Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-12-26
BUSINESS AND DRINK.
A Fortune Lost by Just One 0lass
81 Sherry,

81 Sherry.
A wealthy young broker, who Is
popular about town, CHANGED TO enter
cafe just of Wall street the middle
OF one afternoon last week, says the
New York Sun. He found number
OF men seated around table enjoying
themselves. and his entrance was
greeted with vociferous EXPLANATIONS OF
delight. A chair was pulled up to the
table and he was invited to join the
party. He shook his head.
II am very sorry, gentleman" he
said, "but it is an inhexible rule with
mo never to drink during business
hours. had partner once who was
ruined through drinking one glass OF
sherry, and that taught me lesson"
The story was one OF the traditions
OF Wall street though 1t occurred not
SO many years ago. The victim was a
well-knowu broker with seat In the
exchange and good reputation among
his fcllow-brokers He, up to this
particular day carefully avoided In
dulging Id even one drink Until after
the exchange doors were closed. He
was interested in a large transaction
in stocks. the result OF which did not
appear to be likely to be reached for
several days at least. He went out
with friend to get some lunch and
drank Que glass OF sherry. He return
cd to his Office, and finding everything
quiet there went out again. He had
intended to go directly to the exchange
noor; but She taste of that glass OF
Sherry still lingering in his mouth he
Thought he would drop id and have
another. His friend, being q very
interesting talker, and having no
business on hand himself, was in no
hurry to leave, and from one glass OF
sherry it went to number. and 4
o'clock had arrived before the broker
returned to consciousness OF business.
When he returned to his office he took
up the tape, and to his horror found
that the stock in which he had been
dealing had gone down five points,
completely wiping out his margin. The
decline had been gradual, and had he
gone on the exchange floor when he
started to 60 he could have got off
with a small loss. As it was, he lost
$1,000 and that at critical time
hnn pth tra alto lu
upon him. He left the street that
night ruined man.
II anybody believes that this case
has not had its effect upon the brokers
Of the street let him try to induce one
OF them to take drink during the
busy hours. II he is broker OF any
repute the chances are ten to one that
he will refuse. II he does accept the
chances are just as great that his bust
ness is all over for the day. and that
he has nothing to lose. 1t is not so
much the danger OF becoming intoxicat-
ed as it is the loss Of time to most Of
them. The working hours OF the brok-
er are very short, but there is a con-
tinual hustle from the time that he
arrives on the street in the morning
until he goes home at night This is
true not only of brokers, but OF bust
ness men generally. In the Office OF a
big commission house on Duane street
the other day man invited the head
Of The hOuse ont to lunch
We'll have light lunch and bot
tie OF wine" he said.
mo" said the proprietor firmly. Il
never touch glass of liquor Of any
kind until after get through with my
business"
This same merchant had bitter ex-
perience several months ago. He
started out with customer to enjoy q
light lunch. and at 6 o'clock at nigh,
one OF his employees found the two
with a dozen bottles that had been
full of Rhine wine. on the table in
front OF them. II was a week before
this merchant returned to his business,
and through the neglect Of certain
matters Of which only he had cogni.
zance q contract worth in the aggre.
gate fully 100000 WAS lost