The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-19

ton, >. ", reD. 10, 1910.
A Fortune For a Wink.
A writer in Golden Days tells q at true
story" of how gentleman refused one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
winking his eye, and thereby preserved
his honor. The gentleman, who is called
Mr.. X, occupied a confidential position
in great railway corporation. 1t was
rumored that the company was about to
assume charge of a languishing railroad
If so, the stock OF the latter would rise
In price
Now, one bold speculator-or operator,
as they are called in brokers' parlance-
was an intimate friend Of Mr.. X.
After long reflection, he came to the
conclusion that the best thing he could
do was to call on Mr.. X, ask in conf
dence for some definite information on
the subject, and offer to share with Mr..
X the profits of any venture that he
might make on points given to him.
This he did
"Mr. Y" said he, eff knew that the
transaction which it is rumored is to take
place in a few days were really to occur,
L could, by buying up the stock of the
company that is now in the market, make
both you and myself rich men. Can you
not, by word, say whether the rumor
will be realized or not ?"
81 cannot say" Mr.. X replied
"BHt a word" the broker persisted
1t shall be share, and share alike"
81 cannot say" Mr.. X repeated as
before.
You need not speak, then" the
broker said, excitedly. Lift your arm,
nod your head, lift your eyebrows.
81 cannot" Mr.. X replied, as calmly
as was possible
"Do you not understand your own in
terests?" the broker burst forth, hotly.
Mr.. X, you are a poor man! Now, If
you will only heed me, you may become
rich one in day. Are these reports
true? If SO, / can clear three hundred
thousand at n stroke! The half of that
sum shall be yours. do not ask you for
word; you need not open your mouth.
Only wink your eye 1t is possible for
you to make one hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, sir, simply by winking your
eye -
How vast sum to Mr.. X, who, though
entrusted with grave secrets, was still
only a clerk, receiving but moderate
salary.
He was staggered for q moment but
soon regaining his composure, he looked
the eagerly-expectant broker in the face,
and answered:
81 cannot do it, and left the room in
stantly.
The broker went away crestfallen. In
the absence of all definite information,
he feared to take the great risks which
always attend specializing in the dark,
and did not invest any OF his money.
In few days, however the whole mat
ter was settled. The great company
really did take in the smaller, and tho
stock almost doubled in value.
A few days after that, the broker met
Mr.. X on the street, and smarting keenly
under the feeling that an enormous gain
had slipped through his fingers, just for
the want of a word, he rashly upbraided
Mr.. X for what he called his "obstinacy."
Mr. Y, like all men of true power, kept
his temper; and turning to his rash re-
viler, said:
"The temptation with which you as
sailed me was great, indeed, but / had
trust to fulfil, and my honor is beyond
that price"
Although every one should do his duty
for duty's own sake, still it is always a
pleasure to see great deeds of honor meet
with deserved reward.
1t was SO, am glad to say, in Mr..
KS case. His capabilities and his per-
feet 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 salary that is
at least half as large as that which the
President of the United States receives.