The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-02-25
THE LAUGHING NAN.
IF m WALL STREET, IT MAY NOT
MEAN THAT He FEELS SAFE.


oils Is CrDwded-Curr,iny Favor.
In the interval between the morning
and afternoon sessions of the Stock EN-
change the SPECTATORS and operators SIT
in the brokers' office studying the uues-
tions as they had been market up on the
blackboard by IA junior clerk. They spoke
but little. Some We're making mental
calculations. some were building air
castles. a few were hueging themselves
with delight because fortune wasinthcir
favor. and others looked grim and en-
deavored to conceal their chagrin and
regrets at losses by the operations of the
morning. Not il few were wrestling
with Bassanio's problem. considering
whether another arrow would discover
that already lost. In gambling the hope
that another fling at fortune will bring
her down never fades. But those who
gamble daily recognize that such reason
ing is not sound. and where. as in Wall
street, all the investments are based upon
~theorizing as to cause n effect. some
thing more than unrnasoning faith III
fortunes favor Is necessary to open the
purse strings of its followers. These men
were veterans. and the gamblers passion
was suborainatea to cold calculations.
An old but gay and sprishtly man
came upon the scene. He was the pro
prietor OF the office. a Zig broker. widely
known and very popular. He was re-
pnted to be The pe>sessor of great wealth.
Upon his favor depended the fortunes Of
some OF he men in the chairs. Should
he withdraw it at Il critical moment they
might sink out Of sight OVERWHELMED, IL
ruin. wrecks to be pointed ont by the
curious i'll after days a. some of the ..Ilas
beens" of Wall street. He addressed them
on the subject of gold shipments. argr-
ing from his W view points as To their
effects upon the prosperity Of the com
munlty. He had the manners and voice
OF a stump speaker. He interlarded his
remarks with jokes and "reminiscences
and talked volubly. A handsome grl,
haired man. with smooth face and erect
figure. watched him and the Others close.
ly. When the broker had finished aud
disappeared into his private Office, this
man said quietly to the friend. a visito,
who sat beside him:
II o just about how all Of
these men stand. Did you observe them
while Jones was talking? Did you no
tice how some Of them laughed loudly at
his jokes, while others only smiled. and
still others remained imrassive: Did You
see how those who laughed loudest streve
to catch his eye, as though to say:..-ec
me: appreciate your hnmor: | am IN
pressed with your remarks. The others
here may not follow YOU, but ! am all
ears. And the meaning Of all tl4at is
that they want to curry favor with him
and win his personal good will. SO as 10
bank against it should they need his
financial assistance.
II always pay attention to the crowd
when he talks. for by observing them !,
can tell how much margin each is trad-
ing on. The man who laughs ~loutles:
and Is most ~obseaniois is very close to
sinking. He fears he may go under any
moment. and his laughter is a desperate
appeal to save him. 1t rings in my ears
like the cry of thee drowning wretch who
yells: Save me. Save met | can nj.
most see him struggling in the waves
and tearing his finger nails ON the CLASSY
sides Of the rocks against which he Is
in his attempts to pull himself
safety. Every time that man roars
at n Of Jones' jokes, and holds his
sides as though they would split, | feel a
throb of sympathy for him. for | know j,
his case is very desperate. The man who
moderately. looks knowing and
has a fairly contented expression has il
fair margin up and feels safe. But the
who looks at Jones with an air OF
or has the courage TO frown
upon him is the object Of my deepes.
envy. That man reposes on a financial
rock SO high and solid that an earth
quake would recoil from it. And, de-
upon it, every other man in this
place enyies him too. If they dared, they
would stroke his coat and rub shoulders
him in the hope of gaining luck
I
Il will never forget the sensation
once by a man getting up here
md calling Jones loudly ly his fir
That William still rings in NJ
'ars. There was dead silence for fully a L
minute after it had been uttered. Every :
me of us expected TO see The rash man /.
truck by u thnnderbolt or consumed by =
he whitening seorn of Jones lightning
| felt my blood CONCEAL will
lorror. and several of the others told me
that they Looked for some
hing awful. But Jones looked as sweet 1
s an angel, and we all could have wor- ]
hiped the daring n on the spot. He
eceived a dozen invitations to drink
within 10 minutes and was overwhelmed
nth offers of cigars. His margin. | after.
discovered. was 10 per cent. Their
a report that another man called Jones
ill some years ago. but don't believe
!. If anybody did that, it was an out
der. No customer with a proper con
of the possibilities of the ft-
nre could so far forget himself, even
bough his immediate conditions were
lost prosperous. New York Sun.