Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/29

 would refuse. If in banter the boys attempted to force him to join them, he would make a great outcry, and breaking away from them, would sit and mope until the school was called to order. Then he would go to the master's chair and enter a tearful complaint against his enemies. The master would thrash the other fellows, and little Gould would be tickled.

It was because his father became unpopular in the village by opposing the anti-rent movement at that time, that young Gould was obliged to leave the school nearest his home. He waited until he was fourteen years old. Then, after pondering over his prospects, he formed a resolution, and at once put it into practice by asking his father's permission to leave home, saying that he was confident in his ability to take care of himself. His father was inclined to be amused at the boy's request, which was made with much earnestness, and thinking that it was a mere passing whim, returned a careless affirmative. The family were astounded, however, the next morning, when little Jay entered the breakfast room equipped for his journey out into the world. He ate his breakfast quietly and, arising from the table, held out his hand to his father with a hearty "good-bye, father." His father was amazed at his determination, and his stepmother and sisters entreated him tearfully to remain at home. Unshaken in purpose, however, the future "Wizard of Wall Street" hastily caught up his little bundle and left his parent's house. His bundle contained a