Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1893-03-01
THE LAUGHING MAN.
IF IN WALL STREET, 1T MAY NOT
MEAN THAT tlE FEELS SAFE.

Typical Scene In One of the Well Known
Bankers and Brokers' Offices With
Which the Money Center of the 1Ietrop-
oils Is CrOwded-Currying Favor.
In the interval between the morning
and afternoon sessions of the Stock Elk
change tho spectators and operators sat
in the brokers' Office studying the ques-
tions as they had been marked up on the
blackboard by junior clerk. They spoke
but little. Some were making mental
calculations, some were building air
castles, few were hugging themselves
with delight fortune was in their
favor, and others looked grim and Ell
rleavored to conceal their chagrin and
regrets at losses by the operations of the
morning. Not a 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 and effect, some
thing more than unreasoning faith in
fortunes favor is necessary to open the
purse strings of it's followers. These men
were veterans, and the gamblers passion
was subordinated to cold calculations.
An old but gay and sprightly man
came upon the scene. He was the pro-
prietor of the Office, a big broker, widely
known and very popular. He was re-
puted to be the possessor of great wealth.
Upon his favor depended the fortunes of
some of the men in the chairs. Should
he withdraw it at q critical moment they
might sink out Of sight overwhelmed by
ruin, wrecks to be pointed out by the
curious in after days as some of the ''has
beens" of Wall street. He addressed them
on the subject of gold shipments, argu-
ing from his own view points as to their
effects upon the prosperity of the com
munity. He had the manners and voice
of stump speaker. He interlarded his
remarks with jokes and "reminiscences
and talked volubly. A handsome gray
haired man, with smooth face and erect
figure, watched him and the others close
ly. When the broker had finished and
disappeared into his private Office, this
man said quietly to tho friend, visitor
who sat beside him:
II know now just about how all Of
these mon stand. Did you observe them
while Jo. ) was talking? Did you no.
tice how some of them laughed loudly at
his jokes, while others only smiled, and
still others remained impressive? Did you
see how those who laughed loudest strove
to catch his eye, as though to say: See
me; appreciate your humor; am inn
pressed with your remarks. The others
here may not follow you, but am all
ears And the meaning of all that is
that they want to curry favor with him
and win his personal good will, so as to
bank against it should they need his
financial assistance.
II always pay attention to the crowd
when he talks, for by observing them I
can tell how much margin each is trad
ing on. The man who laughs loudest
and is most obsequious is very close to
sinking. He fears he may go under any
moment, and his laughter is desperate
appeal to save him. It rings in my ears
like the cry Of the drowning wretch who
yells: Save mel Save mel can al
most see him struggling in the waves
and tearing his finger nails on the CLASSY
sides of the rocks against which he is
dashed in his attempts to pull himself
into safety. Every time that man roars
at one Of Jones' jokes, and holds his
sides as though they would split, I feel
throb of sympathy for him, for know
his case is very desperate. The man who
laughs moderately, looks knowing and
has fairly contented expression has
fair margin up and feels safe. But the
man who looks at Jones with an air of
Indifference or has the courage to frown
upon him is the object Of my deepest
envy. That man reposes on financial
rock so high and solid that an earth
quake would recoi1 from it. And, de-
pend upon it, every other man in this
place cnvies him too. If they dared, they |
would stroke his coat and rub shoulders |
with him in the hope of gaining luck |
thereby.
81 will never forget the sensation |
caused once by q man getting up here |
and calling Jones loudly by his first
name. That William still rings in my |
ears. There was dead silence for fully a |
minute after it had been uttered. Every |
one of us expected to see the rash man
struck by thunderbolt or consumed by |
the whitening scorn Of Jones lightning
glance. l felt my blood CONCEAL with
horror, and several of the others told me
that they looked for some
thing awful. But Jones looked as sweet
as an angel, and we all could have wor-
SHIPPED the daring one on the spot. He
received d dozen invitations to drink
within 10 minutes and was overwhelmed
With offers Of cigars. His margin, after
warl discovered. was 10 per cent. There
Is report that another man called Jones
Bill some years ago, but don't believe
It. If anybody did that, it was an out
,idet. No customer with proper con-
sidecation of the possibilities of the fu-
lure could SO far forget himself, even
though his immediate conditions were
most prosperous New York Sun.