"
So after the fat gentleman had made this rather bluff, but honest-
hearted speech, and poor Mrs. Newton had wept, and thanked him in
language that sounded more polite, the good old gentleman told her
his whole history.
He began the world very poor, and without relations able to assist
him; he was at last taken into the employment of a young merchant in
the city; he had a turn for business, and having been able to render
some important services to this young man, he was finally, to his own
surprise, and that of every one else, taken into partnership.
"During all this time," said he, "I was attached from my boyhood to
the daughter of the poor schoolmaster who first taught me to read; I
would not marry her while I was poor, for I thought that would be to
make her wretched instead of happy; but when I was taken into
partnership I thought my way was clear; I went off to Bethnal Green,
and told Mary, and our wedding-day was settled at once. Well, we were
glad enough, to be sure; but a very few days after, my partner called
me into the private room, and said he wanted to consult me. He seemed
in high spirits, and he told me he had just heard of a famous
speculation, by which we could both make our fortunes at once.
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