The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-20
AN EPISODE
Although Mr.. Charles Clarence West

Although Mr.. Charles Clarence West
bury was an Engiishman Of the most pro
nounced type. he was not possessed Of
that hypercritical spirit with which Sc
many Of his travelling countrymen regard
the institutions Of these United states
and the manners. customs and appearance
of the inhabitants thereof On tie con
trarv Mr. Westbury. during the pro
eractcd. and. rs it is proved. interesting
etav which he made in the city OF Ne"
York exhibited habitual condescensiol
and affability toward Americans partlcu
larly those who were IN any way con,
uecied with the line of business followed
in Wall street. while his reiterated eX'
prcssiOns of admiration for all Things
American aided hin materially in gaining
that extensive acquaintance which IL
seems was his chief object.
Mr.. Wcstbury was a young man OF
most gentlemanly exterior and manners.
lie had 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 oil
the ocean per CCDa.d steamer, and went
TO an uptown hotel like any other wealthy
tourist doing the states. Apparently,
however. Mr.. Westbury was not possessed
by the mad hurry which marks almost all
his visiting counirymen. He quietly took
up his residence in our midst and pro-
ceeded TO become acquainted with Amer
lea and the Americans.
Courteous and afIable, yet not without
proper dignity, he was not long in max.
ing acquaintance. and. indeed exhibited
remarkable discrimination in doing 50.
lie talked Of himself without reserve,
stating that lie 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 a 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-
erablo sum in Bank Of England notes In
few DAYS he took occasion to visit the
Office Of Wall street money broker, and
converted these into American currency,
while il was not long before Mr.. West
bury's funds We're deposited with prom
incnt bank. TO which IN some way he had
secured an introduction, and TO which a
balance of over si0. coo secured perfect
guarantee OF responsibility.
"a Il A.. ~; !,
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, ana proceeding TO familiarizo
himself with the manners and methods of
the street. making daily visits TO sew
eral brokers Offices, where he very quickly
grow 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 Il couple Of hun
dred shares Of stock through one Of his
broker friends 1t seemed that his judg-
Dent 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
ncrs in the street. he did not 90 in fur
thcr at the moment, but closed ont his
account by taking check for both his
profit and tho original margin.
Il only wanted to know how it went,
don't you know" was his explanation,
and this seemed perfectly satisfactory TO
tie brokerage house IN question. with the
members Of which the engaging young
Englishman was on q he most friendly and
socisble terms
At the same time M Wcstbury 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
porturity for an almost certain profit 10
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 hc
gave were always daily honored at the
bank at which ho had deposited his
funds. Specializing as he did. in q desul-
tory sort of way. closing his account fire.
qucntly and transferring his operations
from ono Office TO another, he succeeded
in extending his acquaintance throughout
the street and making as he did SO u
favorable impression. IN short, after Il
year of this. he was welcome guest and
occasional customer in twenty different
offices, while the social qualities above
referred to doubled his popularity.
lie was by this time a.member of cou-
pie Of fashionable clubs. and made quite
figure in society. where the wives and
daughters Of Wall street regarded him
with as much or even more favor than the
masculine contingent.
IL, therefore. occasioned no surprise
when Mr.. WeStbuy walked one morning
into the Office of ono Of his Wall street
friends. and after looking at the ticker
and talking little about the market.
came 20 the point with the remark:
"Ob, | 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
noony III bring you a certified check, for
know how particular ya1 fellows are.
What will they costY'
The order was accepted forthwith, and
executed, and Mr.. Westbury, having re.
ceived memorandum of the amount lie
was to pay for them. took his departure.