captivated by statements and arguments
that seemed like truth, and his senses deceived by appearances. Not
that there was any design to deceive him in particular--he only
happened to be the first included in a large number whose credulity
was to be taxed pretty extensively."

"You will exhibit it, of course?" he said to Redding, after he had
been admitted to a sight of the extraordinary machine.

"This is too insignificant an affair," replied Redding. "It will not
impress the public mind strongly enough. It will not give them a truly
adequate idea of the force attainable by this new motive power. No--I
shall not let the public fully into my secret yet. I expect to reap
from it the largest fortune ever made by any man in this country, and
I shall not run any risks in the outset by a false move. The results
that must follow its right presentation to the public cannot be
calculated. It will entirely supercede steam and water power in mills,
boats, and on railroads, because it will be cheaper by half. But I
need not tell you this, for you have the sagacity to comprehend it all
yourself. You have seen the machine in operation, and you fully
understand the principle upon which it acts."

"How long will it take you to construct such a machine as you think is
required?" asked Wiseacre.

"It could be done in six months if I had the means. But, like all
other great inventors, I am poor. If I could associate with me some
man of capital, I would willingly share with him the profits of my
discovery, which will be, in the end, immense."

"How much money will you need?" asked Wiseacre, already beginning to
burn with a desire for a part of the immense returns.

"Two or three thousand dollars. If I could find any one willing to
invest that moderate sum of money now, I would guarantee to return him
four fold in less than two years, and insure him a hundred thousand
dollars in ten years. But men who have money generally think a bird in
the hand worth ten in the bush; and with them, almost every thing not
actually in possession is looked upon as in the bush."

Mr. Wiseacre sat thoughtful for some moments. Then he asked,

"How much must you have immediately?"

"About five hundred dollars, and at least five hundred dollars a month
until the model is completed."

"Perhaps I might do it," said Wiseacre, after another thoughtful
pause.

"I should be most happy if you could," quickly responded Redding.
"There is no man with whom I