“I am afraid I have overshot the mark. That asking security was a bad affair; but then, I am so in the habit of asking six or eight for one, hang me if I could resist it in this instance. The railroad stock, too: if he should inquire about it, ‘he’ll smoke me.’ Two hundred thousand dollars!—why, I’ve got but ten shares; but then, I could buy the rest at five dollars a share. A _small debt_ they owe, indeed—ha, ha, ha. I have no doubt those they owe would be glad to make it small. A promising company!—yes, they promise every thing, and perform nothing. They will never divide one-twentieth of one per cent.; and then, the Mississippi funds, too—I wish I had said at a small discount, instead of par; and then I could have fixed it at one per cent., which certainly would have been small enough, for I can buy them at 30 off. Confound my avarice—I’ve made a miss-fire. The fellow is tame as a spaniel—but then, he’s no fool; how he stared, when I puffed his State; he didn’t believe me. If he talks about this, I’m ruined; but then, I’ll deny it all, when he’s gone.” HIS GAME UP. When the commissioner went out, he proceeded to the office of Mr. Bottomly, where, upon inquiry, he learned the truth, viz: that Mississippi funds were at 30 per cent. discount, and that Long Island Railroad was worth 5 dollars a share, instead of 100. Of course, all further negotiation with John ceased, and that gentleman was left to wait the arrival of a commissioner from some state still farther west, with whom his persuasive flattery, tempered by experience in its use, would be more effectual. And here I leave him, to the disposal of _him_, whom the State has adjudged to possess a wiser head than mine. HOW TO “COME OVER” A MAN.