Smyrna times., 1884-01-02
SECRET SOCIETIES.
An American Family.

lnOSc VINO are Iaulllar WIFI STOCK |
gambling say, that though it is the
most dangerous play in the world, tis,
so fascinating as to be almost irresisti-
BILE. Its end, however, is, nine times
out of ten, the ruin of the gambler
Here is a conversation with man who
has seen many ups and downs in Wall
street. 1t is instructive, inasmuch as
it exhibits the danger of stock gambling
and that extravaganza of American
families which often tempts the head
to play at the fatal game. The CORES.
pondent writes:
Among the thousands of outsiders
who dabbled in Wall street ten years
ago was one Richards. He operated
through the house in which l was en-
ployed as book-keeper, and as he soon
became a daily visitor, 1 got to know
him well.
At first his luck in the street was
pretty good, and one day when he had
made thousand or so in an hour, he
asked nae to dine with him that evening
in Delmonico's.
Most of our talk was about the
street, and 1 ventured to suggest that
as he had done pretty well, he should
begin to think about getting out.
"Well," he said, 81 have thought
about it, but don't see my way just
yet. l must have $4,000 year for
my family, and how else can get it?"
asked him if his family was large,
and he said that it consisted of his wife,
two daughters and son.
And you need $4,000 a year to live
on isn't that pretty high?
WELL" he said, "high or low, I
can't get ON with less. The girls are
always asking for money. In Summer
they must 60 to the watering places
with their mother, and in Winter there
is ball or party every week. 1t costs
a great deal of money, and the money
must be had in some way"
May 1 ask how much money you
have as capital-that is, money you
can really call your own?
" Well, altogether, suppose could
rake up $4,000. Now, what 1 want t.
know is how l could use that so as tt
make $4,000 year"
81 don't really fancy this Wall stree
business, but what am to do? 1 mus
have $4,000 a year, and, though 1 hav
looked around a good deal, l canno
find any other business that will pro
duce it,
"Why not reduce your expenses
You say you can't do with less thai
$4,000 a year? think you are mis-
taken. Many families live on les
than $1,000, and some on $1,000. Doe
your family know just how niue
money you have?"
Il have tried over and over to max
them understand, but it is no use
When they want anything there is n
peace till they get it, and when 1 say
cannot afford it they tell me they kno,
have plenty of money"
81 really can't make them unde
stand that my means are limited, an
the amount of the matter is that mu
have $4,000 year"
l lost sight of Richards soon after
going to another house where l had
better offer, but heard from time I
time that his luck was not so good.
1t must have been five years before
met him again. He looked like anotht
man. His face was careworn, and b
clothes barely escaped shabbines
After few words l asked him if
was still in the street.
NO." he said, that's all over"
well, l hope you came out all right
GAN right? Yes, if you call comil
out without dollar all right"
l was sorry, of course, to hear of
i'll luck, and asked him if he had go
into any business.
NO." he said, sit was not easy fol
man who had nothing to go into bu
a.ss;" but his friends were trying
~ something for him, and there W
some hope that they would succeC
They were trying to get him a place
the Custom House.
| asked him what the salary w
and he said he understood it "
$1,000, with a chance of something b
ter after a while.
1t would have been cruel to remi
him of what he had said five years g
about not being able to live on
than $4,000.
While we were lunching together
gave me to understand that he was
ing with his wife and daughters il
small house on the outskirts of Bro,
Ign, and that the son had obtaine
clerkship at $15 week, which was
chief support of the family.