"I sha'n't put all my money in," said the prudent John. "It's too much risk. I'd rather begin small; and then I could get my bicycle even if we failed in business."
For it must be admitted that, like reasonable beings, they looked forward to failure as the most probable ending to their enterprise. Nine men out of every ten who start in business for themselves fail; and why should not they close in this exciting and approved manner? As far back as the time of Macbeth such things were not unknown; and the boys said bravely to themselves, "'If we fail, we fail'; and so much the more interesting."
"But how much capital are you going to put in?" persisted Bob.
"Well, now, really, Bob, if we are to be even partners, I can't put any more money in than you do. It would make the thing too complicated, and not be fair to me, you know."
Bob sighed. "Only half a dollar to start the business! It will look mean. I wish I had not got so many glasses of soda-water this season. It's worse than marbles for running away with money."
"We might take in some more partners," said John, after a thoughtful pause.
"But Dick says he don't care about it, and every cent of Sam's money goes for his bantams and pigeons."
"What do you say to asking Tom Fleming?"
"No," said Bob, decisively. "When a gold mine opens before you, keep it all in the family, I say."
But the difficulty of the small capital still remained. Their anxiety lost the boys at least an hour's sleep that night, and when they woke in the morning, the same burden at once took possession of them.