The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1888-10-04

auction. But Sponsor. the lucky agent, kept
his counsel. Daily he attended the sales at
the board, with apparently exhaustless re-
sources, bearing pitilessly, triumphantly,
until the unlucky bulls came to think the
sight of his face was an i'll omen.
OF all men, Norcross felt his steady, deter
mined pressure most keenly. To sustain the
credit of those in whose affairs he was con-
cerned, he was obliged from time to time to
put under the hammer stocks which had been
placed in his hands. Every sale showed the
value Of these securities to be sinking. until it
really seemed that they would come to be
as worthless as the old Confederate currency.
But neither he nor other sufferers had any
remedy; stocks were worth only what they
would bring; prices must take care of them.
selves; and the calm, determined bids OF
Sponsor were like the voice of Fate.
In his extremity, Norcross thought Of
Jameson, and remembering his own per-
sonal responsibility for the sum he had re-
ceived, he determined to "hedge.n So he
sent for Jameson, he showed him the notes,
all amply secured, if any mans name could
be said to give security.
"You see" said Norcross, chow careful
have been. Two good names on every note.
They may fail, it is true So stocks may go
for song, and universal bankruptcy follow.
See, there is a note signed by Flint, Steel &
CO., and Endorsed by Lameduck another by
Kitefyer & Co., Endorsed by Burntwick-
and this by Griesmann & Star, Endorsed by
Trillion. Every dollar will yield at least the
eight Der cent nrOmisnd
"The names are good, / should think as
long as everybody is good. said Jameson.
"Still shall feel safer with mortgage, or
even with stocks; for if these go down, they
will come up again."
"Stocks!" said Norcross, with an air of
contempt. "There isn't bank that is worth
that, swapping his fingers. sThey keep on
their legs only by sufferance; if put to the
test, they could not redeem their notes day.
The factories are worse yet-rotten, hollow.
Railroads-eaten up with ponds and mort
cages"
@Well, perhaps you have done wisely. Time
will show"
II sent for you,n said Norcross, abecause
knew you must be anxious. I gave you
part of the interest, you know. You'll take
these notes? You approve of my judg-
ment?"
II must, suppose. Yes,-you can make
the transfers to me, if you like. They may
as well remain with you, however"
Norcross drew long breath with sense
of relief. If he were to be hard pushed, these
notes would serve for collateral securities.
Jameson left the office; not quite SO cheer
full as when he came. He remembered his
mothers regrets at the disposition of the
money,-their all. His own health had Sessa
failing. His relative, whom he went to see,
was dead; and now that his cousin had ac-
cepted his invitation to come and live with
him, he felt an increased solicitude about the
future.
Norcross' main anxiety now was to pro-
vide for Griesmann's note, which he felt as
sured the promiser could not meet. He
dared not let the loss fall upon the Summit
until every expedient had been tried: for
such an affair would lead at once to an un-
welcome investigation Of the Company's &C
counts He determined first to see Trillion,
to whom the note was due. He found that
gentleman cool, tranquil, and not at all
frightened, as he supposed he would be, at
the idea of protest. The truth was Trillion
had already made so much in his operations.
that he could easily diff" the note; but as
long as his capital was yielding such golden
returns, he was not disposed 20 use it in that
way until obliged to do So. Besides, ne be-
lieved, from Norcross' anxiety. that he
would himself make an effort to raise the
money elsewhere. He was quite easy, there
FORE
"Griesmann must look out for his own
paper; If he don't, he must go down. If I
have to pay it, I shall any way get dividend
out OF him, and, what is better, get few
days time. Time is money, these days.
There was no course for Norcross, then, but
to sell or hypothecate the shares of stock he
held Then the thought of the still falling
prices frightened him. The stocks he had to
sell were already quoted far below their
usual price, and he, in common with all the
street, had heard Of the secret irresistible in
luence that was bearing down upon the daily
sales. If Sponsor should come into market
against him, the consequences might be ruin
GUS. 1t was out of the question for him to
stand up against any further serious depreci-
alton.
To Sponsor he went, in the hope of per-
suading or buying him off from his destruc-
tive course. As he.entered the brokers' door he
saw Trainor hand over package of bills,
and just caught the words, "Forty- five thous-
and" What was Trainer doing? He re-
membered that he had not met his old agent
for some days, and he knew we'll that such a
scheming brain would not be idle. in a time
like this. A light flashed upon him. Was