CHAPTER XXXVII.
DAVID MULLINS AGAIN.
When David Mullins saw Chester enter the office he turned pale, andlooked panic-stricken.
"You here!" he exclaimed, in a hollow voice.
"Yes, Mr. Mullins. I am surprised to meet you."
"Then you didn't know I was here?"
"I heard from Felix that you were in this part of the country."
"I am trying to earn an honest living," said Mullins, in agitation. "Myemployers know nothing to my prejudice. Do you come as a friend or anenemy?"
"Mr. Mullins, I haven't the least intention of harming you. I will noteven appear to know you. I came here to see Dean & Downie, with whom Ihave business."
"Heaven be praised! I will not soon forget your kindness. Here comesMr. Dean. Remember your promise."
At this moment Mr. Dean entered the office. David Mullins had returnedto his desk.
"This young man wishes to see you, Mr. Dean," he said, formally, whenhis employer entered.
Mr. Dean looked at Chester, inquiringly.
"I am Chester Rand, with whom you have had some correspondence," saidChester, tendering his card. "I have just arrived from New York."
The broker regarded him in surprise.
"You Chester Rand?" he exclaimed. "Why, you are a boy."
"I must plead guilty to that indictment," said Chester, smiling, "but Iam the owner of the lots which I understand are wanted for the newhotel."
David Mullins, who heard this conversation, looked up in amazement. Hehad not known of the correspondence with Chester, as Mr. Dean hadwritten his letter personally, and it had not gone through the office.
"Can you furnish any evidence of this?" asked Mr. Dean.
"Here is the letter you sent me, and here is a copy of my reply."
The broker took the letter from Chester's hand and all doubt vanishedfrom his countenance.
"I am glad to see you here so soon, Mr. Rand," he said, "as the partieswith whom I am negotiating are anxious to conclude matters as soon aspossible. Will you go over with me to Mr. Taylor's office? Taylor andPearson are the parties' names."
"I will go with pleasure."
As they walked through the chief business street Chester noticed withinterest evidences of activity everywhere. Tacoma he found wassituated, like San Francisco, on a side hill, sloping down toward PugetSound.
"What a fine location for a town," he said.
"Yes," answered Mr. Dean, "this is destined to be a large city. Ourpeople are enterprising and progressive. Seattle is at present ahead ofus, but we mean to catch up, and that ere many years."
"At what price are lots selling on this street?"
"I see you have business ideas," said the broker, smiling. "I supposeyou want to know what price you can charge for your lots."
"You are right."
"Of course it will not be right for me to advise you, being employed bythe other party, but I will give you some idea. The lot adjoining yourplot sold last week for two thousand dollars."
"Two thousand?"
"Yes."
"Probably it would be well for me to wait a year or two, as the lotswould undoubtedly command more then."
"That is one way of looking at it. Let me point out another. You havefive lots, have you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"If you sell three to the hotel company you can hold the other two fiveyears if you like. The proximity of the hotel will help to enhancetheir value."
"I see that."
"That is a point to be considered. If you ask a prohibitory price, thehotel will go elsewhere, and you may have to wait a good while beforeyou have a chance to sell. But here is Mr. Taylor's office."
The broker entered, followed by Chester. Here a surprise awaited him.
Sitting in an armchair was his venerable friend of the train, appearingvery much at home. His face lighted up when Chester came in.
"William," he said to a stout man of middle age, "this is the young manwho generously advanced money to meet my car fare when I was in dangerof being put off the train."
The younger man advanced and cordially offered his hand.
"My boy," he said, "I shall not soon forget your kindness to my father.I will gladly repay you for the money you disbursed on his account."
"I was very glad to stand his friend, sir," returned Chester, modestly.
"Let me know to whom I am indebted."
"Mr. Taylor," said the broker, "this young gentleman is Chester Rand,owner of the lots which you wish to buy."
"Is it possible?" ejaculated William Taylor. "I didn't know that theowner of the lots was a boy."
"The lots were a bequest to me from the original owner," said Chester.
"And you have never been out this way before?"
"This is my first visit to Tacoma."
"You are hardly old enough to be in business."
"I am an artist; that is, I furnish illustrations to a comic weeklypaper in New York."
"You have begun life early. I suspect you are better fitted forbusiness than most young men of your age. Here is my partner, Mr.Pearson."
In the negotiation that followed the reader will not be interested. Atlength a mutually satisfactory arrangement was made. Chester agreed tosell the three lots wanted for the hotel for eight thousand dollars,half cash and the balance on a year's time at twelve per cent.interest.
When the business was concluded and papers signed, Mr. Dean said: "Mr.Rand, I think you have made a good bargain. You might have extortedmore, but you have received a fair price and retained the good will ofthe purchaser. What do you propose to do with the four thousand dollarsyou will receive in cash?"
"I have not had time to think."
"I will venture to give you some advice. My partner, John Downie, hasmade a specialty of city property, and he will invest any part for youin lower-priced city lots, which are sure to advance rapidly."
"Then I will put the matter in his hands and rely on his judgment. Iwill carry back with me a thousand dollars, and leave with him threethousand dollars for investment."
"Then come back to the office and I will introduce you to Mr. Downie,with whom you can leave instructions."
Chester was presented to Mr. Downie, a blond young man, who lookedhonest and reliable, and they soon came to an understanding. Theywalked about the town--it was not a city then--and Chester picked outseveral lots which he was in favor of buying.
He remained a week in Tacoma, and before the end of that time allarrangements were perfected, and he found himself the owner of sevenlots, more or less eligible, in addition to the two he had reserved inthe original plot.
On the evening of the second day, as he was taking a walk alone, heencountered David Mullins.
"Good-evening, Mr. Mullins," he said, politely.
"Good-evening, Chester," returned the bookkeeper, flushing slightly. "Iwant to thank you for not exposing my past misdeeds."
"I hope, Mr. Mullins, you did not think me mean enough to do so."
"I am sorry to say that according to my sad experience eight out of tenwould have done so, especially if they had reason, like you, tocomplain of personal ill treatment."
"I don't believe in persecuting a man."
"I wish all were of your way of thinking. Shall I tell you myexperience?"
"If you will."
"When I left New York I went to Chicago and obtained the position ofcollector for a mercantile establishment. I was paid a commission, andgot on very well till one unlucky day I fell in with an acquaintancefrom New York.
"'Where are you working?' he asked.
"I told him.
"The next day my employer summoned me to his presence.
"'I shall not require your services any longer,' he said.
"I asked no questions. I understood that my treacherous friend hadgiven me away.
"I had a few dollars saved, and went to Minneapolis. There I wasundisturbed for six months. Then the same man appeared and againdeprived me of my situ
ation."
"How contemptible!" ejaculated Chester, with a ring of scorn in hisvoice.
"Then I came to Tacoma, and here I have been thus far undisturbed. WhenI saw you I had a scare. I thought my time had come, and I must againmove on."
"So far from wishing to harm you, Mr. Mullins," said Chester, "if,through the meanness of others you get into trouble you can any timesend to me for a loan of fifty dollars."
"Thank you," ejaculated Mullins, gratefully, wringing Chester's hand."You are heaping coals of fire on my head."
"You will always have my best wishes for your prosperity. If ever youare able, repay the money you took from Mr. Fairchild, and I willventure to promise that he will forgive you."
"With God's help I will!"
Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune Page 37