ruinous in the end, for our competitors will cut too, and we shall
all lose money."

"I ain't agin the new stores," said Hiram, "but I'm teetotally agin
chopping prices down on everything and tryin' to beat the other
feller."

"How much money will it require?" asked Quincy. "Have you estimated
on rent, fixtures, stock, horses and wagons, stabling, wages and
salaries, and sundry expenses?"

"Yes, I've got it all down in black and white, it's in the safe. My
estimate, and it is as close as the bark to a tree, is six thousand
dollars spot cash."

"I'll look over your figures," said Quincy, "and if they seem all
right, I'll advance the money on the usual terms, eight per cent.,
but I must have a four thousand dollar mortgage to cover your two-
thirds, for I don't suppose you can put up two thousand apiece."

"Not this year," said Strout, as he proceeded to relight his cigar.

The door was thrown open violently and Alice rushed in.

"Oh, Quincy, Maude's horse has run away with her and I'm afraid she's
thrown and perhaps killed. I tried to catch up with her but I could
not, and I saw nothing else to do but to come and let you know."

"Which way has she gone?" cried Quincy. "How did it happen?"