Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-11-24
M MiSceiIanv.
Freaks of Fortune.

Fortunes are lost and gained on the Stock
Exchange with a rapidity unknown in any
other place. 1t is no uncommon thing for
a man to be worth e20, 900 one day, and to
be beggar the next There are also many
instances, in the annals of the Stock Ex-
change, Of parties who could not command
farthing one day, being worth 100000,
100000, 100000, or $500 the next
AS illustrative of the sudden and singular
vicissitudcs Of fortune which men sometimes
undergo in that place, may mention Gu
present proprietor Of one Of the most exten-
sive estates in the county of M:ddlesex. He
had been for some years member of the
Stock Exchange, when, on becoming unfor
tunate, he had to suffer the indignity Of
having his name challled on the blackboard;
an indignity to which poverty more fire.
quently than dishonorable conduct is sub
inetod The loss of handsome fartilno,
coupled with the treatment he had received
to such state Of frenzy that, CHANGING to
pass London bridge few days after the
battle of Waterloo, he, in despair, threw
the last shilling he had in the world
over the bridge into the water. For a few
moments afterwards he stood motionless on
the spot, leaning over the parapet, and gaz-
ing vacantly into the water. The emotions
which then passed through his mind were
of nature which no second party could
describe; and which, indeed, even he him.
self could not by possibility convey, with
anything like their vividness or power, to
the mind His prcdominating feelings
but no idea can be formed of their burning
intensity-wcre those of envy of the insen-
safe stones, and wish that he himself were,
like his last shilling, at the bottom Of the
river. That moment, but for the crowds Of
persons who were passing and repassing, he
would have thrown himself over the para
pet of the bridge, and ended his woes by
ending his existence. From that instant,
he formed the purpose of committing sui
eide; and he began to move slowly towards
home with that view Before he had reached
the other end Of the bridge, he was met by
a Frenchman with whom he had been on
terms of great intimacy. He would have
passed by the Frenchman, 50 absorbed was
L fba oh af
without recognizing him. The latter, how
ever, advancing towards Mr.. F., seized
him by the hand, and inquired how he was
He managed to lisp out an 30, how are
you?"
"This is most important affair to both
countries" said the Frenchman
"What affair?' inquired the other, par
tally recovering himself from the frightful
revery to which he had been giving way.
"Why, the great battle" observed mon
sieur.
''The great battle What great battle ~
''The battle of Waterloo"
"You are surely dreaming. | have not
heard word about it: the newspapers make
no mention of any battle having been lately
fought"
81 dare say they do not. How could
they? Intelligence of it has only reached
town within the last two hours. The for
eign secretary and the French ambassador
alone know anything of it. Government
have aeceived the tidings of it: it is not an
hour since parted with the French ambas-
sador from whom had the information
Napoleon is signally defeated"
Mr.. F. felt as if he had started from
a deep sleep. He felt as if he had become
a new man. The advantage to which such
important intelligence might be turned on
the Stock Exchange, the scene of so many
disasters and so much degradation to him,
Immediately shot across his mind.