The Financier A Novel by Theodore Dreiser
At a young age, Frank Cowperwood becomes interested in only one thing--making money. When he is still in his teens, he makes his first successful business transaction: Passing by an auction sale, he successfully bids for a lot of Castile soap, which he sells to a grocer at a profit of 100 percent. His family marvels at Frank's ability, and his wealthy uncle, Seneca Davis, encourages him to go into business as soon as possible. Through several well-paying positions and shrewd speculation, Frank acquires enough money to open his own brokerage house. Within a short time, he is one of the most enterprising and successful young financiers in Philadelphia.