WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. gy

 

any other qualities. With these you may do as you
list. They tell far better than all the ‘one-price’
and fair-dealing professions, in which people have
little faith. In fact, the mass will overreach if they
can, and therefore regard these ‘honest’ assump-
tions with suspicion.” .

The young man, Edward Claire, did not make a
reply for nearly a minute. Something in the words
of Mr. Jasper had fixed his thought, and left hini,
for a brief space of time, absorbed in his own
reflections.

Lifting, at length, his eyes, which had been rest-
ing on the floor, he said—

“Our profit on to-day’s sales must reach very
nearly fifty dollars.”’

“Just that sum, if I have made aright estimate,”
replied Jasper ; “and that is what I call a fair day’s
business.” | |

While he was yet speaking, a lad entered the
store, and laid upon,the counter a small sealed
package, bearing the superscription, “ Leonard Jas-
per, Esq.” The merchant cut the red tape with
which it was tied, broke the seal, and opening the
package, took therefrom several papers, over which
he ran his eyes hurriedly; his clerk, as he did so,
turning away.

“ What’s this?” muttered Jasper to himself, not
at first clearly comprehending the nature of the
business to which the communication related.
“ Kxecutor! To what? Oh! ah! Estate of Ruben
Elder. Humph! What possessed him to trouble
me with this business? I’ve no time to play execu-
tor to an estate, the whole proceeds of which would