Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-10-27
Tempted by Gain.

Tempted by Gain.
Edgar Fontenay sat in the office, ysry bus
ny engaged over the big books of the bank. Thu
deposits had been unusually large--the day be
ing Saterday-and other business had been NJ
proportion; during the afternoon there had beer
casual overlooking Of the books by the directors
but much work had been done since then, and
this woik must be squared up before he could
leave.
Young, handsome, and ambitious was Edgar
Fonlehay, and II he had not stood most excel
lent well In the community, both morally and
socially. he could never have obtained that DO.
sition in the bank.
1t was an autumnal evening" aud Edgar had
Deen LEFT alone at his work. Tho president or
the bank went out just aftor the gas had been
lighted, and iemarking that hc would be In
again.
Edgar was left alone with his work, For
time his pen moved rapidly. Many lines were
written, and host Of figures were made. BY
and by he leaned back as though to rest. He
rested awhile and reflected.
lie took from Ia, pocket q paper ard read an
reread an article which interested him. Prom
his desk he took another paper, and read anotll-
or article. The subject-matter was the same
IN all that he read-lieports of wondrous rise
In stocks aud OF immense fortunes ,suddenly
made.
And then Edgar Fontenoy leaned his head
upon his hand, and looked in n different dircc
He thought of Julia Aunesley, who had
promised to be his wife, and of the home he
would like to give her.
Then lie thought of his widowed mother,
looking to him for support, what pleasure and
JOY it would be to provide fitting cage for
his beautiful mate. What a satisfaction TO be-
stow comforts such as only men of wealth can
give to their loved ones.
lie looked at the papers again. These men
had made sixty thousand dollars by one opera
tion. He had had 1t in mind that he could
make golden speculation. On that very day
it lad been whispered to him by street opera
tor that the stock OF Q Ash Valley Railroad
was destined to sudden and unexpected rise
Old Moneybags was coming In with his help,
and the Legislature was sure to pass the bill
granting State aid, iu the shape of land
Only few Of the favored ones knew this
strike, to be effective, must be very quickly
made.
With a nervous twitching of the hands the
young man turned back the leaves of his ledg-
or, and overlooked the work of the week. He
saw he could retain five thousand dollars for
the space OF thirty days. He could do it, and
no one would be wiser. lie would not steal 1t
--he would mot embezzle it--he ,.ould only
borrow 1t; and he would pay good interest for
! Its use.
Then he took piece of paper and a pencil
and begun to figure. Ash Valley stock was
now selling for $40. It would be up 10 sou
before the week was out. There could be no
mistake.
Tho favorable action OF the La gis at,lre, To
! say nothing of old Moneybags ASST tan % would
send it up like FASH If he had the money
he could get that stock, at twenty days, for 4
| cash payment of five dollars per share, With
five thousand dollars in hand he could purchase
| ono thousand shares OF stock for twenty days;
| aud before half those twenty days should have
expired his stock would be worth abe Il. twenty
| thousand dollars!
There could be 10 doubt-no the least IN
the world. The friendly broker had enliglit
| ened him. He was inside the ring! Aud "a very
| few pen marks upon the pages of his book
wouldgive him the Use Of five thousand dollari
| for month.
ue bowed his head upon his hands, and sirug
| gled With the tempter. Alas, the temptIr wa
powerfully armed. The sum of twenty thous.
and dollars, to be made at ono stroke wa, H.
/ resistabe.
| The scene changes. 1t is no longer in the
BANK, but In little room, that needs to be
lighted with gas at midday, where the broker
sits at his board OF Fate.
Monday morning has arrived, and Edga
Fontenay enters the dark Office for cast of thu
and asks the bio ioker:
"How about Ash Valley"
The broker rubs his hands, and mods with
mysterious smile.
"Don't say 4 word, F0ntenay. If you re
member what told you Saturday, keep mum
There Amt many that know anything abou
1t. ltsgons to be the startling event of th
week. Erie and Pacific Mail are going to th
wall. Ash Valley is the thing"
uSupnoae Wauted littia nf tl,ia stocl 4
hold fortwenty or thirty days, what should
have to pay downf"
~ couldn't get 1t for thirty days; but
can get 1t for twenty days, for about five dol
2 lars"
"Can you get me one thousand shares"
= The broker started.
"You're going In strong"
~ am gcing for bold stroke"
II "IglOry In your pluck All, them's the kin
}, that wins! Yes, Mr.. Fontenay, ! eau get
4 easy. Plenty of men hold this stock who haven
!, the most remote idea that il can advance be
. fore the Eastern connection is made next sun
70 mer. Shall get you thousand shares?"
"My name will not be mentioned?'
= "Bless you, no."
. And the five thousand dollars were placed |
:, the brokers' hands.
= For time after reaching the bank, Edgs
was not like himself lie could not shake Of
D. at once, the load that OPP ressed him.
lie could not lnmedlatey get his face OF
from beneath the cloud that hOvered over hin
For the first time in his life he had done a dl
honorable act. lie was deceiving those wi
c had trusted him. He had taken the first ste
ID toward betrayng those who had given the
Y entire and hearty confidence. But did II
" others do the same? Was he not know ing
= the facts tina. some of tho first men
IN the country speculated with funds not strict
= their ownf And further, he was sure of comiI
out right.