for Waterman & Company. From the
first Mr. Tighe took a keen interest in this subtle young emissary.

"How's business with you people?" he would ask, genially; or, "Find that
you're getting many I.O.U.'s these days?"

Because of the unsettled condition of the country, the over-inflation of
securities, the slavery agitation, and so forth, there were prospects
of hard times. And Tighe--he could not have told you why--was convinced
that this young man was worth talking to in regard to all this. He was
not really old enough to know, and yet he did know.

"Oh, things are going pretty well with us, thank you, Mr. Tighe,"
Cowperwood would answer.

"I tell you," he said to Cowperwood one morning, "this slavery
agitation, if it doesn't stop, is going to cause trouble."

A negro slave belonging to a visitor from Cuba had just been abducted
and set free, because the laws of Pennsylvania made freedom the right of
any negro brought into the state, even though in transit only to another
portion of the country, and there was great excitement because of it.
Several persons had been arrested, and the newspapers were discussing it
roundly.

"I don't think the South is going to stand for this thing. It's making
trouble in our business, and it must be doing the same thing for others.
We'll have secession here, sure as fate, one of these days." He talked
with the vaguest suggestion of a brogue.

"It's coming, I think," said Cowperwood, quietly. "It can't be healed,
in my judgment. The negro isn't worth all this excitement, but they'll
go on agitating for him--emotional people always do this. They haven't
anything else to do. It's hurting our Southern trade."

"I thought so. That's what people tell me."

He turned to a new customer as young Cowperwood went out, but again
the boy struck him as being inexpressibly sound and deep-thinking on
financial matters. "If that young fellow wanted a place, I'd give it to
him," he thought.

Finally, one day he said to him: "How would you like to try your hand at
being a floor man for me in 'change? I need a young man here. One of my
clerks is leaving."

"I'd like it," replied Cowperwood, smiling and looking intensely
gratified. "I had thought of speaking to you myself some time."

"Well, if you're ready and can make the change, the place is open. Come
any time you like."

"I'll have to give a reasonable notice at the other place," Cowperwood
said, quietly. "Would you mind waiting a week