Avoid rash speculation, try to
behave like a gentleman; and if you will take my
advice, confine yourself to a safe, conservative
business in railroads. Breadstuffs are tempting, but
very dangerous; I would not try breadstuffs at your
time of life; but you may feel your way a little in
other commodities. Take a pride to keep your books
posted, and never throw good money after bad. There,
my dear boy, kiss me good-bye; and never forget that
you are an only chick, and that your dad watches your
career with fond suspense."
The commercial college was a fine, roomy establishment,
pleasantly situate among woods. The air was healthy,
the food excellent, the premium high. Electric wires
connected it (to use the words of the prospectus) with
"the various world centres." The reading-room was well
supplied with "commercial organs." The talk was that of
Wall Street; and the pupils (from fifty to a hundred
lads) were principally engaged in rooking or trying to
rook one another for nominal sums in what was called
"college paper." We had class hours, indeed, in the
morning, when we studied German, French, book-keeping,
and the like goodly matters; but the bulk of our day
and the gist of the education centred in the exchange,
where we were taught to gamble in produce and
securities.
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