“I would not like to encourage you to hope so,” said the broker.
“If you can get sixty-nine you may sell. I made up my mind to seventy, the quoted rates.”
“Very well; I will make the effort,” returned the broker.
On the next day, Mr. Townsend was informed that the broker had received an offer of sixty-eight, but had refused it.
“Couldn’t you get sixty-nine?”
“No, sir. Sixty-seven was the highest offer, except in a single quarter.”
“I don’t like to sell at that, and throw over fifty thousand dollars into the fire.”
“It is hard, but my advice to you is, to take the offer.”
“I will think of it,” replied Mr. Townsend; and he went away to think. In the afternoon he returned, and directed the sale to be made at sixty-eight. On the next morning he received a note from the broker, stating that the market had receded greatly from the rates of the last few days, and that the party did not feel bound to take the stock, as the offer of sixty-eight had been at first declined.
“Confusion!” ejaculated the unhappy merchant, stamping passionately upon the floor.