Indeed, I had no sooner called to mind how grown-up men and women of

considerable estate will lose their temper about half-penny points, than

(making an immediate allowance for my fellow-students) I transferred

the whole of my astonishment to the assistant teacher, who--poor

gentleman--had quite forgot to show me to my desk, and stood in the

midst of this hurly-burly, absorbed and seemingly transported.

"Look, look," he shouted in my ear; "a falling market! The bears have

had it all their own way since yesterday."

"It can't matter," I replied, making him hear with difficulty, for I was

unused to speak in such a babel, "since it is all fun."

"True," said he; "and you must always bear in mind that the real profit

is in the book-keeping. I trust, Dodd, to be able to congratulate

you upon your books. You are to start in with ten thousand dollars of

college paper, a very liberal figure, which should see you through the

whole curriculum, if you keep to a safe, conservative business.... Why,

what's that?" he broke off, once more attracted by the changing figures

on the board. "Seven, four, three! Dodd, you are in luck: this is the

most spirited rally we have had this term. And to think that the same

scene is now transpiring in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and rival

business centres! For two cents, I would try a flutter with the

boys myself," he cried, rubbing his hands; "only it's against the

regulations."

"What would you do, sir?" I asked.

"Do?" he cried, with glittering eyes. "Buy for all I was worth!"

"Would that be a safe, conservative business?" I inquired, as innocent

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