Hundreds of other New Yorkers have acquired much the same kind of fame, and are exposed to the same sieges, with similar results. Fearing borrowers as Captain Cuttle feared his landlady, they seek their places of business furtively, and go home by back streets. Not infrequently they lock themselves in private rooms and hide in out-of-the-way corners, to escape itinerant chevaliers of industry. While honorable gentlemen are thus skulking to avoid borrowers, unscrupulous debtors walk composedly through the crowd, and stare their creditors out of countenance—thus showing the outward advantage that dishonesty possesses over uprightness and fair dealing.
Some persons have been victimized so often, that they have hung up placards like these in their offices:—
PRECAUTIONS OF THE PRUDENT.
“No money lent here in sums less than ten thousand dollars.”
“All applicants for loans are expected to furnish mortgages on real estate in the city.”
“Gentlemen desirous of borrowing are referred to the Rothschilds, in London, Paris, and Frankfort.”
“First-class collaterals required on all loans.”
“Rates of lending to-day, five per cent. a minute, and nothing received as security except double eagles.”
“Persons who are hard up are politely, but firmly, requested to go to the devil.”