human
I think he is a promising lad, said the banker.
gpt
I have taken a great liking to him. He has a droll, comical way that is very pleasing.
human
Is that you, Bob Hunter?
gpt
I should think it is,
human
Say, Bob, where did you get 'em?
gpt
Why, I bought 'em, of course. How does anybody get new clothes?
human
They are slick, though, ain't they, Bob? said young Flannery, admiringly,
gpt
I should think I did, replied the latter;
human
Bob, you was always lucky. I wish I was as lucky as what you are. I never strike no snaps, Bob.
gpt
Don't you?
human
No, they don't never come my way,
gpt
Tom, said he, with the air of a Wall Street banker,
human
For me, Bob!
gpt
Why, yes, of course it's for you. Why not?
human
I don't understand it, Bob,
gpt
Why, it's one of them snaps. You said you never had any luck like me, so I thought I'd just give you some.
human
Bob, you're a dandy. I never see any feller do things the way you do.
gpt
Well, I do try to throw a little style into 'em, when it's handy to do it.
human
I should think you do.
gpt
You see, Tom, it don't cost no more to do things as they ought to be. I believe in doing 'em right, that's what I say.
human
TOM, SAID BOB,
gpt
HERE'S A FIVE FOR YOU.
human
But, you see, Bob, believing in 'em and knowing how to do 'em is two different things. Now I believe in 'em just the same as what you do, but I can't do 'em the same way.
gpt
Well, you ain't so old, Tom.
human
I know I ain't, but that don't make no difference, for when you was no older than what I am, why you done things in a awful grand way.
gpt
And he gave you all that money to buy these new clothes with! He is a bully old fellow, ain't he, Bob?
human
I should say so, responded Bob.
gpt
But I didn't spend it all, though.
human
How much did you put up for 'em, Bob?
gpt
Fifteen dollars, that's all.
human
They are swell, though, I tell you, Bob, and you look like kind of a masher,
gpt
Well, I ain't no masher, but I think myself they do look kinder slick.
human
And you got five dollars left, too?
gpt
Yes, jest the same as what you have, Tom.
human
What you goin' to do with it, Bob?
gpt
I hain't thought about that yet. What you goin' to do with yourn?
human
I guess I'll keep it, Bob, till next summer, and put it up on the races.
gpt
What do you want to do that for, Tom Flannery?
human
Why, to make some money, of course.
gpt
Are you sure you will make it?
human
Of course I am, Bob. Nobody what knows anything at all can't lose when he has so much as five dollars to back him. It's them that don't have nothin' what gets broke on racin'.
gpt
You know all about it, I suppose?
human
Why, of course I do, Bob; I've made a stake lots of times.
gpt
And lost lots of times, too, I s'pose.
human
Well, that's because I didn't have enough capital.
gpt
But answer me this, Tom Flannery, said Bob, pointedly:
human
You admit you did get wiped out at bettin', do you?
gpt
Well, yes, I s'pose I did, Bob.
human
And you'll get broke again, if you go at it. I tell you, Tom, they all get left, them that bets on horse racing.
gpt
But don't some of them make slats of money? Answer me that.
human
They don't make no money what sticks to 'em.
gpt
What do you mean by that, Bob? I don't understand.
human
I mean that they lose it the same way they make it, so it don't stick to 'em. Do you see?
gpt
Yes, I see. But how's a feller like me goin' to make any money, Bob, if he don't bet any?
human
Now, Tom, you're gettin' to somethin' I've been thinkin' about, and I'll let you into the secret. You see, Tom, I don't believe in horse bettin' the way you do, but I ain't afraid to take chances all the same.
gpt
What is it, Bob?
human
Wall Street,
gpt
Do you mean it, Bob?
human
Of course I mean it, Tom. There's piles of money down there.
gpt
I know there is, Bob, but how are fellers like you 'n' me going to get it?
human
Why, by speculatin', of course. How does any of 'em make it?
gpt
Them fellers are all rich, Bob. They didn't go down there the same as what we would go, with only five dollars,
human
They didn't, did they? Well, tell me if Jay Gould, and the old man Sage, and half a dozen more of them big fellers, didn't go into Wall Street without a cent?
gpt
I can't tell you, Bob; I never heard anybody say,
human
Well, Tom Flannery, I should think you would find out such things. Don't you never want to know anything?
gpt
I ain't been thinkin' about Wall Street, and them fellers you speak about, Bob, apologized Tom.
human
But I wish you'd tell me about 'em, for I'd like to know how they made their money.
gpt
Well, I'll tell you some other time,