All this time the stage was conveying Hiram Meeker toward his
goal--toward Elihu Joslin. He reached New Haven in time for the boat,
and early the following morning was in New York. At this date the town
had not assumed its present magnificent proportions. Broadway, above
Canal street, was lined with private residences instead of stores, and
Bleecker street was one of the most fashionable in the city.
Nevertheless it was already imposing, especially to a young man from the
country.
Hiram had visited New York on two several occasions when a boy, in
company with his mother, but latterly had not found any opportunity to
do so. Lauding from the boat, he made his way to the then leading hotel,
'The Franklin House,' and entered his name, and presently went in to
breakfast. After he had finished, he stepped out on the sidewalk. He
beheld a continuous stream of human beings pouring along this
extraordinary thoroughfare. Omnibuses, carts, wagons, and vehicles of
every description already filled the way.
Hiram stood and regarded the scene. 'What a field here!' he said to
himself. 'Look at this mass of people. Every other man an idiot--and of
the rest, not one in a thousand has more than a medium share of brains.
What a field, indeed, to undertake to manage and direct and control
these fellows! What machinery though! Not too fast. This is the place
for me. Burnsville-pho! Now, friend Joslin, * * * *
Hiram made his way to the store of H. Bennett & Co., in Pearl street.
Mr. Bennett was in; glad to see Hiram, but wonderfully busy. He invited
his relative to dinner--indeed, asked him why he had not come direct to
his house. Then he turned away to business.
All this did not fluster Hiram in the slightest. He waited a few
minutes; then took occasion to interrupt Mr. Bennett, and say he wished
to speak with him on something of importance.
'Certainly,' replied the other. 'What can I do for you?'
'I come to New York on special business,' said Hiram. 'It is necessary I
should know just what kind of a person Elihu Joslin is--the large paper
dealer in Nassau street. I have not your facilities for ascertaining,
and I ask you, as a particular favor, to find out for me.'
'Joslin!' exclaimed Mr. Bennett. 'I hope none of your people are in his
clutches. He is a very hard case to deal with, so they say.'
'Is he rich?'
'Yes, worth a couple of hundred thousand, easy.'
'How does he stand with the trade?'
'Oh, unpopular enough, I should imagine. Can't tell you particularly--is
not in my line, you know; but if the matter is really pressing, you
shall learn all you wish to in an hour.'
'Thank you. I must know all about him prior to a personal interview,
which I am to have.'
'I see. Call in at twelve o'clock, and the information will be ready for
you.'
'One word more. Do you know the house of Orris & Tweed, auctioneers?'
'Orris & Tweed? Never heard their name before.'
'It is in the directory.'
'I dare say. That don't amount to anything.'
'Please let me know something of them, too. I am sorry to give you this
trouble; but I am a greenhorn in New York, and have a difficult matter
on my hands.'
'No trouble--at least, I don't count it such to help a friend in the way
of business. Besides, if you are a greenhorn, you act as if you know
what you are about.'
H. Bennett, of the prosperous house of Bennett & Co., would not have
devoted five minutes extra to his namesake in the way of social chat;
regarding such conduct in business hours, and in the busy season, as
worse than superfluous; but as a matter of business, though purely
incidental and profitless, he would have given the whole day to Hiram's
affair, if absolutely necessary.
Mr. Bennett here gave some special directions to one of his numerous
clerks, a sharp, active-looking fellow, with a keen eye and an air like
a game cock, who vanished as soon as they were received.
Hiram left the store, and turning into Wall street, walked on till he
reached Nassau street, in which was the establishment of Elihu Joslin.
He strolled on without any special purpose, till his attention was
arrested by an obstruction on the sidewalk. It was simply the ordinary
circumstance of the delivery of goods. In this instance a dray was
backed up to the curbstone, with paper. Hiram looked at it carefully. It
was of Mr. Burns's manufacture. He glanced up to see the name of the
house. It was not Joslin.
A new thought flashed on him. Actuated by it, he commenced to speak with
the carman, but checked himself, and walked boldly into the store, and
back to the counting room.
'I see you have Burns's paper. I want to purchase a small quantity of
it.'
'We couldn't supply you, to-day--have just got this in to fill an order.
His paper stands so high that it is scarce in the market. How much do
you want? We may get some more in by Thursday.'
'Only a few reams to make out an assortment. I suppose I can buy of you
on as good terms as of Joslin.'
'For a small lot, I am sure, better; indeed, I have this direct from
him, which is the same thing as if sent from the mill. You know the
manufacturers will sell only to jobbers. You are in the retail line, I
presume?'
'I am; and I wish you would spare me a couple of reams out of this lot,
and send them round to H. Bennett & Co.'s, Pearl street.'
The merchant recognized in Hiram a young country storekeeper, and,
desirous as all merchants are to make new acquaintances, was willing to
accommodate him. H. Bennett & Co. was a first-class name, and this
decided him to break into the lot, which was already sold to somebody
else.
Hiram paid for his purchase, called up a carman instanter, and never
took his eye off the paper till it was delivered at Mr. Bennett's store.
That gentleman was standing at the door, saying good-by to a first-rate
customer, when Hiram came up with his cart, and directed his two reams
of paper to be deposited inside.
'Well, youngster, what's all this? said Mr. Bennett, good humoredly.
'A little speculation of mine,' quoth Hiram, quietly.
'Well, men do sometimes buy their own _paper_, I know--that is, when
there is a promise to pay written on it; but this is a blank lot.'
'It will prove a prize to me, unless I am mistaken.'
