The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-29
EBENSBURG. Pa, FRIDAY. MAY 90. 1891
1T may 20 down again. "
~ H., ILL.,. - -

was some strong parties controlled the
stock, who We're asiroitly manipulating
it for a rise So quite Independently
of its actual valne, it rose steadily until
il 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 it inside of two months I'd bet
ter have kept it in the savings bank,
hey?"
Take my advice, and put il 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 upon him.
Il must make another venture, Al
ice," he said Il don't deny there's
some risk but ] want to make little
more"
You can't expect to be lucky every
. time"
1T wasn'tlucll- | used my best judg-
ment in the investment, and ii turned
out we'll"
He began, despite his wifc's remou-
strances, 10 seek out another chance
for speculation. He 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,
would yield equally well. For that
purpose u 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 Il certificate of
one hundred and eighty shares, which
he showed with great satisfaction To
his wife
The shares. it Is thought, will 60
up To twenty dollars in ii month"; he
said
But unfortunately they did not
They remained at par only week. and
then declined TO nine Somewhat un-
easy, Albert went 10 the secretary of
the company for an explanation He
was assured by that gentleman that IL
was all right; that the decline was ov-
ing TO the efforts of Il large operator
who wished TO buy in cheap, and profit
by the subsequent advance.
If this was the ease 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
4.
fool"
But YOU may have to lose more"
.'No, the officers say it il all right
They are now digging wells ~ soon
rs they prove succcSss:il the stock viii
take a bound upward
Meanwhile the stock sank to five. and
again Alice -esought her husband TO
sell ''You will got back nine hundred
dollars" she said.
And lose nine hundred? No. Will
see it through, he said
Poor Alice looked on with di>may
Her heart sank within her eve 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 bc influenced, and looked
forward sadly To the entire loss of the
money.
The decline continued. uatil the
stock touched three. Albert began to
feel serious.
What do yeu think of your stocl<?''
me asked Champion.
Il am out of il, - was the reply:
''Out of it. Wl3en?"
Il sold out at fcgT-f have lost conf
dence III it.
In panic Albert went TO his broker
and directed a pereiuptoTy 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 whom he learned
that the stock was no longer lfia. But
his wife heartily rejoiced.
AT least she said, You have saved
something from the wreck, and you
have gained experience Now, let US
put the money back into the'savings
bank
Albert made no opposition. lie 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. it went
down and down tal it ceased To have a
market value The hast 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 eonduce to his perma-
ncnt good lie Is young yet, and with
industry and frugality may earn a
competence. For one specuiator who
makes fortune there are ten who fail.
Slow and sure is very apt to win the
race.-Horatie Alger, Jr., in Yankee
Rla6e