest man in the world. Every one noticed it, and felt it as an outrage. ‘No man who properly attends to his business,’ he said, ‘need fail.’”
“Indeed! That is his view of the case.”