Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-24
THE RICHMOND DtSPATCH-SUNDAY, JUNE "a, 1888

as much secrecy A. possible but either
through the treachery OF servant, or
in some way unknown to me. the result
OF my examination leaked out, and be-
fore could obtain possession OF the land
1t Was bousht by an English capitalist,
who. in turn, disposed OF itst an enormous
profit 10 . joint-stock company, which
was formed to work the minea The
promoters Of this company are at the
present time endesyoring TO place their
shares in the London market. But Pro-
whence does not seem yet 10 have alto
gether deserted the fortunes of my
house because the English public, ow-
| ing TO the distance OF the mines, and the
meagre nature OF the information re-
gsrding them, are shy OF buying the
shares, which have in consequence fallen
to a very low price. l have resolved to
avail myself of the opportunity, and 70
secure at least portion of the wealth
which rightfully ought to have been
mine.
Apart from other considerations the
pathos in the old mans voice and the ma
iure Of his narrative had completely en-
listed Mr.. Brookes sympathy /; so in an
swer to the question, "Will you aid mo
by investing my money for me 2" he
gave ready assent On hearing this re-
ply the Duke went to q small safe which
stood in a corner of the room, where. as
it was inclosed in case of mahogany
and was covered by piece of fancy
work, its true nature could not be dis
eerned by casual observer. Unlocking
this, the Duke took out roll of Bank
of-EnsIand notes, which, to Mr.. Brooke $
surprise, he placed in his hands, bidding
him eountthem. MIR. Brooke found that
there were hundred OF them, and that
each was OF the value OF one hundred
pounds.
Quite correct" replied the Duke
when Mr.. Brooke made this statement
" You hold in your hands all the money
/ possess, and in order to procure ii |
have disposed of ell my ssleabla pro-
perty. But il fortune iavors me shall
still be rich man. for the money you
hold in your hands may be increase |
ten-sye, fifty fold. II you will but
consent to render me slight favor my
prosperity is assured beyond the posi-
bility Of doubt.
"You can certainly reckon on my as
sistance."
"You will thus place me under the
deepeat obligations But do not fear
that am about to put any severe test
upon your friendship or generosity, as
the only favor L shall ask OF you
is. after all, a small one but the results
will be great, and it is by these that L
shall measure your kindness. Retain
the money, please do not wish you
TO return 1t. The service l wish you to
perform for me is to take that money
into the city and give your broker the
order 10 buy ten thousand Phrygian
! gold-mine shares. They are 95 shares,
but, as the public are keeping aloof, they
have fallen to 81; at which price, l
see from the newspapers, they are
at present quoted In the market.
Ny reason for asking you to buy
them for me is that il | were to
get an introduction TO any broker myself
my motive would be guessed, and if it
was known that was willing to back my
opinion Of the mine by purchasing shares
the price would certainly be raised
against ne, perhaps to an extent which
would render nay benefit small Many
are aware that | recently purposed to
work the mines on my own account. II
l were merely DESTROYS Of specializing l
would not seek your assistance, and do
not doubt that it is against your prlnci-
piles to have anything to do with trans
actions of that nature"
"You are right
"But trust that you understand that
my purchase is In no sense Of the word
speculative, but simply an attempt to
recover what is rightlully my own"
THAT is the light in which l look
upon the transaction"
"TheH, may count on yonr assistance
in making my purchase ?" Ger
taiply."
II am deeply grateful, and hope here
after to prove my sense Of the obliga-
ton you confer. / wish to lose no time.
viii you, therefore, take Gt once the
money which have handed you to your
broker, and ask him to buy the shares [
have spoken of 2" Now ?" Without
delay, please" And on saying this the
Duke rose as if to indicate that he was
impatient for Mr.. Broeke's departure.
Mr.. Brooke also stood up in considera-
bic surprise.
els it possible, he said. "that you
intend to trust me, of whom you know
nothing, with such q large sum Of
money-in fact, as you have told me,
with all the money you possess }"
There is nothing" replied the Duke
in q quick manner, with which would
not trust you; my faith in you is bound
less" Medes had also risen, and with
smile, extended her hand.
"You need not bid Ar. Brooke good
bye" said her father; che will soon re-
turn, when be has executed ny commits
sion." Mr.. Brooke put the bank-notes
in an inner bresst-pocket, and buitoned
up his coat. Mr.. Brooke was 60 astound-
ed that when the Duke Esid, "Of course
you will not mention my name. but let
it appear as though you were buying the
shares for yourself, he could only utter
a few awkward and scarcely Ineligible
words of compliance.