The latter end of this enterprise, involving
(as it did) shipwreck, confiscation, and a lawsuit with
the underwriters, was too painful to be dwelt upon at
length. "It's proved a disappointment," was as far as
my friend would go with me in words; but I knew, from
observation, that the fabric of his fortunes tottered.
For the rest, it was only by accident I got wind of the
transaction; for Pinkerton, after a time, was shy of
introducing me to his arcana: the reason you are to
hear presently.
The office which was (or should have been) the point of
rest for so many evolving dollars stood in the heart of
the city--a high and spacious room, with many plate-
glass windows. A glazed cabinet of polished redwood
offered to the eye a regiment of some two hundred
bottles, conspicuously labelled. These were all
charged with Pinkerton's Thirteen Star, although from
across the room it would have required an expert to
distinguish them from the same number of bottles of
Courvoisier. I used to twit my friend with this
resemblance, and propose a new edition of the pamphlet,
with the title thus improved, "Why Drink French Brandy,
When We give You the same Labels?" The doors of the
cabinet revolved all day upon their hinges; and if
there entered any one who was a stranger to the merits
of the brand, he departed laden with a bottle.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168