The kidnappers in "The Ransom of Red Chief" select a man whom they believe will be able to pay a high ransom. The man they select is Ebenezer Dorset. He is described as a "prominent citizen" (para. 4), a respectable man in the town, said to be "a mortgage fancier" (para. 4), which suggests that he is someone who holds many mortgages, possibly a banker. And we know that he forecloses on mortgages, too. Sam and Bill believe that he is a suitable candidate to pay the $2,000 they intend to demand as a ransom. Little do they know that Ebenezer will not only refuse to pay this ransom, but also will demand money from them to take back his son. The consequences of their kidnapping probably cure them for life of trying this again!
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