Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-14
AN "EPISODE.'

bury was an Englishman of the most pro-
nounced type, he was not possessed OF
that hypercritical spirit with which SO
many of his travelling countrymen regard
the institutions of these United States,
and the manners, customs and appearance
of the inhabitants thereof. On the con-
trary, Mr.. Westbury, during the pro-
tracted, and, as it is proved, interesting
stay which he made in the city of New
York, exhibited habitual condescension
and affability toward Americans, particu-
larry those who were in any way con-
nected with the line of business followed
in Wall street, while his reiterated ex.
American aided him materially in gaining
that extensive acquaintance which it
seems was his chief object.
Mr.. Westbury was a young man of
most gentlemanly exterior and manners.
He had a blonde mustache, rudy COM
plexion and pair Of blue eyes whose prin-
cipal quality might be termed their ''hon-
esty."
He made his appearance on this side Of
the ocean per Cunard steamer, and went
to an uptown hotel, like any other wealthy
tourist doing the states" Apparently,
however, Mr.. Westbury was not possessed
Wy the mad hurry which marks almost all
ais visiting countrymen. He quietly took
up his residence in our midst and pro-
ceeded to become acquainted with Amer
lea and the Americans.
Courteous and affable, yet not without
proper dignity, he was not long in max
ing acquaintance, and, indeed, exhibited
remarkable discrimination in doing SO.
He talked of himself without reserve,
stating that he was the son of wealthy
manufacturer in the north of England,
that he had inherited considerable prop
erty, but that he was SO much charmed
with the United States that he had almost
resolved upon investing his money here
and remaining here permanently. 1t Is
needless to remark that Mr.. Westbury
met all his bills promptly, and during the
whole of his American adventures was
never known to solicit loan Of any kind.
In fact, on his arrival here, instead Of
the customary draft or letter of credit, he
seems to have been possessed of consid-
cradle sum In Bank of England notes. In
a few days he took occasion to visit the
Office of Wall street money broker, and
converted these into American currency,
while it was not long before Mr.. West
bury$s funds were deposited with prom
inent bank. to which in some way he had
secured an introduction, and to which a
balance of over SIC, 900 secured perfect
guarantee of responsibility.
OF all the American institutions with
which Mr.. Westbury was brought into
contact, Wall street secured the largest
share of his admiration. He was not long
in gaining the acquaintance of a number
of brokers, and proceeding to familiarize
himself with the manners and methods Of
the 'street," making daily visits to sew
eral brokers Offices, where he very quickly
grew into high favor.
So rapid, indeed, were his studies in
this direction that before long he was
prepared to venture upon the troubled
waters of speculation. This he did by
drawing his check for $4,000, as margin
against the purchase of couple of hun
dred shares of stock through one of his
broker friends. 1t seemed that his judg-
menf was sound, and the stock advanced
two or three points. He at once realized
his profit by selling his stock. Contrary,
however, to the usual custom of begin
ners in the "street," he did not 60 in fur
Their at the moment, but closed out his
account by taking a check for both his
profit and the original margin.
Il only wanted to know how it went,
don't you know" was his explanation.
and this seemed perfectly satisfactory to
the brokerage house in question, with the
members of which the engaging young
Englisbman was on the most friendly and
sociable terms.
At the same timo Mr. Westbury was
pursuing the same tactics with others.
Slowly and cautiously he watched the
market, and whether by luck or skill.
seized the moment when there was OPP
portunity for an almost certain profit to
open an account with one brokerage firm
Or another. His profits were generally
small, but on the other hand he made
very few losses, and the checks which he
gave were always duly honored ut the
funds. Specializing as he did, in desul-
tory sort of way, closing his account fire.
quently and transferring his operations
from one office to another, he succeeded
In extending his acquaintance throughout
the street and making as he did SO a
favorable impression. In short, after
year of this, he was q welcome guest and
occasional customer in twenty different
Offices, while the social qualities above
referred to doubled his popularity.
pie of fashionable clubs, and made quite
q figure in society, where the wives and
daughters Of Wall street regarded him
with as much or even more favor than the
masculine contingent.
II, therefore, occasioned no surprise
when Mr.. Westbury walked one morning
into tho office of one oS his Wall street
friends, and after looking at the ticker
and talking little about the market,
came TO the point with the remark:
''Oh, say. Jones, have an order for
you have two thousand pounds-that
IS, ten thousand dollars Of your money
to invest. ] had it sent to me here, and /
wish you would buy me ten Chicago and
st. Anthony first mortgage bonds. Can
you have them for me tomorrow about
noon? III bring you certified check. for
know how particular you fellows are.
What will they COST"
The order was accepted forthwith, and
executed, and Mr.. Westbury, having re-
ceived q memorandum of the amount he
was to pay for them, took his departure.
He only went. however, far enough to
drop into the Office Of o neighboring firm,
where his business assumed the form Of
an order to sell ten thousand of the same
St. Anthony bonds.
II bought them, you know. because I
fancied them as an investment, but con-
Guided not to keep them. By the way"
e continued. Il want to buy draft with
the money. and wish you would get mo
notes for the amount. I'll bring the bonds
in tomorrow at noon, and shall be in s
hurry"
This order, too, was accepted and exc
ruted without question. and Mr.. West