The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-12-05
FROM WALL ST. TO NEMGATE.
Continued from first page.)

the Pirate Chief. How easy to guess the
sequel! Yet I was not bad boy-far
from it. only needed wise guidance
and good companionship, and as the ig-
norance and crudity Of my character
dropped off the innate virtue-mine by
lawful heritage-would have been de-
veloped. But pitchforked into the wild
whirl of Wall street and its fast set OF
gilded youth, the gates Of the Primrose
Way to destruction were held wide open
to my eager feet.
The situation my father had obtained
for me was with asugar broker of the
name of Waterbury. He was partner
in large refinery, his Office being in
South Water street. He was nice, con-
sentative old man and let things run on
easily. His chief clerk, Mr.. Amber,
was every inch a gentleman, who,
quickly perceiving what an ignoramus
I was, out Of the goodness Of his heart
resolved to teach me something.
There were two sharp young men in
our Office. They liked me we'll enough,
but used to guy me numerically for my
simplicity and clumsiness. One Of them,
Harry by name, was something Of a
scapegrace, and soon acquired quite a
power over me. stood in much fear Of
his ridicule and frequently did things
for which my conscience reproached me
rather than stand the fire of his rail,
lery. The greatest harm he did me was
in firing my imagination with stories
of Wall street, Of the fortunes that were
and could be made in the goldroom or
on change. He made tolerably clear the
modus operandi of spectators, and l
secretly resolved that some day I, too,
would try my fortune.
My friend Mr.. Ambler's health was
bad, and frequent attacks Of illness
caused him to be away from the Office
for weeks at a time, and that meant
much loss to me- When 1 had been there
about a year, he resigned his position
and went as manager for factory in
New Haven. But before leaving he in
terested himself so far in my welfare as
to secure me position with firm of
brokers in New street at salary Of
$40 week. Ny employers were good
fellows, lovers of pleasure and men Of
the world, not scrupling to talk freely
with me of their various adventures out
of business hours. had lost much Of
my awkwardness and gauche manners,
and under the $40 week arrangement
began to dress fairly we'll Ny employ
ers did brokerage business and specu-
L. %l,a;,,
Ny duties We're decidedly light and
pleasant and brought me into contact
with some of the sharpest as well as
the most famous men in the street.
Among them was a brilliant young man
of my own age, who took great fancy
to me and frequently proposed that we
should start for ourselves. Being doubt
full Of my powers, shrank from risking
my scanty funds in any speculative ven
ture. Much to my mothers concern I
had begun attending the theater, and
one night on my friend Weeds invita-
ton went with him to Niblo's. After
the performance we went to supper at
Delmonico's, and was perfectly fas-
cinated by the company and surround
ings, going home long past midnight
different man than I had last left it.
The next day Ed came to the ONCE and
invited me to lunch, where, after MAX
ing some disparaging remarks about the
country cut Of my garments, he offered
to introduce me to his tailor, who was
never in hurry for his money. After
business that day we walked up town
together, and, prompted by Ed, order
ed $3.50 worth Of garments, then went
to his outfitter and ordered nearly an
equal amount in shirts, ties, gloves, etc.
One amusing result was that when, a
few days later, walked down to our
Office, CONNIE il fault in garb, my en-
ployers raised my salary to $50 a week,
but this left me poorer than when had
husbanded my poor little $40. Soon
after, piloted by Ed, ventured $50 ON
a margin in gold. Unluckily won, in
vested again and again, and within ID
days was 1924 ahead. I paid my tailor
and outftter's bill, bought a 800
watch on credit and gave a wine supper
on borrowed money. Soon after this
"CuV w UOhAu al Ulo OAU OU. N1CuOl1S,
the then fashionable hotel From that
time I began to drift more and more
away from home influences
Soon after the wine supper episode
threw up my position, and Ed and I
started on our own account under the
name Of E. Weed & Co. My partners
parents were wealthy, and his father
had been we'll known in the street,
which fact gave US standing.
The years I speak of were fortunate
ones for Wall street, stocks of every
kind on the boom, the general wealth
of the country massing up by leaps and
bounds, and every kind Of speculative
enterprise being launched. Our firm
history was the usual one Of broker
firms in that tumultuous arena-the Wall
street Of those commissions in
plenty, greenbacks in plenty, but ones
bank account never growing, for what
was made by day in the wild excitement
Of shifting values was thrown away
amid wilder scenes at night. Those,
too, were indeed the flush times for
the professional gambler, for men were
not content r.nless thew hnrned the can.