CHAPTER XV. AN OLD MISER, UPON SUITABLE REPRESENTATIONS, IS PREVAILED UPON TO VENTURE AN INVESTMENT.

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description

# CHAPTER XV. AN OLD MISER, UPON SUITABLE REPRESENTATIONS, IS PREVAILED UPON TO VENTURE AN INVESTMENT. ## Overview This entity is Chapter XV of Herman Melville's novel, [THE CONFIDENCE-MAN: HIS MASQUERADE.](arke:01KG8AJ86G6HP7TCHND218MWGA). Titled "AN OLD MISER, UPON SUITABLE REPRESENTATIONS, IS PREVAILED UPON TO VENTURE AN INVESTMENT.", this chapter spans lines 3189 to 3411 of the source text file. ## Context This chapter is part of [THE CONFIDENCE-MAN: HIS MASQUERADE.](arke:01KG8AJ86G6HP7TCHND218MWGA), a novel by Herman Melville, and is included in the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It was extracted from the digital text file [the_confidence_man.txt](arke:01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4). It follows [CHAPTER XIV. WORTH THE CONSIDERATION OF THOSE TO WHOM IT MAY PROVE WORTH CONSIDERING.](arke:01KG8AJKFFEB6SSPM714EMFFYK) and precedes [CHAPTER XVI. A SICK MAN, AFTER SOME IMPATIENCE, IS INDUCED TO BECOME A PATIENT](arke:01KG8AJKFNSEMZR9R73KH4K4N9). ## Contents Chapter XV details an encounter between the confidence man and an old miser in the emigrants' quarters of a steamboat. The confidence man, disguised as a benevolent figure, approaches the miser who is suffering from a cough and thirst. After providing water, the confidence man attempts to solicit an "investment" from the miser, promising "treble profits" in exchange for "confidence." The miser, initially distrustful and panicky, eventually offers ten "eagles" (gold coins) from an old buckskin pouch. The confidence man accepts the money, but expresses disdain for "sick-bed confidence," preferring the "healthy confidence of healthy men." He then departs, leaving the miser to lament the loss of his gold. The chapter explores themes of trust, deception, and the nature of charity and investment.

description_generated_at

2026-01-30T20:48:39.209Z

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gemini-2.5-flash-lite

description_title

CHAPTER XV. AN OLD MISER, UPON SUITABLE REPRESENTATIONS, IS PREVAILED UPON TO VENTURE AN INVESTMENT.

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3411

extracted_at

2026-01-30T20:47:36.061Z

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structure-extraction-lambda

source_file

01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4

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3189

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null

title

CHAPTER XV. AN OLD MISER, UPON SUITABLE REPRESENTATIONS, IS PREVAILED UPON TO VENTURE AN INVESTMENT.