The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-05-23

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. 81 don't deny there's
some risk, but l want to make a little
more"
you can't expect to be lucky every
time"
1T wasn'tluck. used my bes: judg-
ment in the investment, and it turned
out we'll"
He began, despite his wife's remon-
strances, to seek out another chance
for a 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 rcason to think
would yield equally well. For that
purpose a 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.
The shares, it is thought, will go
49, - l,lla-- - ,o-th ~ ha
| said.
But unfortunately they did not.
They remained at par only a week, and
then declined to nine. Somewhat I'M
easy, Albert wen to the secretary of
the company for an explanation. He
was assured by that gentleman that it
was all right; hat 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 gel
Mrs. Grafton urged her husband to
sell out.
What, and lose over five hundred
dollars?' he exclaimed. "a am not such
Il fool"
But you may have to lose more"
NO, the officers say it is all right
They are now digging wells. As Dol
as they prove successful the stock will
take a bound upward"
Meanwhile the stock sank to five, and
again Alice bcsought her husband to
sell. You will get back nine hundred
dollars" she said.
And lose nine hundred? No, | 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 he 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.
Il am out of it" was the reply.
"Out of it. When?"
Il sold out at four-I have lost conf
dence in it"
In a panic Albert went to his broker
and directed a pcremptory sale. The
next day H. sold out. realizing two
dollars per share, instead of the orig
inal ten. making three hundred and
sixty dollars. lie hardly knew whether
be glad or sorry when he learned
that the stock was no longer his. But
his wife heartily rejoiccd.
AT least" she said, you nave 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
Their enterprise of a similar nature.
AS for the petroleum stock, it went
down and down till it ceased to have "a
market value. The last quotations were
ten cents IA 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
industry and frugality may earn a
competence. For one spcculator who
makes a fortune there are ten who IA
Slow and sure is very apt to win the
race.-Horatio Alger, Jr., in Yankee
DI.I,