Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-09-01
THE THREADOF FATE

lie was q HUE AdN-5le OF slrcastlC
speech might have called him toy
man. He strolled into down town
brokers' Office two minutes after the
door was opened.
ANY money fer nlo?'' he asked Ian
guidly of the head clerk.
"No, but we shall want g little.if we
are to carry yesterdays purchases Tor
you any longer, sir, .
The clerk handed ont a slip. Tho lit
tie man took it, glanced at it ard then.
putting the paper down. drew out his
checkbook.
'.The stock is bound torise before the
day is overFs he asked as he pushed tho
check through the clerks wicket
Cant say, sir.
''But what do you think?n
81 dent think, Sir. It's one Of the
rulcs of tho house thas mono but the
partners may give advice or information
to the customers.
Either partner about:"
Mot just at present, sir.
"Pleasc have me notified as soon as
it touches the figure | mentioned. |
will sell out promptly when it reaches
the right figure l need the money by
this afternoon.
''Mr Wheaton has your instructions,
sir, and he will follow them faithfully.
The little man sauntored out, entered
nearby cafe that is famous among
Wall street men. ordered a champagne
cocktail and a light breakfast and lei
surely disposed Of it. Then he lighted
a cigar and smoked it reiloctively for
awhile.
s'Bless me, it's 1890 already!" he
murmured, coming to himself and pull
ing out his watch. II must get back to
the broker Dare say he's sold my little
investment fer me. In that case III
have the money all right before noon.
The same clerk was still at the little
window.
"Well?" asked the little man.
''Mere margins, y said the clerk
"That stock is going down =
Why, yes, indeedN' murmured the
plmger 'tThis is really a heavier mar
gin than I paid an hour or two ago. +"
But he took out his checkbook. There
was not tho sign of cloud on his face
as lie wrote the tigures-S3, 600,
Here you are he said, passing in
the check. II wish you'd ask Mr.
Wheaton if he can't hurry up the deal
Il believe lie called it that--for this
affair is getting decidedly expensive. A
few more such drafts upon me will ex-
haust me ?"
The clerk paid little attention to this
remark He was accustomed to such
phrases. They were part of his daily
life.
The little man went ont again. On
the sidewalk ko paused, looking irreso-
lutely about him
Wonder what can do to kill timer"
he thought People who spend all
their time around Wall street must find
it terribly hard to kill time day in and
day out It's kind of monotonous to
pass all the time in that cafe but |
don't see any way out Of it. I'm very
sure that | couldny become q habitue
of Wall street | should die Of ennui
However, ] haven t time to so up town
] must be ca hand to receive the money
that this investment is going to bring
me- -
So he wandered back to the cafe 1t
was tco hot to eat, and besides hewasn' t
hungry. He ordered small bottle and
tried to drink it, but met with only in
different success.
Yet he managed to put in an hour at
the cafe. Then he rose and Went back
to the Office
AS be entered his eye frightened and
he fastened his step, for lie saw Mr..
Wheaton in his private Office
'tWcll, what news2' he asked
"Have you sold out for me?"
1.-THE clerk has something for you. +"
Wheaton replied.
mot another assessment, l hope?"
I'm sorry to say it is" The little
man walked rather hurriedly cut to the
clerks desk, drawing out his checkbook
as he went.
He merely glanced at the slip and
then wrote out the check, but there was
cloud on his face
Il hope the tido'n turn soon, he
said. I've only got So, 100 left. and
them
"And then?" the clerk repeated
'tWeh, perhaps you don't know what
it means to me. -
The clerk didn't even take the trouble
to ask Hard hearted? Well, brokers'
clerks don't attempt to shoulder the
troubles of the world
When things get to this pitch,
mprmured the little man to himself,
81 suppose it's the proper thing to
watch the stock ticker. I'll be blessed,
though, if l know how to do it. =
He confided his difficulty to the clerk,
who obligingly explained to the neo-
phyte what the seemingly cabalistic
characters on the tape were really in
tended to show.
Il think understand now, p" said the
little man. IF you don't mind. III
stay right here beside it.
1.-THE tape is for the convenience Of
our customers. replied the clerk and
Envelopes. with your card neatly