148 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

‘“‘T wouldn’t like to say that. Of course, all plans
will not succeed; for man’s judgment is far from
possessing the virtue of infallibility. But human
reason would be a poor endowment, did it not lead
us, in most cases, to right conclusions, if we are
careful in our modes of using this high faculty.”

‘The purpose of your visit to the Kast,”’ said Jas-
per, who understood perfectly the man with whom
he was dealing, and, therefore, determined to know
at once the length and breadth of what he was ex-
pected to do, “is, I presume, to enlist some capital-
ists here in a lead-mining speculation ?”’

‘My ideas do not ‘extend quite that far,” was
Martin’s answer. ‘‘'Too many cooks, you are aware,
sometimes spoil the broth. To come to the point
at once, let me explain the purpose of my present
journey to the Kast.”

‘Well; I am all attention.”

‘‘My fur-trade business, as I wrote you a year
ago, turned out disastrously.”’

“Yes.” yi

‘¢ After that, I opened a small store ine of the
frontier towns, and I did very well, all things con-
sidered. But the gain was too slow to suit my
ideas of things; so, meeting with a fair chance, I
sold out, and bought a lead-mine, which I have been
working ever since to good profit. Recently, I
struck upon one of the richest veins ever discovered.
If properly worked, it will yield a rapid fortune.
But I have not sufficient capital to avail myself of
the advantages offered, and have come on here to
lay the matter before you, and to offer you a share
in the business.”’