"Bob, I"m going to resign," said Fred, when they came out from Bowles"
office.
"Resign what?"
"My place at Tracey"s."
"Well, I think you can afford to."
"Yes. We can go in on our own hook now," and he went over to the office and told the gruff old broker he wanted to quit.
"What"s the matter?" Tracey asked.
"Going to open a bank."
"What with, a jimmy?"
"No, a key."
"Going to play c.r.a.ps, I guess. Do you know a boy I can get?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring him here then and I"ll let you off."
In half an hour Fred had a youth on hand who lad been looking for a place for mouths. He then went downstairs and joined Bob. They agreed to keep the deal a secret as long as possible. Bob was to wait for Gertie Clayton, Bowles" typewriter, and warn her to say nothing about it to any one, while Fred was to wait for Callie as she came out of Barron"s bank.
When business closed for the day, Fred saw Callie come up and go up toward Broadway. He soon joined her.
"Have you heard the news from the deal in M. & C.?" he asked her.
"No. How did is turn out?"
"It sold at 80."
"Did you sell?"
"Yes."
She made a rapid calculation and said:
"You have made a fortune."
"Yes, so we have, but mum is the word."
"Do I get anything?"
"Of course; ten percent."
She gasped, turned pale, and seemed almost ready to faint.
"I have a check for your share in my pocket," he added.
"How much is it?"
"Seventeen thousand."
"Oh, Fred!"
"Do suppose you would turn up your nose at a eager boy now if he were to come courting he remarked.
"That depends on who he is and how he behaves himself," she replied, regaining control of herself.
Then a minute or two later she asked:
"What am I to do? Please tell me for my head is all in a whirl."
"Oh, don"t lose your head," said he laughing. "Just leave it where you left the other one and that will be all right. Keep your eyes and ears open for another tip."
"Why, must I keep on at work?"
"Yes, of course. How can you get any tips if you don"t?"
"I"m afraid I can"t do much work with so much money in bank."
"Why, that ought to make you work harder. You should not think of stopping before you have made at least one hundred thousand dollars.
Then you could live in a fine house and keep a carriage."
They went on up the street talking and laughing. He gave her the check and she put it in her pocket.
"Now, Callie," he said, "I"ve rented a flat in the block above where you live and have bought some furniture for it. I want you to select the carpets, curtains and other things for me, as I don"t know what they are worth, or even what sort to get. I am preparing a surprise for my aunt and sister."
"Oh, that is good of you! They don"t know of your good luck yet?"
"They don"t even dream of it."
"Oh, what a surprise it will be to them. Of course I will help you, Fred. Where are you going to buy?"
"Come along with me," and they went to a big store where he had already purchased some things. She had good tastes, good judgment and was a quick buyer. In half an hour she had made the selections; Fred paid the bill and ordered everything put into the flat as soon as possible.
Then he saw her home, left her at the entrance and made his way across town toward his aunt"s humble abode. She was still at work over the tub, and, as a matter of course, very tired.
"I"ll break all that up in a few days," he said to himself.
Two days later Broker Bowles said to him:
"You can get Risley & Cohn"s offices, but the rent is high--$5,000 a year. They ask $3,000 for the furniture as it stands."
"Take both for Halsey & Company," said Fred. "Pay one year in advance.
I"ll give you a check for $8,000," and he did.