“Pray, sir, what rates can be obtained?” he asked of the broker, in an excited tone, as he entered his office ten minutes afterward.
“I do not think sales can be effected at any price to-day,” was replied. “All is doubt and uncertainty about the stock. I should not wonder to see it down to fifty, within a week.”
“Fifty! Good heavens! Never!”
“I hope not; but things look squally.”
“Had I better take sixty-five, if I can get it?”——
“Yes, or sixty either. My advice is, sell at the first offer.”
“Very well, get me an offer as soon as you can.”
The offer came in a few days; it was fifty-seven dollars.
“Fifty-seven!” ejaculated Mr. Townsend. “That’s out of the question!”
“It’s the best I can do for you.”