Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-09-08
THE THREADOF FATE

speech might have called alm toy man. He strolled into Q down town broker's office two minutes after the door was opened
 Amy money for mel" he asked lam guidly of the head clerk.
 ''No, but We shall want a little if We are to carry yesterdays purchases for you any longer, sir. r.'
 The clerk handed out a slip. Tho lit tic man took it, glanced at it and then, putting the paper down, drew out his checkbook-
 The stock is bound to rise before the day is over?'' he asked as he pushed the check through the clerks wicket.
 Can't say, sir
 But what do you think?'
 ''I don't think, sir. It's ono of the rules of the house that none but the partners may give advice or information to the customers
 ''Either partner about?"
 ''NOt just at present, sir"
 Please have me notified as soon as it touches the figure 1 mentioned. I will sell out promptly when it reaches the right figure. need the money by this afternoon
 ''Mr. Wheaton has your instructions, sir, and he will follow them faithfully.
 The little man sauntered out, entered a 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 q cigar and smoked it refiectiyely for awhile.
 'Bless me, it's IO:3O alreadyr' he murmured, coming to himself and pull ing out his watch ''I must get back to the broker. Dare say he's sold my little investment for me. In that case I'll have the money all right before noon. l."
 The same clerk was still at the little window.
 "well:'' asked the little man.
 More margins" said the clerk. That stock Is going down"
 Why, yes, indeed!" murmured the plunger. This is really a heavier mar gin than paid an hour or two ago"
 But he took out his checkbook- There was not the sign of a cloud on his face as he wrote the figures-s3, GOO.
 Here you are,'' he said, passing in the check .'I wish you'd ask MT Wheaton if he can't hurry up the deal Il believe he 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 out again. O. the sidewalk he paused, looking irresO- lutely about him
 Wonder what l 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 sec any way out of it. I'm very surc that I couldn't become habitue of Wall street. should die of ennui. However. haven't time to go up town must be on hand to receive the money that this investment is going to bring me
 So he wandered back to the cafe It was too iiot 10 eat, and besides he wash t hungry. He ordered small bottle and tried to drink it: but met with only in- different success.
 Yet he managed to put ill an hour at the cafe. Then he rose and went back to the office,
 As he entered his eye frightened and he hastencd his step, for he saw MT. Wheaton ill his private office.
 Well, what news:" he asked Have you sold out for me:''
 ''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 hurricdly out to the clerks desk, drawing out his checkboob as he went.
 He merely glanced at the slip and then wrote ont the check, but there was q cloud on his face
 ''I hope the tide'll turn soon," he said I've only got s. 100 left, and then"-
 And them" the clerk repeated.
 Well, 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 or tho world When things get to this pitch. !" rnurmured the little man to himself, II suppose it's the proper thing tC watch the stock ticker. I'll be blessed, ] though, if know how to do it ''
 He confded his difficulty to the clerk. who oblSingly explained to the neo ! phytc what the seemingly cabalistiC characters on the tape were really in tended to show. ! ''I think understand now, said thu little man If you don't mind, I'll stay right here beside it. ."
 ''The tape is for the convenience ot our customers. replied the clerk anG went back to his absorbing task owe, the books
 1 For tho next hour the little man stoot by the ticker reading tho occasiona quotations of his stock.
 Its going down gradually" h. murmurcd ''Thero'n be another assess ment soon Why can't the wretcheC stock go up?'
 Even while he was propOunding thii conundrum to himself the clerk ap preached with another of those fatefu slips
 ''Nine hundred? Certainly" re Eponded the little man, and the check book came out once more.
 There was a look of decided annoy ance on his face as he returned to tn instrument that was slowly, relentless ly grinding out the serial story of for i tunes won and lost
 Dr. Darcy, a friend of Wheaton's was in the office with the broker.
 five been studying that little fellow 1 out there" said the medical man. "H is a good illustration of the crying evil of your line of business
 The broker smiled carelessly, thel yawned as if either the heat of the da, or the turn of tho conversation rendere.