The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-08
DARKEST BEFORE DAWN.
Had Decided 10 Be Suicide Just Before
Fortune Smiled.

Mr.. F., the proprietor OF one of the
Middlesex. had been for some wears q
member of the stock exchange, when, be-
coming unfortunate, he had to suffer the
jndignity OF coming under the hammer.
The loss OF a handsome fortune, coupled
with the treatment ne had received from
the committee, worked his feelings up TO
such state OF frenzy that, CHANGING to
pass London bridge few Gays after the
battle OF Waterloo, he, in his despair,
threw the last shilling be had In the
world over the bridge into the water.
But for the crowds OF persons who were
passing and repassing, he would have
Thrown himself over the parapet OF the
bridge. and ended his woes by ending
his existence. From that instant he did
form the purpose OF committing suicide,
and he began moving slowly towards
home with that view.
Before he reached the other end of the
bridge be was met by Frenchman with
whom he had been on terms Of great in
tinacy. The latter seized him by the
arm and inquired how he was.
He managed to lisp out an 80. how
are youY'
ssrhis is most important affair to both
countries, saId the Frenchman.
stwhat affair?' inquired the other, par
TALLY recovering himself from the fright
full reverie TO which he had been giving
way.
.why, the great battle, +" observed mon
sieur.
"The great battle, What great battle?"
''rhe bsttle OF Waterloo"
s'You are surely dreaming j have not
heard word about 1t. The newspapers
make no mention of any battle having
been lately fought"
~ dare say they do not. How could
they? Intelligence of II has only reached
town within the last two hours. The
foreign secretary and the Russian ambas-
sedor alone know anything of 1t. Gov
ernment has received The tidings Of 1t by
special courier. 1t is not an hour since i
parted with the Russian am bsssador from
whom had the information. Napoleon
Is signally defeated.
''And the battle was an important
one?''
"Most important, said the French
man, with great emphasis cit will prove
fatal forever to the prospects OF Bona
partc. His usurpation is at an end" he
added with evident Joy, being-a great ad-
hercnt OF the Bourbon family.
Mr.. F. cordially shook the French
man by the hand, and said he would call
on him in a day or two.
Hastily returning TO the city he hurried
10 certain firm on the stock exchange,
Informed him that he had just become
exclusively possessed OF son,e important
information. and expressed his readiness
to communicate IL TO them on condition
that he should receive the half OF what
ever profits they might realize on any
operation they might have In the stock
exchange in consequence of that IN
formation.
They agreed to his proposal; be told
them the result of the battle of Waterloo;
they rushed into the market and pur-
chased consuls TO an enormous amount.
In the meantime Mr.. r. proceeded
to another large house, and told them
also that he possessed information of the
most important character, of which he
was sure they had heard nothing.
he made the same proposal to them as
he had done TO the otker firm; they also,
not supposing Mir. f. had spoken 10
any other party on the subject, at once
closed with the offor, and on the intelli-
gence being communicated to them one
Of the primers called the other aside
there were only two in the counting
house at the time-and whip red to him
not on any account to let Mar. F. OUT
cf his sight, lest he should allow the i'm
portant intelligence to transpire TO some
oue. else, adding that be would that in
slant hurry TO the stock exchange and
employ various brokers TO purchase con-
suls 10 a large smount.
On the DAY on which the intelligence Of
the battle was made general the funds
rose 10 the amazing extent of 10 per cent.
which Is the greatest rise they were ever
known 10 experience.
Mr.. f----s' share OF the profits beween
the two houses In one day exceeded $500. /.
0p.-London Evening News.