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to give his chart a trial. At all events, they argued, the risk is small, for a loss of twenty or thirty thousand dollars will be but a continuation of past history. Their purchases were made as to quantity, quality, and variety, according to the ratio indicated by Hastings. This was a new principle of action in that house. Hitherto, their stocks had been purchased to suit all parts of the country; now they had in store only such goods as Hastings had prophesied would be wanted. The question to be solved was, has Hastings judged well of the country? When the fall season was over, the following three facts expressed the result. Their shelves were almost empty; their losses, by failure of jobbers to meet their payments, were not worthy an entry on the account of profit and loss: William Hastings had laid the foundation of his fortune; for, at the end of two years, when only twenty-one years of age, he became a junior partner in the house, and the duty of principal buyer was assigned to him. He now spent nearly all his time in travel, visiting every part of the United States, and going twice each year to Europe. The second venture made upon his judgment was even more successful. As each season was concluded, rival houses envied the bare shelves of Blodgett, Johnston, Hastings & Co., and scolded their own salesmen for their want of skill in selling goods for which there was little call.

XXV.

A Friend in Need.

"WHEN does the next steamer arrive?" said Thomas F. Griswold, about an hour after his father had placed his signature to the instrument assigning all his property to his creditors.

"I am not certain what day she is due, Thomas," replied his father, speaking in a half absent-minded tone, and heaving a deep sigh.

Thomas Griswold leaned his head upon his hands, and for a long time both son and father were engaged with their own thoughts. Thomas was first to break the silence.

"Father," said he, "I am going to be absent an hour or two. If Mr. Edgemonte calls, you know what to say."

"Yes, Thomas. I would not care for the property, if it were not on your account. You, Thomas, are all I have to remind me of the companion of my youth-the wife and mother in heaven. It is true, Thomas, you have not lost a wife; but I know your heart, and that it is broken."

"Not until my father has reaped some fruit from his son's energies worthy the reaper's scythe—then then there will be time to think of Clara Edgemonte. She will be true to me! and more-her

But accept nothing at his

father will be true to me. hands. There he comes now." And Thomas hastily left the room, and then the house, by the basement exit. Taking an omnibus, he went to the counting-house of "Blodgett, Johnston, Hastings & Co."

"Mr. Blodgett ?" said Griswold.

"That is my name, sir," said the senior partner of this firm, looking over his spectacles and placing himself in attitude for listening to Griswold.

"Mr. William Hastings, I believe, sir, is a member of your firm."

"He is, sir."

"Will you tell me when you expect him to arrive in New York?"

"He will be here in the evening train from Albany."

"I thought he was in Europe, sir," said Griswold, very happy at this information.

"He returned to America three weeks since, but has been in Canada during that time."

Griswold sat down and wrote a short note, which he addressed to Hastings, and took his departure.

At an early hour the following day, Mr. Hastings entered his counting-room. All the partners were to be present, to listen to a report of his trip. One of the most important ventures ever made by the firm was to be discussed. Mr. Blodgett was the last to arrive. As he entered, he took Griswold's note from a letter-rack and handed it to Hastings. The partners engaged in general conversation while Hastings read the following:

"MY DEAR FRIEND:

"NEW YORK, 18-.

"I must see you the first moment practicable. Call at No. Wall street. THOMAS F. GRISWOLD."

Hastings turned to his partners, and handing them the note, said

"We will have to postpone our consultation for an hour. I must make that call."

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'Why, that is the son of James Griswold, who made an assignment yesterday," said Mr. Johnston. "Has James Griswold assigned?" said Hastings, looking upon the company with an earnest anxiety. "Yes. Does he owe you anything?"

"No; but I do him, or his son rather." And Hastings seized his hat, leaving his partners so suddenly that they were lost in bewilderment.

Opening the front door, he hastily called loudly to one of the porters

"John, tell Mr. Blodgett I shall return or send him a note in an hour."

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"Mr. Griswold," said Hastings, as he entered his office, "what is it about this assignment? Tell me, iny dear friend. Has your father been ruined? and how ?"

"Yes; he has made an assignment. His assets will not meet his liabilities. I will give you a history of the whole affair. He made an invest

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"Is the story a long one?" interrupted Hastings.

"I may detain you an hour," replied Griswold.

"Very well; one, or two, or the day if necessary;" and seating himself at a table, he hastily penned a note to Mr. Blodgett postponing the consultation for the day, and requesting him to remain at the store ready for service if he should want him.

"Nothing that affects the firm, but something

which affects my friend, detains me," was the concluding passage of his note.

It was nearly noon when Mr. Blodgett received a second note from Hastings, requesting both him and Mr. Johnston to call at No.-Wall street. In half an hour both gentlemen were seated in Griswold's law office.

"Gentlemen," began Hastings, "my conduct this morning requires some little explanation. About three years since, I came to New York to seek my fortune. Thomas F. Griswold, the gentleman to whom I have just introduced you, took me by the hand, and, through Mr. Edgemonte, obtained for me a situation as clerk with Blodgett, Johnston & Co. This same Thomas F. Griswold guided all my efforts while a clerk in that house. Every day he added some new and valuable acquaintance to my list. In fact, he has made me what I am. You will both acknowledge that the profits of 'Blodgett, Johnston, Hastings & Co.' have been satisfactory since my connection with the firm. Thomas Griswold is now in difficulty. His father has made an assignment. For the want of a temporary loan, Mr. Griswold must go entirely to the wall. If his son can borrow for that period, he will save his father's property. Advance this money, and take my share in the profits of the firm as your security until the loan is refunded. I know that either one of you can do it in twenty-four hours, and not feel it."

Hastings went on for some time explaining the whole failure.

"This needs a good deal of money, my boy," said Mr. Blodgett, who looked upon Hastings as a son rather than as a partner; "but if we make merchants

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