The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-07-28
A Fortune for O Wink.

A writer in GOLden lays tells q true
story" of how a gentleman refused
$3.50, 900 for winking his eye, and
thereby preserved his honor. The gen.
tleman, who is called Mr. X, occu-
pied q confidential position in a great
railway corporation. 1t was rumorsd
that the company was about to assume
charge of q languishing railroad. If SO,
the stock of the latter would rise IN
price.
Now, one bold speculator-or opera
tor, as they are called in brokers' par
lance-was an intimate friend Of MI.
Y.
After long reflection, he came to the
conclusion that the best thing he could
do was to call on Mr.. X, ask in n
| Hdence for some definite information on
the subject, and offer to share with MIR.
x the profits of any venture that ne
might make on "points "given by him.
This he did.
"Mr. x" said he" if knew that
the transaction which it is rumored is
to take place in a few days were really
to occur, 1 could, by buying up the
stock of the company that is now IN inc
market, make both you and myself rich
men. Can you not, by a w0ra, say
whether the rumor will be realized or
not?"
81 cannot say" Mr.. X-r replied.
"But a word" the broker persisted.
" It shall be share and share alike"
cannot say" Mr.. X repeated,
rs before.
You need not speak, then" the
broker said, excitedly. "Litt your
arm, nod your head, lift your eye
brows."
~ cannot" Mr.. X replied, as
calmly as was possible.
do you not understand your own
interestsp" the broker burst forth, holly.
MIR. X, you are a poor man! Now,
if you will only heed me, you may be-
come rich one in a day. Are these re-
ports truep IF SO, l a clear three
hundred thousand at a stroke? The
half of that sum shall be yours. l do
not ask O for a word; you need not
open your mouth. Only wink your eye!
It is possible for you to make one hun.
dred and fifty thousand dollars, sir,
simply by winking your eyeP"
How vast a sum to Mr.. X, who,
though intrusted with grave secrets,
was still only q clerk, receiving but a
moderate salary!
He was staggered for a moment, but
soon regaining his composure, he looked
the eagerly-expectant broker in the face,
and answered:
II cannot do it," and left the room
instantly.
Tie broker went away crestfallen. In
the absence of all definite information
he feared to take the great risks which
always attends specializing in the dark,
and did not invest any of his money.
Ia a few days, however, the whole
matter was settled. The great company
really did take in the smaller, and the
stock almost doubled in value.
A few days after that the broker met
Mr.. " on the street, and smarting
keenly under the feeling that an tnor-
nous gain had slipped through his
fingers, just for the want of q word, he
rashly u%pbraided Mr.. X-for what he
called his "obslinacy."
Mr.. X, like al men of true power,
kept his temper, and turning to his rash
1eviler, he said:
THE temptation with which you as
sailed me was great, indeed, but | had a
trust to fulfill, and my honor is beyond
price"
Although every one should do his
duty for duty's own sake, still it is al
ways Il pleasure to see great deeds OF
honor meet with deserved reward.
1t WAS so, | I'm glad to say, in Mr..
KS case. His capabilities and his
perfect reliability soon secured him one
of the very highest positions in the com
pany whose secrets he had guarded so
we'll. and he is now paid q salary that is
at least half as large as that which the
President Of the United States receives.