Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-04

STOCK, VINO were adro1tly manipulating
1t for rise. So, quite Independently
OF its actual value, 1t 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 it back
there, Albert Be content with what
you have made, and don't risk the mon
ey again"
But Albert Grafton had had taste of
speculation, and the fatal fascination
was npon him.
81 must make another venture, Al
ice," he said. ~ 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 rcmon-
strnnces, to seek out another chance
for a speculation. lie was shown the
prospectus of 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 a certificate of
one hundred and eighty shares, which
he showed with great satisfaction to
his wife
"Thc shares, it is thought, will go
up to twenty dollars in a month";" he
said.
But unfortunately they did not
They remained at par only week, and
then declined to nine. Somewhat un-
easy, Albert went to the secretary of
the company for an explanation. lie
was assured by that gentleman that It
was all right; that the decline was ow-
ing to the efforts of a large operator
who wished to buy in cheap, and profit
by the subsequent advance.
If this was the case the operator was
successful, since another week brought
down the price to seven.
Mrs. Grafton urged her husband to
sell out.
What, and lose over five hundred
dollars?" he exclaimed. 81 am not such
a fool"
but you may have to lose more"
NO, the officers say it is all right
They are now digging wells. As soon
as they prove successful the stock will
take Il bound upward"
Meanwhile the stock sank to five, and
again Alice besought her husband to
sell. ''You will get back nine hundred
dollars" she said
And lose nine hundred? No, l will
see it through" he said.
Poor. Alice looked on with dismay.
Her heart sank within her every day
when she took up the evening paper,
and noticed a further decline in the
stock in which her husbands all was
invested She saw that he was too
headstrong to be influenced, and looked
forward sadly to the entire loss of the
money.
The decline continued, until the
stock touched three. Albert began to
feel serious
"What do you think of your stock?"
he asked Champion.
81 am out of It," was the reply.
"Out of it. When?"
II sold out at four-I have lost conf
dence in it."
In panic Albert went to his broker
and directed a peremptory sale The
next day he sold out, realizing two
dollars per share, instead Of the orig
inal ten, making three hundred and
sixty dollars. He hardly knew whether
to be glad or sorry when he learned
that the stock was no longer his. But
his wife heartily rejoiced.
"Atleast," she said, you have saved
from the wreck, and you
have gained experience. Now, let us
put the money back into the savings
bank"
Albert made no opposition. He felt
too much mortified and discouraged at |
his losses to wish to engage in any fur |
ther enterprise of a similar nature.
As for the petroleum stock, 1t went |
down and down till 1t ceased to have q
market value The last quotations were |
ten cents a share, and it would not COM
mand that now.
Albert Grafton's lesson was a severe
one, but it will conduce to his perma-
nent good. He is young yet, and with
and frugality may earn a
For one speculator who
makes fortune there are ten who fail.
Slow and sure is very apt to win the
-ace.-HoratiO Alger, Jr., in Yankee
Blade.
The Real Victim.
~, Vs.. /