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Show ~00 PERSONAL ADVENTURES large advance, almost doubling his former rent. What one couldn't pay him, three or four did. And that's how it will be with ground-rents, generally, for a very long time to come.'' '' Well, I suppose you are not going to the mines, as you seem to entertain doubts re· specting theu1 ?" "Not I, faith ! I am going to do what is better than digging for gold, on a chance of finding it. I shall speculate; and, if my scheme proves successful, I shall realize a for· tune in a short time. 1-Iave you any incli· nation to join me in it?" " What kind of a spec. is it?" '' A theatrical one. I want to build a large establishment for dramatic representations. Come !-six thousand dollars, and the partner· ship is a done thing. It will be a substantial investrnent, I can tell you. You will treble your money in a few months.'' " I am not in a position to become your partner, for I am as poor as a church-mouse, just now. But I imagine that, if the specula· IN CALIFORNIA. 201 tion is really so promising and safe, you will have no difficulty in finding plenty of persons in San Francisco ready and even eager to join you." "I suppose I shalL As to its succeeding, I have no doubt about it. A theatre, you see, must attract, because here it would not only be a novelty, but 'vould offer cheap entertainment ; at least, much cheaper than the gambling-tables. People gamble here, because they have nothing better to do, and no other place to go to but the monte and roulette saloons. Besides, if need be, we can do a little in the same line ourselves. What do you think of it, eh ?" '' It appears to me to be a very feasible und er t ak "I ng, and, I dare say, will succeed; but, as I have not the dollars, I cannot join you." . ''Well, that's a fact ; for the dollars are a stne qua non. It's six thousand pities as you are j nst the sort of man I want." ' "M uc h 0 bl"I ged for your flatterinO' opinion . but th · · 0 18 ' IS not the first good chance I have K5 |