Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 ALFRED DE ROSANN. . est merchant; he is not rich—but he is persevering —and that is the essential point.” Pleased with his idea, he instantly put the scheme into execution; and M. La Motte acceded to our hero’s request, after having started a few obstacles, that were easily overruled. The examination commenced forth- with: La Motte was not a man to neglect an affair which he saw would eventually turn to his own advan- tage; and he shortly completed a most minute scru- tiny into all the books and accounts that had been kept since the demise of De Rosann’s father. The result was not very creditable to the individuals who had been left to conduct the affairs while Alfred di- verted himself elsewhere. Dreadful mismanagement had considerably involved the credit of the house, and had occasioned immense losses. But as the old man, who offered De Rosann the seasonable advice which was the origin of the present investigation, had prophesied, it was not too late to remedy the evils caused by neglect and indifference. Alfred gave La Motte a carte blanche to act as he chose; and the first step which that gentleman took towards amelio- rating the condition of the business was to discharge all the old clerks, and put others in their places. A month was sufficient to demonstrate the efficacy of this step: the new administration worked miracles in _ favour of De Rosann; the receipts of the house nearly doubled; its connexiOns were extended; new corre- spondents transmitted their orders from all quarters; and the credit of the establishment was saved. Alfred did not fail to express his entire satisfaction at these prosperous reforms, and M. La Motte again talked of the mutual advantages to be derived from a partner- ship, while De Rosann listened with attention. The result of their deliberations was, that in a few days the necessary documents were drawn up, signed, and published in the Gazette des Tribunauz and the Petites A ffiches.* * All partnerships, formed in France, must be advertised in these two journals, according to the law. GOMmiGbooksrco