Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/315

 The boy's salary was $15 a week, and when he told Mr. Sage one day that he had been offered $25 a week to go elsewhere, Mr. Sage coldly told him that he had better go, and he went. Jay Gould happened in Mr. Sage's office a few days afterward and casually remarked: "Why, where is John?"

"Oh! he has left me," said Mr. Sage. "He got extravagant notions in his head and I had to let him go. But I've got a new boy and I save $3 a week on his salary."

"You do, eh?" remarked Mr. Gould, with undisguised disgust. "Well, have you figured how much you will lose on his blunders?"

When Col. F. K. Hain was made general manager of the elevated railroads in this city, he was unknown to Mr. Gould. It was not long, however, before the quiet little millionaire began to take a lively interest in him. Col. Hain possesses qualities which excited admiration in Mr. Gould's breast. One day, not many years ago, Mr. Gould, as president of the Manhattan Railway Company, received Col. Hain's written resignation. In great surprise he sent for Mr. Hain and asked him to explain the reason for his resignation.

"Mr. Gould," said the colonel, "I have received from the Reading Railroad Company an offer of the position of general manager at a salary of $12,000 a year, and in justice to myself and my family I do not think that I ought to refuse it."

"How much are you getting here?" asked Mr. Gould.