"So you are," said his employer. "Have you not money in the bank?"

Henry smiled.

"I don't think that will go very far," he said.

"Perhaps not, and, therefore, if you are going to take part in my venture, I suggest that you borrow five hundred dollars."

Henry was surprised once more. He began to think Mr. Hamilton was out of his head. Yet he did not look so. On the contrary, as he smiled kindly upon Henry, he looked what he was, a shrewd, kindly, long-headed man of business. Still, he had just advised an almost penniless boy to borrow five hundred dollars.

"I don't know anybody that would lend me so much money," said Henry.

"Why don't you apply to me?" suggested his employer.

"Would you lend me five hundred dollars?" asked the boy, in surprise.

"Am I to regard that as an application?" inquired Mr. Hamilton.

"Yes, sir," said Henry, "if you think it well for me to borrow it."

"Then I answer yes, upon conditions. First, let me explain why I advise you to borrow. I have little doubt that you will find the venture a profitable one. Next, you may place your savings-bank book in my hands as security. Thirty-five dollars will pay a year's interest on the five hundred dollars I lend you; so my interest is secure."

"But suppose the speculation shouldn't pay, Mr. Hamilton?"

"As to that, I know so much about it that I am willing to take the risk. I do not scruple to say that if the money were to be placed in your hands for investment, according to your own judgment, I should have some doubts as to your being able to repay it to me at the end of the year."

"Probably you are right, sir," said Henry.

"But, as it is, I am willing to take the risk. Do you think of any objections?"

"I was only thinking," said Henry, "that I might want to save up more money from my wages; but if you have the book I could not have them entered."

"There will be no trouble about that. Though you leave this book with me, you can start another account in another savings-bank. Indeed, I would advise you to do so. There is an old saying: 'Never put all your eggs in one basket.' So it may be as well to divide your money between two banks."

"I didn't think of that, sir. I will follow your advice."

"I don't know that I have any more to say to you. We understand each other now. I will put you down on my books as a partner, to the extent of five hundred dollars, in my Rotterdam shipment, and you may place the savings-bank book in my hands tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir. I am very grateful to you for your kind interest in me."

"That is a good boy one of the right stamp," soliloquized the merchant. "A boy who has the prudence and self-denial to save money out of a weekly income of five dollars is bound to succeed in life. I will push him as he deserves."

"Well, Henry," asked the clerk, curiously, "have you been receiving a lecture from the boss?"

"Yes," answered Henry, smiling.

"Did he blow you up?"

"Not very high."

"You've been with him full twenty minutes."

"We were discussing important business," said Henry.

"I hope it was satisfactory to you."

"Very much so."

"You haven't had your pay raised, have you?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"From five to seven dollars a week."

"That's a good raise. I wonder whether I'm to be raised, too."

"Perhaps so."

"I hope so, for I'm fifty dollars in debt, and don't see how I am to pay it."

"You get twelve dollars a week, don't you?"

"Yes; but what's twelve dollars?"

"I have been living on five."

"And you don't owe anything?"

"Not a cent."

"Blessed if I see how you do it! I need fifteen, and I ought to have it."

"He's like Sam," thought Henry. "If Mr. Hamilton finds out that he is in debt, he won't stand much chance of having his wages raised. I'm glad I've got something ahead. It makes me feel independent. I hope I shall make something on my borrowed money."

So Henry and Sam have both made investments. It remains to be seen how they will come out.

CHAPTER XII.

HOW SAM SUCCEEDED.

Sam did not tell Henry of his purchase of a lottery ticket, being well aware that his roommate would not approve such an investment.

"I'll wait till the lottery is drawn, and then if I get a prize I'll tell him about it. He can't say anything, then."