The merchant shook his head.
Then you live extravagantly for a young man of your age and condition. How much do you pay for boarding?"
"Four dollars a week."
"Too much by from fifty cents to a dollar. But, even paying that sum, four more dollars per week ought to meet fully all your other expenses, and leave you what would amount to nearly one hundred dollars per annum to lay by. I saved nearly two hundred dollars a year on a salary no larger than you receive."
"I should like very much to know how you did it. I can't save a cent; in fact, I hardly ever have ten dollars in my pocket."
"Where does your money go, Jacob? In what way do you spend a hundred dollars a year more than is necessary?"
"They are spent, I know; and that is pretty much all I can tell about it," replied Jacob.
"You can certainly tell by your private account book."
"I don't keep any private account, sir."
"You don't?" in surprise.