The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-13
How They Were Bitten.

Daniel Drew has the reputation OF
loving money for moneys sake little
better than almost any operator in Wall
street. He is said by punsters to be
suffering from a moneymania. If he
has contributed largely to Methodism,
he has made Methodism contribute
largely to him in divers ways. The
sanctarian cloak he has worn has cover
ed not a few of his financial schemes,
until he was ready to throw it off, and
turn those schemes to the best account.
A story, illustrative of Drew's tactics,
is thus told: Being large holder OF
Erie, he was trying to bull the stock, in
order to unload. OF course, the more
active demand there may be for stock
the greater its advance, and Uncle DAN
iel was making every effort in every di-
rection to induce persons to buy. Meet
ing, one morning, in Broadway the cler-
gyman of the church he attends, he said
to him:
"My pious brother, ] hev high es-
TEEN for you, and I'd kind O. like to
put real good thing in yer way. These
ere Erie sheers is goin' up; and if you
keer to buy some, rayther think you'd
better go in. That's my opinion, tho
dunno 'xactly. Howsomever, if you
buy, and the sheers don't come out oil
right, I'll fx it up with you. You bet
better go in for all you can git; but min
don't say nothin' to tn other brethren
bout it, cause want you to reap the
bin FIT man O. God doesarves."
The dominic, who was not at all
averse to making little money in an
entirely secular manner, mentioned the
matter, in spite of Drew's injunction, to
some of his wealthy parishioners, in Or
der that he might induce them to lend
him few thousands of dollars Know
ing that Drew was an excellent authori-
ty upon the stock market, especially.up-
on Erie, they were delighted to get the
point, and gladly let their pastor have
what money he wanted. They also went
In heavily themselves, but not before they
had communicated the point to their
wealthy friends. The shares advanced
six per cent, very large amount hav-
ing been taken by the members of the
congregation, which was very wealthy,
and by their associates.
Those who had bought held for a
further advance; but the market sudden
ly fell, and the stock was left on their
hands, Drew, as may be inferred, unload
ing at the highest figure.
The clergyman, naturally in deep dis
tress of mind, called upon Drew to re-
mind him of his promise. The cum
ming old fox, remarking that though he
had lost a good deal himself he would
keep his word, gave the pulpiteer a
check for the difference between what
he had paid and the then ruling rate.
The expounder of the Gospel, on re-
ceiving the check, took occasion to OBJ
serve: "WeIl, Mr.. Drew, there are a
number of our brethren to whom ]
thought ought to mention the proba-
BILE rise in Erie, and all of them, to bor-
row your worldly phrase, went in
largely; and l am very much afraid that
they have considerable of the stock or
their hands. Inasmuch as they are oul
brothers in Christ, have thought that
you might be willing to do for them
what you have done for your beloved
pastor"
"I'm very sorry" replied the .rch
hypocrite. No doubt the good Lord
III make good them losses, but 1 can't
you see, cause I've lost myself. Then
my dear brother, you remember what
tol' you bout keeping the thing shady
Pm glad to pay up yer difference, but
t'other brethren must look out for them
selves"
1t cost Drew less than $4O0 to REIN.
burse the preacher, while he made, by
the information the preacher had i'm
parted, not less than $4,000. Wall
street men say that Uncle Daniel is per
petually up to this kind of trick.