The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-02-28
THE LAUGHING Man.
iF IN WALL STREET; tT MAY NOT
MEAN THAT he FEELS SAFE.
A Typical Scene In One OF the Wen Known
"Bankers and Brokers' ofices With
which the Money Center or the srctrop-
oils IL Crowded. CurTyine Favor.

which the Money Center or the BTctrop-
oils IL Crowded--Curryine Favor.
In the interval between the morning
and afternoon sessions of the Stock Ex-
change the 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. a few were hugging themselves
with delight because fortune was in their
favor. and others looked grim and en-
deavored To conceal their chagrin and
regrets at losses by the operations Of the
morning. Not 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 bringl
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 its followers. These men
were veterans. and the gamblers passion
was suhordinated to cold calculations.
An old but gay and sprightly man
came upon the scene He was the pro-
Iprietor 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 IL 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
Iof 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 the friend, a visitor,
who sat beside him:
II know now just about how all OF
these men stand. Did you observe them
while Jones was talking2 Did you no
tice how some of them laughed loudly al
his jokes. while others only smiled, and
still others remained impressive? Did you
see how those who laughed loudest strovt
to catch his eye, as though to say: See
me; appreciate your huInor; am inn
pressed with your remarks. The Others
here may not follow you. but am al
ears And the meaning of all that il
that they want to curry favor with hin
and win his personal good will, SO as tx
bank against it should they need hii
financial assistance.
, Il always pay attention to the GROVE
when he talks, for by observing them
can tell how much margin each is trad
ing on. The man who laughs loudes
and is most obseluious is very close II
sinking. He fears he may go under any
moment, and his laughter is a desperat.
u appeal to save him. 1t rings in my ear.
like the cry of the drowning wretch wht
yells: Save me! Save mer can al
most see him struggling in the wave.
and tearing his finge.. nails on the CLASSY
sides OF the rocks against which he il
dashed in his attempts to pull himself
into safety. Every time that man roar.
at one of Jones jokes, and holds hi.
sides as though they would split, feel /
throb of sympathy for him, for know
his case is very desperate. The man VIII,
laughs moderately, looks knowing ant
has . fairly contented expression has .
fair margin up and feels safe. But th,
man who looks at Jones with an air O
Indifference or has the courage to frowl
upon him il the object of my deepes
envy. That man, reposes on Q financia
] rock so high and solid that an earth
i quake would recoil from it. And, de
] pend upon it, every other man in thi
) place envies him TOO. If they dared, the,
q would stroke his coat and rub shoulder
! with him in the hope Of gaining lucl
: thereby. *.
~ win never forget the sensation
caused once by man getting up her
. and calling Jones loudly by his frs
! name That William still rings in m,
I ears. There was dead silence for fully
] minute after it had been uttered. Ever,
one of us expected to see the rash maj
i struck by thunderbolt or consumed b,
] the whitening scorn of Jones Hghtnin,
: glance. | felt my blood CONCEAL witt
: horror, and several of the others told m
q afterward that they looked for some
i thing awful. But Jones looked as swee
, an an angel, and we all could have wor
. shipped the daring one on the spot. III
. received dozen invitations to drinl
o within 10 minutes and was overwhelmed
i with offers Of cigars. His margin, after
y ward discovered. was 10 per cent. Their,
4 Ia report that another man called Jone
= Bill some years ago, bnt don't believ,
Q II. liz anybody did that. it was an ont
+ Eider. No customer with proper con
sideration of the possibilities Of the fu
ture could 30 far forget himself. ever
though his immediate conditions wer,
most prosperous. New York Sun.
"A company has been organized at Saa