The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-10

the money | would write to my friend,
George Whymark, in Cape Town, tell
him how was situated and ask for his
help. l knew that George would do
anything in his power to help me. We
had been schoolfellows and always firm
friends, and a year previously he had
gone out to South Africa, partly on ac-
count of his health and partly to make
his fortune-if he could. We had no
secrets and had sworn always to help
each other whenever the help was asked
for, even at our own personal inconven-
fence and loss.
l went down to my uncle's place, put
the whole matter before him, and asked
him to lend me the $4,000. As ex-
pected, he was very angry at first and
tried to persuade me to let the whole af-
fair drop. He said if l didn't get the
money Mr.. Seymour would withhold
his consent. This wouldn't be my fault,
and 1 could thus withdraw honorably.
Of course, scornfully rejected such adj
vice.
"Well, Harold" he said, 81 am very
grieved to think that after all my advice
you have made a fool of yourself at
| twenty-six years of age. But it shall
make no difference in the future, my
boy. I shall leave you all my money.
But at present, even if would, couldn't
realize $4,000 without great loss, as all
my capital is locked up in various specu,
lative undertakings, and must say that
for your own sake I am glad that you
can't get the money"
| thanked him for his kindness and
went back to town.
That evening | wrote long letter to
George Whymark and told him every
thing and asked for his help told him
| | wanted telegram dispatched to some
leading paper in London, saying that
things were decidedly wrong with the
| Great Cumberland Diamond mines, or
something to that effect. This seemed
very simple. but didn't disguise from
George that it wasn't altogether in ac-
cordance with the law, although I be-
! lieve things like it are done very often
in the world of speculation. 1 told
| George that l left the matter in his
hands, but asked him for the sake of our
great friendship to help me if he con-
scientiously could.
1t would take three weeks for the let
ter to reach George. 1t was now the I'd
of the month, and the last settling day
was ON the Both, so if George did as l
asked him as soon as he got my letter it
| would leave about five days for the OPP
erations. | lived in a state of feverish
excitement for the next fortnight or so.
| knew that ii George was unable to
help me, or if the market did not go as
| wished, l should be ruined for life, and
have to relinquish all hope of Nellie. I
had not seen her since the evening Of
the interview with her father, but re-
ceived note from her three days after,
saying she was that day starting for
Scotland and would be away about six
weeks. She told me to cheer up, as she
knew all would come right in the end.
wished could have felt as sanguine.
On the morning of the 18th the senior
partner of my firm came to me with an
open letter in his hand.
Here is letter from Mr.. Duncan,
of Ethan, asking US to sell LOCO shares
in the Great Cumberland mine for next
account. He mentions your name as
reference. Do you know anything about
him?"
| knew all about the letter, as it was
one | had written myself and posted
from Ethan.
"Oh! yes" I said, ''that is all right.
He is friend of my uncles. He men
toned the other evening that he wanted
to deal in Great Cumberlands, and l adj
vised him to do business through u.s."
''Well, you had better see to it, as I
have to attend two meeting this morn
ing"
During the day managed to dispose
of 1000 shares at prices ranging from
!e24 los. to e25 los. per share, and had
the contract notes made out and posted
to w. Duncan, ESQ.,, Castle hotel, Ell
than, the proprietor of which l knew
very well, and with whom | had ar
ranged to have any letters so addressed
forwarded to myself. On Wednesday
the 23d, l received telegram from
George with the two words son Fri
ieved felt. l knew George would do
nothing by halves, and l felt almost
sure of success.
That afternoon left the office early
and went hown to Ethan and dined at
the Castle hotel. After dinner l wrote
a letter, which l addressed to my firm,
Messrs. Pritchard & Co., and arranged
with the landlord to have it posted on
the morrow, in order to be delivered in
the city first post on Friday morning.
On Friday seized the paper and
glanced hurriedly down the money arti-
Gle. Yes! it was there sure enough.
I'VE received communication last
evening to the effect that the Yaranga
River district in South Africa was
flooded and that great damage had been
done to the Great Cumberland Diamond
company's property. The mine was
flooded and it was feared 100 workmen
were drowned. The loss to the company
was believed to be irretrievable'
This knew was bound to make the
shares fall. You may be sure l felt in
great state of excitement, but tried TO
look as unconcerned as possible when
arrived at the Office.
About 1880 Mr.. Pritchard came to
me with letter.
Here is another letter from Mr.. Dun
can asking Us TO buy in the 1000 Great
Cumberlands for him. l suppose he is
all right, but it looks very much ike
speculation. l see there is bad report