Meredith's proposition took Benjamin by surprise, and evidently seemed impracticable to him.
"And have poverty for our capital?" replied Benjamin with a laugh. "I am about as rich as you are."
"No; have money for our capital, all that is necessary to start us well in business," answered Meredith.
"That would be fine, I declare; but I would like to see the money first," added Benjamin, before Meredith could explain.
"Hold on a minute, let me explain, and you will see that my plan is not so impracticable as you seem to think. My father has money; and he has always said that he would start me in business whenever I got a good knowledge of it. He knows, of course, that I have not that knowledge yet; but he knows, too, that a man who can run Keimer's establishment has the requisite knowledge, and would be a good partner for me."
"But your father will never advance the necessary capital," interrupted Benjamin. "If I was ten years older he might do it."
"I am confident that he will; at any rate, I will consult him about the matter, and learn just what he will do. I have told him all about you, and he will think it is a good opportunity for me."
Meredith consulted his father, and received the prompt answer:
"Yes, I will do it gladly. I know of no young man I would select for your partner in preference to Franklin."
In a subsequent interview with Benjamin, Mr. Meredith said: