Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-06-15

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A writer in Golden Days tells a
sitrue story" OF how a gentleman re-
fused one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars for winking bis eye, and there
by preserved his honor. The gentle
man, who is called Mr.. X, occupied a
confidential position in great rail
way corporation. 1t was rumored
that the company was about to as
sumo charge of langulshing railroad.
II so. the stock Of latter would rise in
price
Now, one bold speculstor-or opera
tor, as they are called in brokers' par
lance-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 ID
Conscience for some definite informa-
tion 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 hc did. EN-
aMr. X" said he, 'if 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 my
self rich men. Can you not, by word
say whether the rumor will be realized
or not?'
al cannot say" Mr.. X replied.
"But word, a" the broker persisted,
ait shall be share, and share alike
II cannot say" Mr.. x repeated as
before
"You need not speak, then, the
broker said, excitedly "Lift your
arm, nod your head, lift your eye
brows."
"I cannot" Mr.. x replied, as calmly
as was possible.
"Do you understand your interests?'
the broker burst forth hotly. "Mr.
X, you are poor man! Now, if you
will only heed me, you may become a
rich one in a day Are these reports
true? If so, | can clear three hundred
thousand dollars at q stroke! The half
of that sum shall be yours. | do not
ask you for a word; you need not open
| your mouth. Only wink your eye!
It is possible for you to make one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
sir, simply by winking your eyel''
How vast sum to Mr.. x. who,
though entrusted with grave secrets,
was still only 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.
The broker went away crestfallen.
In the absence of all definite informa-
tion, he feared to take the great risks
which always attend speculating in
the dark, and did not invest any of
his money.
In few days, however, the whole
matter was settled, The great compa-
ny really did take in the smaller, and
the 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 enor-
nous gain had slipped through his
fingers, just for the want of word,
he rashly upbraided Mr.. x for what
he called his ''obstlnacy."
Mr. x, like all men Of true power,
kept his temper; and turning to his
rash reviler, said:
"The temptation with which you as
sailed me was great, indeed, but ! had
trust to fulfill, and my honor is be-
yond that price" Gf
Although every one should do his
duty for duty's own sake, still it is al
ways q 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
company whose secrets he had guarded
so well, and hei now paid salary
that is at least half as large as that
which the President Of the United
States receives. i3t s4a /, {.it
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