The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-03-06
CHAPTER XII.
THE WRONG ROAD.


This experience taught Russell eau
tion, but it can hardly be said to have
been of any higher sort than the caution
of cowardice. He simply ran away.
His visits to the Rays became more and
more infrequent. He gave up the So
ciety for Culture, and bribed Cupid to
seek oblivion.
His manner of living became different,
and not better. He plunged into ex-
travagance, and though dissipation and
kindred vices had no attractions for
him, and he thus managed to escape
them, he succeeded in spending great
deal of money, and was soon heavily in
debt.
The Manhattan Eleetro-Motor Com
panY had begun active operations. A
factory had been secured and machines
we're being made, The capital stock
had been increased, and Ray was put.
ting in his money in way which showed
that he meant to wage serious COM
mereial warfare, Russell drew good
salary as treasurer and manager of the
company, and to his credit 1t must be
said that he worked hard and exercised
good ability; but as treasurer and man
ager of his own affairs he was not sue
cess. He had become careless, and took
no account of personal expenditures.
Work was harder for him than it had
been in the old days. His brief time of
leisure had made effort difficult. 1t was
not easy for him to understand why this
was true. Looking back upon the ex-
perience of idleness he could see moth
ing pleasant in it, and yet he clung to
it. An exercise of Will,Wa now neces-
sary to accomplish tasks far easier than
the old drudgepy which he had per-
formed mechanically. But Ray was
we'll satisfied with his efforts, and
talked very hopefully of the future of the
company,
'sWe are going to use these motors on
street railways" said he, I" and I'm re-
volving one or two points in my mind
which must be carefully considered.
Eventually we shall organize railway
company, and the question is whether
to do it here in New York or strike some
smaller place."
"The streets seem full of tracks here"
said Russell.
1T isn't tracks," said Ray, sits fran
| chises we want to look out for. With
the help Of legislation we can steal lit
tie piece of this city, but with an equal
Expenditure we can steal whole town
in the West or even in New Jersey, if
we can find one there that isn't already
stolen.- The question is: Where's there
the most money? I'm rather in favor Of
a new place that may gFow in a State
where legislation hasn't so rigid mar
ket price,"
The question was left unsettled for
the time being, and 1t was decided to
market the motors in another way at
first. Russell gave his attention to the
experimenting the preparation of the
works, and the construction Of as
many machines as were necessary
for purposes of exhibition. The stock
had been worked up to a salable figure;
indeed, among few who had ''the tipn
it was regarded as q good thing. AT
Rays suggestion the necessary money
was now raised by the sale of stock
certificates WHICH were to be put on the
market as the machines were made
that is, when ten machines had been
built, hundred shares might be sold
on the treasurer's certifcation. The
stock was placed on deposit with trust
company, and could be disposed of only
under the treasurer's authorization.
Meanwhile Russell was getting harder
and harder pressed financially. His
means of borrowing seemed exhausted,
and his old-time esonomy had apparently
fed beyond recall. He was involved in
dozen difficulties, but had hitherto man
| aged, on his original plan of borrowing
from Peter to pay Paul, to keep his
credit from utterly falling to pieces
But the sums NECESSARY were larger now,
and harder to manage. And here temp
tation seized upon him. His power to
authorize the sale of the stock certih-
Gates and TO receive the money thus real
ICED was the bait used by Satan In
this way he drew his own salarv .Dch
once or twice but succeeded IL J. 40
square accounts. But the CORN * ga
only small balance. Ray was cer rs.si
in other schemes Just then. and his at
tention was removed from motors tenn
poTarilY He thpVRht that for the pres