Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-07-01
The AstrOlogers Dupe.

back Office of Wall-street stock brok
er. Her gaze was fixed on a wide black
board, where chalk figures showed the
drift of stock market quotations there
was no lustre in her eye her whole as.
pect vas that of one dumbfounded, bro
ken-hearted. She had Il sad story TO tell
were there only spirit enough left to her
for recital. A year 70 she came to
this same brokerage oili:e. Her purse
was fat with bank bills and she gave an
order for the purchase of 500 shares of
n stock which had been active n long
time. The broker ADVISED her against
the purchase, and told her plainly that
he had what he believed excellent rea-
sons for expecting heavy decline in
the particular stock she had selected to
buy. But she persisted in her deter
mination, declaring that she had infor-
nation which could not be wrong that
the stock was bound to go up good
deal very soon. She had her way, de-
spite the counsels that plainly predict
ed the loss of her money. She left
So 900 in cash as 10 per cent. margin
to protect her interest and went her
way with a calm confidence shown on
her countenance. Il shall make good
deal of money she said as she left, for
the information have comes from the
very highest authoi ity.' The stock
peryersely declined forthwith, and each
day saw some traction clipped off OF the
preceding days quotation. Within a
month the original $4,000 margin had
dwindled down to 81 GOO, and the bro
ker was obliged to call for another de-
posit from his customer TO protect her
interest. She came down town with
the same self-satisfied smile, and with
the same expressions OF confidence
produced her rounded purse again.
Four thousand dollars she left in the
brokers' hands this time. The advance
| am told, has been unavoidably delay
ed n little while, she said with a tone
full of assurance and faith, 'bnt it is
bound to come soon now. and feel as
sure that my money is safe as if had it
all in band awaiting my ORDERS This
was in response to further grave pre-
dictions from the broker, who, by much
argument tried TO convince her that
she was being misled. Another short
period elapsed +; and another enforced
call was made upon the sunny faced
old lady. Just bare suspicion of dis :
quiet was beginning to show itself, but
there was no backdown in her action.
Out came more money. And so lit
tie latter did more still follow. Then
not long ago she came yet again; now
she brought her bank book. She show
ed to the broker that year ago 1t cred
tied her with deposits of $4,000, of
which bat 81, 500 remained and that
S2,500-eyery penny of it, every penny
she possessed in the world-she handed
oyer. She was not yet utterly down
cast. But yesterday she averred, Il
had my information repeated again and
the rise which I've waited for so long
is to come now right away Down
went the market, lower and lower
dropped the price of the expectant wo-
mans 500 shares of stock, till that day
a little while ago when for the last she
came into Wall-street again, dropped
into an armchair before The quotation
board and gazed long and llstlessly, as
one in deep dream, confronting the
white figures that glared out at her
there like the eyes of SO many demons.
All of her 200 was gone; she had
only poverty left. But she was brave
still, and when her broker approached
her she rose with the grace of woman
young and queenly and thanked him
for all his courtesies and the good ad-
vice he had wasted on her.
Now, Madam, will you do me the
great favor of telling me from what
source you received the false informa-
tion on which you relied so implicitly
and risked so much money p This was
the brokers' question.
Upon an astrologer.' This was her
amazing answer. and she named man
whose card is fiaunted publicly in the
metropolis. There was stupefied bro
ker, a broker who got mad. He didn't
say Fool = but he looked it. The old
lady then talked freely. 1t was no new
thing, she said. for her to seek the ad-
vice of this 'astrologer,' her husband
had done the same before and score of
her friends, she said, had implicit con-
idence in the revelations Of the seer.
'I'll give you 81 ,OO0,' said the broke
hotly, If you'l II promise me one thing
The old lady's tightening countenance
showed that he need haYe no doubt of
the promise. Never come into Wall
street again aud have no more to do
with this blanked scoundrel whose lies
have cost you so dearly
The promise was gladly exchanged
for the money, and the old lady went
her way. But this was not the only Sc
quel to this speculation. Three or four
days ago dapper little fellow with a
face weakened around pair of twink
ling adder eyes thrust himself into this