Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-07-04
Copyright, 1896, by the Author.
CHAPTER /.

~--N0~
Charles Powell never rested except when
he was In bed or In his barber's chair.
He as buyer and seller Of stocks
bonds ana otkcr securities, was nearly
40 years o. age, slightly gray, tall. thin,
nervous and restless When he ate his
meals, he had paper on the table be-
side his plate, and his eyes were CON.
stantly running through columns OF
news, markets, advertisements and edi-
torials, looking everywhere for bar
gains After business hours he contin-
ned his labors till late bedtime by re-
viewing the transactions Of the day and
by writing letters Of inquiry to men In
all parts Of the country concerning the
condition of wheat, corn, cotton, rail-
road properties, town bonds, banks,
manufactures and many other subjects.
From the answers received he drew his
own conclusions as to which side Of the
market he should take. ...
The only oonfldant Mr.. Powell had
was his clerk, and to him he told no
more than was actually necessary for
the smooth transaction Of business BE
employed young Lady stenographer
but, as he wrote fully half his letters
after business hours at his rooms, she
knew little of his affairs. He had been
in New York nearly % years. During
that time he had never left the city.
He had not made q princely fortune, but
had steadily advanced, for he started in
as a messenger boy, and now he calcu-
lated that he was the possessor Of secur-
tiles that could be sold the dullest day
in the year for $3.50, 600.
It was his custom to visit a modest
little barber shop near his Office about 4
O'Clock in the afternoon Of each day.
The shop was q cozy corner, just big
enough for its two barber chairs, three
or four seats for those who might be
waiting, table containing periodicals
and a small case from which the lovers
Of good cigars could always make satis-
flying selections.
It has been said that Mr.. Powell rest
ed only when in his bed or in his bar
ber's chair. Once, when talking about
his past life and this particular event
we are about to relate, he said that 1t
had long been his practice to relax
every muscle when he had composed
himself in the chair and was covered by
the barber's apron. He would close his
eyes, pay no heed to any surroundings
and, so far as possible, cease to think
On this particular occasion, the 27th
day Of May, he remembered nothing
that happened after he had assumed his
customary attitude until he felt the ap
plication Of the toilet water to his fresh
ly shaven cheeks, except this incident:
Two gentlemen with whom he had
often done business ON the market
stepped through the open door and ap-
preached the cigar case just as Mr..
Powell moved forward to take his place
in the chair. While the apron was be-
ing adjusted he heard this conversation:
"You were not ON the market last
weekT'
"No; out Of town" s,
"Too bad You lost q good chance to
make $15, 900 or $40. 900"
Eyes, I know it But haven't been
to my old home in years. Too much
business to get away. I determined 10
pay the old town visit and 20 locked
up the Office and started 1t did me
world Of good. too, and I will never re-
gret the trip"
"Nor will you ever miss what you
failed to make, ".was the reply. 1--WE
all work too hard. There isn't a man
on the street who wouldn't be the bet
ter for more recreation"
Then Mr.. Powell lost himself, and
when the toilet water was applied to
his face he started, sat bolt upright in
his chair, looked in astonishment at his
barber and demanded how he came
there.
"You came in by the door. sir. )" was
the reply.
"How long have I been here2"
"Vell / guess bout dwenty minutes
Dere vas NO customers Waiting und you
vas asleep, 80 I take my time"
"What day is this Mr.. Kreeger9"
''Dis is Toosday, May dwenty-seven.
Mr.. Powell"
"And are ~yea-sme fhaven't been
here more than 30 minutes?"
"Yah, Mr.. Powell, I am certain. You
come In as usual, nod to me leedle
und hang up your hat and umbrella
Den in a couple Of minutes, ven I finish
q customer, you come In dis chair, und
befor I had lathered your chin you vas
asleep"
MI. Powell glanced at his watch.
Then he went to the stand. upon which
were spread the daily papers, and ex-
amined several of them. He then step
ped to the door, beckoned to a newsboy
and bought two Of his last edition, both
of which he looked through carefully.
Then he turned, paid for his shave, sd-
justed his neckwear, remarked that "it
was very strange" and went out
CHAPTER IL
Just how long Mr.. Powell pondered
that evening over the occurrence in the
barber shop he never told his most In
innate friends Of after years It is GER
tain, however, that he wrote no letters,
and he reached his Office in the morn
ing looking considerably fatigued Be-
fore the lapse Of an hour he called his
clerk, John Kendall, to his desk and
told him he had made up his mind to
leave town for fortnight Possibly the
time might be extended indefinitely. 1t
all depended upon circumstances. 1--WE
must devote the remainder Of the week
In nlosino, nm as far as nOsaihle all trans