The news & observer., 1897-06-06

old Grimwood."
The girl drew a long, quivering sigh,
as the Jubilant enthusiastic young man,
the excitement of the day still upon him,
gesticulated and poured forth the tor
rents of words.
WARN him! Warn him.' said her
heart.
Remember your promise" said her
conscience.
Il would rather" she spoke slowly,
and with effort, II would rather be the
poorest laborer in the poorest cottage on
this street than live such life"
80 would /; but I'm not going to live
it. | quit tomorrow night rich man
or dead broke. No half measures for
me; no hanging on year by year to be
smashed at the last. Ennor,' his voice
lowered, II don't care that, for riches
on their own account" He raised his
hand and snapped his fingers, the ges-
ture she had seen when he bid for the
10000 bushels, but l want them to
bring comfort and luxury toto some
one else"
Tell him! Tell him. said her heart
What is all the world to you compared
to this man.
"YOu gave your word of honOrv' said
her conscience.
They stopped at a cross street to let
the rocking, bounding car go swiftly
past. Secrecy, secrecy, secrecy!' hissed
the runner on the overhead wire, spas
medically squirting electricity. Elinor
spoke, not daring to raise her eyes to
his:
please don'tcame any further. l
want to go home alone.'
why, Elinor! My dear girl you're
looking white. What's the matter?'
Il am little tired. 1t has been hard
day for me, too"
'Of course it has. I'm a brute to have
babbled about my own affairs when-but
all the more reason | should see you
home"
"No, no. / want to be alone. Won't
you please"
"Ill do anything you ask, Elinor."
''Then let me say goOdby now."
He stood watching her until she dis
appeared at a turning, never looking
back; then he hailed a trolley car sprung
on board. and was jolted swiftly to the
business portion Of the city.
1t was old GrimwOod himself who be-
gan hostilities next day on the floor of
the stock exchange. He wanted to sell
wheat. it seemed, and the moment that
was apparent, no one wished to buy eX-
cept Howard, who announced himself
ready to take all there was on the mar
ket. Frantic kilograms were hurled at
Chicago. beseeching reliable informa-
ton, the one thing of all others Chicago
was unable to supply. No one was buy
ing but Howard. Those who did any
business followed the lead of old Grim
wood and sold just as timid players at
Monte Carlo put their money on the
color of the man who has broken the
bank. At last even ,-..mwood began to
waver, and finally ceased to offer fur
ther lots, while Howard, in stentorian
voice and uplifted right hand, looked like
a modern Ajax defying the lightning,
which every one knew was bound to
strike somewhere, and that soon, for the
financial sky was becoming exceedingly
lowering.
Il want wheat"' he roared ''Wheat!'
Wheat All done at tat. Who's got any ?
Mr. Grimwood did | have a nod from
your
Il hope you'll be able to pay for what
you've got" murmured Grimwood, but
he did not offer to sell
Come, Mr. Grimwood, surely you can
shake another $4,000 out of your sleeve
at least. I'll jump the price point if
that will be Of any more assistance"
There were no more offers.
No one knows who was the first to get
the truth from Chicago, but kilograms
began to pour in. The name of Hutchin-
son-"Old Hutch"-tlIrilled the crowd
like an electric shock. The biggest strong
est and most seasonable wheat corner the
United States had ever known had been
formed, with Old Hutcn at the head of it.
Wheat went up like a balloon, and the
price of the poor mans loaf was raised
throughout all tie land, so that a group
of Chicago spectators might become
rich.
The moment Howard saw the cereal
cat was ont of the bag all his excitement
vanished, and he thrust his hands in his
pockets, casting a quick glance at the
telegraph office. He was a millionaire
now if the corner held, which, as every
one knows, it did.
Grimwood was hard hit. but no emo
| ton showed itself on his face. tie ap-
preached Howard with something almost
like a smile lowering about his lips, and
like a smile hovering about his lips, and
You seemed to be very sure of your
information, Mr.. Howard. | thought we
had kept the secret better"
I'VE? Are you in that deal?
Eyes. Didn't you know it? Then you
weren't so we'll informed as l thought.
My agents were buying elsewhere while
was selling here. / tell you this so you
may not waste your sympathy ON me. Re
sides, you'll lose all you've gained before
long, anyhow. I've seen many a plunger
in my time"
II may lose the money, Mr.. Grimwood,
but it won't leak into your pockets. Did
you ever hear on the niger who got
religion in the midst Of the poker game
No? Well, he did. He won $1,000 and
then suddenly realizing the beauty of a
better life, he announced his conversion
and fed before his comrades got at their
razors. I'm like that niger, Mr. Grim
wood I'm going to quit, and as soon as
4 4 II ~. L IL. l.