West was more than happy to have given the task of researching possible investments over to his brother. John was highly intelligent, and his talents had been utterly wasted intheir father’s household. He was a man who needed to use his mind, but father forbade him from taking up any meaningful occupation in case it made him seem like less of a gentleman. And though John had never ceased his relentless reading, West knew he’d always felt guilty for going against his father’s wishes.
Now, looking across the table, West noticed there was a new spark in his brother that had been lacking for quite some time. All John really needed was a purpose, to be useful and able to apply his keen mind to a task.
“There are several options, some I think you’ll be more inclined toward than others. I’ll start with the most immediate,” John began.
West motioned for his brother to proceed as he took a long drought from his steaming cup of coffee.
“An old schoolmate of mine, Allen, has a shipping company that imports and exports goods to and from South Asia. Currently, he’s accepting investments in his next large shipment. The boat will launch in just a few weeks. When the ship returns with silks and spices, once Allen gets a return for expenses and fifteen percent off the top, the rest of the proceeds will be split with the investors, concurrent with the percentage they invested in the endeavor.”
“And when is the ship expected to return?” West asked.
“Within fifteen to eighteen months,” John informed him. “And the potential profit is quite high. I’m interested in this, however, because Allen is willing to make a deal with us. He’s had trouble finding investors for this voyage as quickly as before, so if we are willing to invest fifteen percent rather than the regular ten, he will give us a three percent return on the cargo from another ship, theTrade Winds,that is expected to return within the month.”
West raised his eyebrows. A return on investment that soon could be quite the boon and would provide the capital needed to invest in new farming equipment for the estate.
“I know, it’s an appealing prospect,” John said, reading his expression.
“So what’s the downside? There must be one, it sounds too good to be true.”
“There is always a risk when investing in shipping, as you know. Boats can sink or be lost at sea if they encounter bad weather, and piracy is always a possibility.”
“What do you think, John, is it worth the risk?” West trusted his brother’s instincts in such matters and would proceed as he advised.
“I do, if we also invest in longer-term, more stable possibilities.” John paused to take a large bite of his scone before continuing.
West smirked as a dollop of cream fell onto John’s waistcoat, causing him to growl in frustration. “And do you have suggestions for these longer-term opportunities?”
“I do,” John replied with a scowl as he took a napkin to said waistcoat, scrubbing the offending stain to little effect. Throwing down the napkin in frustration after a moment, he looked back up at West.
“Manufacturing of cloth is a growing trade in the North, and it’s proving to be quite profitable. That said, I don’t believe it’s a business you will wish to become involved in.”
“No, I do not,” West answered succinctly. “I refuse to profit off the backs of children any more than West Africans. I’m trying to improve the moral standing of this family, not entangle it in another sordid venture.”
John gave a curt nod. “That’s what I thought. An alternative would be to create a training scheme for those seeking a betterlife, where they will learn the skills necessary to work in more lucrative trades.”
“It sounds like a worthy venture, but off the top I can’t see how that would be profitable,” West said, slumping back in his chair as he fiddled with his empty cup.
“It wouldn’t be at first,” John said bluntly. “The initial expenses of finding accommodations for those in the program, as well as paying for instructors, could be covered by government grants for improvement programs. I already have the applications for a few such funds. The profit would come later and build over time as more people matriculate.
“The training would be offered for free in exchange for students giving five percent of their earnings back to the school for the first five years after they finish the program and find good, well-paying positions. If we can secure a grant to cover costs for the first say, three years, we should begin to see income as students move on from the training and into the workforce.”
“I like this idea,” West said, thinking through how such a scheme could be arranged. “We’ve plenty of land and could adapt some old outbuildings on one of the Hampton properties to reduce expenses. I can look into finding instructors when I visit the employment agency to secure a new valet . . .”
“Very good, I’ll proceed with the grant applications.” John paused for a moment, and West noticed an actual gleam in his brother’s eyes before he continued.
“This last opportunity is the one I am most excited about. Are you familiar with the steam engine?”
“Somewhat,” West said with a shrug. “I know it’s been used to power and automate different machines. What of it?”
“It is being applied to a new kind of transport called the railway. The steam engine will power a locomotive that moves across tracks, pulling compartments behind it. Materials, as well as people, will be able to move across the country muchfaster. If the early estimates are to be believed, and I find them reliable, one could move from the southern end of the country to Scotland in just over a day.”
West’s eyes bugged at John’s statement. Drastically cutting down travel times across the country could have limitless implications.
“I agree,” John said in response to West’s unspoken astonishment. “It will be positively revolutionary when it comes to both commerce and travel. Those who invest early in this endeavor could become quite wealthy indeed.”
“So how would we invest, and when would we see profits?”
“This is definitely the longest-term investment, but I believe it will be the most lucrative in the long run,” John said. “There are two possibilities. We could either invest in one of the companies that are currently planning out rail lines between cities. It will take a few years for the lines to be completed and to see a return. Or we could sell plots of land to a company if they are looking to lay rail in an area that would pass through one of the Hampton estates. My understanding is that they are willing to pay quite handsomely to ensure the most direct routes.”
