t-blackening and news-selling
circles.

It was fully understood by the majority of those who discussed this
startling intelligence, that it was only three weeks since the firm of
Treat & Jones had bought a house on credit, and that there was still a
mortgage of twenty cents upon it in favor of the now bankrupt
merchant, Mr. Dickey Spry. To be sure, Messrs. Treat & Jones had taken
in a new partner very recently; but there were those who knew that
this new boy had only brought to the firm three cents and two tops,
which could not bring in any very large amount of money, even though a
cash customer was found for them at once. It was very clear that this
new partner was more of a drawback than a help to the firm, and the
mystery seemed greater than ever.

Dickey Spry, on being interviewed on the subject, assumed a wise air
and shook his head gravely; which was very much as if he had said that
he was sorry to see two promising boys ruining themselves as rapidly
as these two were. Regarding the mortgage which he held on the
hogshead home he refused to say anything, save that he had bought it
back; and those who were better informed regarding transactions in
real estate at once came to the conclusion that, having foreseen the
coming ruin of his debtors, he had foreclosed the mortgage in order to
save what he could.

Owing to the possibility of his becoming a boarder at Mrs. Green's,
and a partner in the theatrical enterprise, Mopsey Dowd refused to
express any opinion on the matter; but it was said by those who called
upon him that he turned the handle of his pea-nut roaster nervously
and quickly whenever the subject was mentioned.

Meanwhile those who had caused all these speculations and doubts were
doing their best to sell their goods, and reaping almost as rich a
harvest as they had the day previous. They could not fail to notice
the singular actions of their friends, and also that whenever they
approached three or four who were talking earnestly, the conversation
would cease entirely, the boys either walking away or maintaining a
positive silence until they had passed.

It caused them no little surprise, this singular behavior on the part
of their friends; but there was too much money to be made for them to
try to understand it then, and they continued the sale of their
papers, while the others speculated gloomily as to the future of the
rash youths who would change their positions in life by such hazardous
venture