In fact, if I had a little more I could
branch out--I'm a sort of a little tree now--like one of those saplings
they set out. I need branches."

"Tell me about it," suggested Dick.

"Well, if I had two hundred dollars more I could buy out the business of
Moses Cohen, who deals in old metal. He's getting too feeble to carry it
on, and I heard it was for sale. I made some inquiries and I found I can
get it for about five hundred dollars."

"But you said two hundred and fifty was all you needed."

"So it is. I'm only going to pay half cash, and give a mortgage for the
balance. That's the safest way. So I was in hopes you wouldn't take that
fifty. I might induce him to take this on account and wait a while for
the two hundred."

"He needn't wait at all," interrupted Dick. "I'll let you have two
hundred more, with pleasure," and he drew out his check book with a
little flourish.

"I can't give you any security but my note," said Henry. "Even that
wouldn't be good in law, as I am not of age. But it shows I mean to pay
you back."

"Of course it does."

"I'll get my father to give you his, also," went on the young lad of
business. "Though I guess it isn't worth much more than mine," and he
sighed a little, for Henry was aware of his father's failing.

"Yours is all I want," said Dick. "Tear up this old note and make out
one for two hundred and fifty dollars. Then you can buy out Cohen's
business."

Henry tore up the fifty-dollar promissory note Dick handed him and soon
had made out another for the larger amount.

"There's the check," went on Dick, handing it over.

"I'll get dad to draw up some kind of a paper giving you a share in the
business," continued Henry. "He heard about me going to buy out old
Cohen, and he wants me to incorporate and make him one of the officers.
I guess that's what he's best fitted for," and once more Henry smiled
rather sadly.

"Well, I wish you good luck," returned Dick as he shook hands with
Henry. "I'm going to put through some business deals myself soon, as for
certain reasons, I've got to make a good investment," and he thought of
his failure in the land scheme, while a vision of his Uncle Ezra came
to him like the memory of a bad dream.

It was several days after this that Dick met Frank Bender on the street.
Frank was attired in his "Sunday clothes" and seemed in a hurry.

"Where you going?" asked Dick.

"Circus."

"Where is it?"

"Over to Parkertown. They have some g