Mr. Bennett caught the general idea on the instant. The two exchanged
looks, such as are only current between very 'cute, knowing,
sharp-witted men. Hiram was betrayed into returning Mr. Bennett's leer
before he was aware of it. It was a spontaneous recognition, and he felt
ashamed at being thus thrown off his guard. He colored slightly, and
said something about his duty to his employer.
'There's where you're right,' replied Mr. Bennett. 'A man who does not
serve his employer well will not serve himself well in the long run;
that you may be sure of.'
The conversation ended here. Hiram strolled out again for half an hour;
and when he returned, Mr. Bennett was able to give him a daguerreotype
of Elihu Joslin's character, which agreed with that with which we have
already favored the reader. As to 'Orris & Tweed, auctioneers,' they
were not much better than Peter Funks--lived by acting as stool pigeons,
and cheating generally.
Hiram left the store rejoicing at this intelligence, and took his way
direct to Joslin's place. Inquiring if that personage was in, he was
told yes, but specially engaged. Hiram sat for a full hour, waiting
patiently: then he was told to go into the private counting room.
Entering, he beheld a large, overgrown, rough-looking man, about five
and thirty, with black hair and eyes, and a coarse, florid complexion,
who looked up and nodded carelessly on his entering.
'This is Mr. Joslin, I presume?'
Yes.'
'My name is Meeker, I come from Burnsville--am in the employ of Mr.
Burns.'
'Well?'
'I have come down to take a look at York, and knowing you owned half the
paper mill, guessed you was a friend of Mr. Burns, and might not object
to let some of your folks show me about a little.'
'You don't belong in the mill, then?'
'No; but I've been all over it. It's curious work--paper making.'
'How long are you going to stay here?'
'Well, I want to make a little visit and see the place. In fact, I've a
notion to come here by-and-by, and I would like to look about first.
Don't you want a clerk yourself?'
'What can you do?'
'I can tend store first rate.'
'What do you want to leave Burns for?'
'I didn't say I wanted to leave him. He's a first-rate man, if he was
only a little sharper--got too many soft spots: that's what I hear folks
say. But I think I should like New York.'
'Well, Nicker--'
'Meeker, if you please.'
'All right, I say, Meeker; we are pretty busy now, but if you want to
see the elephant--and I suppose you do--I will introduce you to one of
my boys, who will give you a chance.'
He stepped out, beckoning Hiram to follow.
'Hill! Tell Hill to come here, some of you. Hill, this is Mr. Meeker, in
the employ of our particular friend, Mr. Burns, of Burnsville. He wants
to see something of the city. You must do what you can for him. I would
not wish to slight any one, you know, who belongs with Mr. Burns.'
'All right, sir,' said Hill, a jaunty, devil-may-care looking fellow,
with a sallow, sickly face, evidently the result of excess and
dissipation.' If the young gentleman will tell me where he stops. I will
call for him this evening.'
'At the Franklin House,' responded Hiram.
'The devil!' exclaimed Joslin. 'Tall quarters, I should say.'
'Ain't it a good place, sir? I was told it was a good house on board
the boat.'
'Good! I should think it was. The best in New York. A dollar and a half
a day: did you understand that?'
'No, sir; I did not ask the price.'
'Green, that's a fact,' said Joslin to himself.' Never mind,' he
continued, 'Hill will recommend you to his boarding place, if you like.
Good day;' and Hiram took his leave.
'I say, Hill, I want to find out how matters stand with Burns. You've
got just the chance now. Put this chap through generally. His mother
don't seem to know he's out. Don't mind a few dollars: you understand?
And recollect, pump him dry.'
'Dry as a sandbank,' said Hill, who was already chuckling over the sport
in prospect.
Mr. Joslin continued his instructions, which, as they were of a strictly
private nature, we should be violating confidence to record.
Hiram occupied himself the remainder of the day in looking about the
town. He took one of Brower's omnibuses and rode to the end of the route
in Broadway, opposite Bond street. Here he descended and retraced his
steps. Broadway was then the general promenade. Hiram's pulse beat quick
as he gazed on the beauty and fashion of the metropolis moving
magnificently along. Susceptible as he was, he had never before been so
impressed with female charms. He thought of the belles of Hampton and
Burnsville with a species of disgust. His own costume, which he regarded
as so perfect, he perceived had a provincial, country look, when
contrasted with that of the gentlemen he encountered. Now in business
matters, Hiram was as much at home and as self-possessed in New York as
in Connecticut. But when it came to the display he now beheld, he felt
and acknowledged his inferiority.
Here Hiram _was_ green. He did not stop to reflect that fine feathers
make fine birds, so suddenly was he confronted with the glittering
panorama. He continued to mingle with the crowd which swept along, and
sometimes the blood would rush swiftly to his brain, causing him to
reel, as dark eyes would be turned languidly on him, exhibiting, as he
was ready to believe, an incipient interest in his destiny.
Below Canal street the character of the current began to change, till
gradually Hiram was freed from the exciting trial he had been subjected
to. He collected his thoughts and brought his mind back to his work--and
his work Hiram Meeker never neglected. Slowly the old current drove out
the new. Gradually his mind returned to its even tenor. He walked
through the custom house. He entered the exchange. He visited the
shipping; and when he got back to the hotel, he was tired and hungry
enough. But, tired and hungry as he was, he proceeded at once to open
his valise and take out a bundle of papers. Glancing over certain
account sales, his eye fell on the name of HILL as purchaser. A
peculiar gleam of satisfaction passed over his face as he replaced the
papers in his valise and went down to dinner.