“That’s Taylor’s Saloon,” said Dick.  “When I come into a fortun’ I shall take my meals there reg’lar.”

“I have heard of it very often,” said Frank.  “It is said to be very elegant.  Suppose we go in and take an ice-cream.  It will give us a chance to see it to better advantage.”

“Thank you,” said Dick; “I think that’s the most agreeable way of seein’ the place myself.”

The boys entered, and found themselves in a spacious and elegant saloon, resplendent with gilding, and adorned on all sides by costly mirrors.  They sat down to a small table with a marble top, and Frank gave the order.

“It reminds me of Aladdin’s palace,” said Frank, looking about him.

“Does it?” said Dick; “he must have had plenty of money.”

“He had an old lamp, which he had only to rub, when the Slave of the Lamp would appear, and do whatever he wanted.”

“That must have been a valooable lamp.  I’d be willin’ to give all my Erie shares for it.”

There was a tall, gaunt individual at the next table, who apparently heard this last remark of Dick’s.  Turning towards our hero, he said, “May I inquire, young man, whether you are largely interested in this Erie Railroad?”

“I haven’t got no property except what’s invested in Erie,” said Dick, with a comical side-glance at Frank.

“Indeed!  I suppose the investment was made by your guardian.”

“No,” said Dick; “I manage my property myself.”

“And I presume your dividends have not been large?”

“Why, no,” said Dick; “you’re about right there.  They haven’t.”

“As I supposed.  It’s poor stock.  Now, my young friend, I can recommend a much better investment, which will yield you a large annual income.  I am agent of the Excelsior Copper Mining Company, which possesses one of the most productive mines in the world.  It’s sure to yield fifty per cent. on the investment.  Now, all you have to do is to sell out your Erie shares, and invest in our stock, and I’ll insure you a fortune in three years.  How many shares did you say you had?”

“I didn’t say, that I remember,” said Dick.  “Your offer is very kind and obligin’, and as soon as I get time I’ll see about it.”

“I hope you will,” said the stranger.  “Permit me to give you my card.  ‘Samuel Snap, No. —­ Wall Street.’  I shall be most happy to receive a call from you, and exhibit the maps of our mine.  I should be glad to have you mention the matter also to your friends.  I am confident you could do no greater service than to induce them to embark in our enterprise.”

“Very good,” said Dick.

Here the stranger left the table, and walked up to the desk to settle his bill.

“You see what it is to be a man of fortun’, Frank,” said Dick, “and wear good clothes.  I wonder what that chap’ll say when he sees me blackin’ boots to-morrow in the street?”

“Perhaps you earn your money more honorably than he does, after all,” said Frank.  “Some of these mining companies are nothing but swindles, got up to cheat people out of their money.”