“It would carry four hundred thousand passengers a day, and take in twenty thousand dollars. The operating expenses would not exceed an annual four millions and a half. That, after the eight per cent, on the preferred were paid, would leave over two millions a year on the common--a dividend of twenty per cent., or five per cent, every quarter. You can see where such returns would put the stock. You, for your ride, would go into the common on the ground floor.” “We'll get to how I go in, in a minute,” responded Big Kennedy dryly. He was impressed by young Morton's proposal, and was threshing it out in his mind as they talked. “Now, see here,” he went on, lowering his brows and fixing his keen gray glance on young Morton, “you mustn't get restless if I ask you questions. I like to tap every wheel an' try every rivet on a scheme or a man before I hook up with either.” “Ask what you please,” said young Morton, as brisk as a terrier. “I'll say this,” observed Big Kennedy. “That traction notion shows that you're a hogshead of horse sense. But of course you understand that you're going to need money, an' plenty of it, before you get th' franchise. I can take care of th' Tammany push, perhaps; but there's highbinders up to your end of th' alley who'll want to be greased.” “How much do you argue that I'll require as a preliminary to the grant of the franchise?” asked young Morton, interrupting Big Kennedy. “Every splinter of four hundred thousand.” “That was my estimate,” said young Morton; “but I've arranged for twice that sum.” “Who is th' Rothschild you will get it from?” “My father,” replied young Morton, and now he lapsed anew into his manner of vapidity. “Really, he takes an eighth of the preferred at par--one million! I've got the money in the bank, don't y' know!” “Good!” ejaculated Big Kennedy, with the gleam which never failed to sparkle in his eye at the mention of rotund riches. “My father doesn't know my plans,” continued young Morton, his indolence and his eyeglass both restored. “No; he wouldn't let me tell him; he wouldn't, really! I approached him in this wise: “'Father,' said I, 'you are aware of the New York alternative?' “'What is it?' he asked. “'Get money or get out.' “'Well!' said he. “'Father, I've decided not to move. Yes, father; after a full consideration of the situation, I've resolved to make, say twenty or thirty millions for myself; I have, really! It's quite necessary, don't y' know; I am absolutely bankrupt. And I don't like it; there's nothing comfortable in being bankrupt, it so deucedly restricts a man. Besides, it's not good form. I've evolved an idea, however; there's a business I can go into.' “'Store?' he inquired. “'No, no, father,' I replied, for the odious supposition quite upset me; 'it's nothing so horribly vulgar as trade; it's a speculation, don't y' know. There'll be eight millions of preferred stock; you are to take a million. Also, you are to give me the million at once.'