Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-06-04
I,soemed indeed as n this would he

dollars so far" SAID Albert exultingly.
''What do you think of that?"
"You had better sell out, and secure
It," said his wife,
Not. |. will hold on, and make
more"
1T may go down again"
IL don't believe It,"
And 1t did not go down. The fact
was some strong parties controlled the
stock, who were adroitly manipulating
1t for rise. So, quite independently
of its actual value, II rose steadily until
it touched ninety.
At that point Albert was fortunate
enough to sell out, receiving for his
twenty shares eighteen hundred dol
lars
He announced this to his wife with
great satisfaction.
"A clear profit OF six hundred and
eighty dollars" he said "As much as
could lay by in three years-and I've
done 1t inside OF two months. I'd bet
ter have kept it In the savings bank,
hey?"
"Take my advice, and put 1t back
| there, Albert. BE content with what
you have made, and don't risk the mon
ey again"
But Albert Grafton had had a taste of
speculation, and the fatal fascination
was upon him.
| 81 must make another venture, AL
ice," he said. "a don't deny there's
some risk, but want to make little
more"
"You can't expect to be lucky every
time"
ut wasn't luck. used my best judg-
ment in the investment, and it turned
out we'll"
lie began, despite his wife's remon-
strances, to seek out another chance
for n speculation. He was shown the
prospectus of a petroleum company,
which was represented as wonderful
for the unparalleled yield of the wells
already opened upon it. Capital was
needed to sink an additional number,
which there was every reason to think
would yield equally we'll. For that
purpose limited amount of stock was
offered to the public at the extremely
low price Of ten dollars per share.
Albert decided to invest his entire
capital in this promising speculation.
He paid over eighteen hundred dollars,
and received in return certificate OF
one hundred and eighty shares, which
he showed with great satisfaction tc
his wife.
"The shares, 1t is thought, will &C
up to twenty dollars in a month";" he
said.
But unfortunately they did not
They remained at par only week, anc
then declined to nine. Somewhat un
easy, Albert went to the secretary o.
the company for an explanation. He
was assured by that gentleman that i
was all right; that the decline was ow
ing to the efforts of large operator
who wished to buy in cheap, and prof
by the subsequent advance.
If this was the case the operator wal
successful, since another week brough
down the price to seven.
Mrs. Grafton urged her husband t.
sell out
what, and lose over five hundred
dollars?" he exclaimed. 81 am not sucl
fool"
but you may have to lose more"
mo, the officers say it is all right
They are now digging wells. AS sooi
us they prove successful the stock will
take bound upward"
Meanwhile the stock sank to five, an,
again Alice besought her husband t,
sell "You will get back nine hundre'
dollars" she said.
"And lose nine hundred? No, vii
see it through" he said.
Poor Alice looked on with dismay
Her heart sank within her every da,
when she took up the evening paper
and noticed a further decline in tn
stock in which her husbands all wa
invested. She saw that he was to-
headstrong to be influenced, and locke,
forward sadly to the entire loss of tn
money.
The decline continued, until tn
stock touched three. Albert began +
feel serious.
"What do you think Of your stock?
he asked Champion.
81 am out of it" was the reply.
"Out of it. When?"
81 sold out at four-I have lost conf
dence in it"
In panic Albert went to his broke
and directed peremptory sale. Th
next day he sold out realizing tw
dollars per share, instead of the orig
inal ten, making three hundred an
sixty dollars. He hardly knew whethe
to be glad or sorry when he learne
that the stock was no longer his. Br
; his wife heartily rejoiced.
"Atleast," she said, ''you have save
something from the wreck, and yo
have gained experience. Now, let i
put the money back into the saving
bank"
Albert made no opposition. He fe
too much mortified and discouraged {
his losses to wish to engage in any flu
ther enterprise of similar nature.
AS for the petroleum stock, it wer
down and down till it ceased to have
market value The last quotations wer
, ten cents share, and it would not con
mand that now.
Albert Grafton's lesson was sever
one, but it will conduce to his perm'
nent good. He is young yet, and wit
industry and frugality may earn
competence. For one speculator WI
makes fortune there are ten who fai
Slow and sure is very apt to win I'll
; race.-Horatio Alger, Jr., in Yanke
Blade.
a The Real Victim.
; Sharpson lin surprise)-You say yo
t are victim of the cigarette habit?
: never saw you smoking.
e Phlatz-I don't smoke, but can