Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-24

dation of the customers of the bank.
Even in my exaltation was surprised,
for the figures were $l5, 600.
Before Harold went to Europe he
placed some bills in my hands, of which
had made use, such as paying Mrs.
Murphy and my personal expenses. I
had drawn only the single check OF $lO,-
900. He had assured me that just ten
times that amount was subject to my
call, and that half Of it was absolutely
mine.
Evidently there was mistake some
where, for the whole amount left at my
command was $4,000. However, that
was not the time to inquire into the
matter. It could wait.
I drew out every dollar of the balance
and added it to the package in my pock-
ct. That made goodly sum with which
I could make or mar my fortune in Wall
street. was resolved to do one of these
things
1t would be a fitting climax with
which to wind up my loss of strength.
I did not know soul in that finan-
oial center, though several persons spoke
to me, and returned their salutations.
Entering the Office of the first promi-
nent firm of brokers, I controlled my
agitation so as not to attract attention
and made inquiries as to the movements
of the various stocks.
"Have you any intention of making
q venture?" was the bland inquiry.
"That is what brings me here. What
do you advise?"
"Have you any preference"
"None. I simply made up my mind
awhile ago to take fiier. Here is S25,-
900. Invest it for me as your judgment
dictates.
He gave me receipt, thanked me for
my custom, and told him would call
on the following afternoon to learn the
result.
walked all the way back to my
rooms up town. The exercise and the
reaction from the grotesque step had
taken acted as a soporific. My fever
cooled, and a refreshing calm suffused
my being. I was not afraid to re-enter
my apartment and to sit down in the
chair, from which had bounded with
q nameless terror.
looked at the black, ponderous safe,
which seemed to glover and gibe at me
from the adjoining room as if to say:
"Vain fool, you would lift ME again
from my support Try it and be over
whelmed with shame"
But did not accept the challenge. I
was not afraid to do so, but what man
knowingly attempts the impossible?
After all, as I reflected, it was we'll
that it had come out thus. To go about
the world with the power Of Samson
was to separate me from my kind. By
and by would find myself apart from
others. If in due time I should seek q
wife, she would shrink from me upon
learning my inexplainable gift. But now
I was only All ordinary man.
Strange how quickly sound philos-
ophy reconciles us to the inevitable! My
sickening horror, my awe, my dread, left
me- Truly l was relieved to have things
as they were.
But with this new phase Of the situa-
ton came vexing thoughts of another
nature.
had risked every dollar l possessed
where the chances were hundred
to one that l would lose all. Then
I would be penniless. No doubt when
the matter was explained to Harold he
would assist rue. But l could not live
upon the generosity of that man who
had already done so much for ME.
I would tell him the whole truth, but
sternly refuse any aid. Why should not
I earn my own living like any other
person? I was no better than thousands
of young men that do not shrink from
carving their own fortunes.
What lunatic / had been to risk all
on the throw of a die! would return
to the brokers and cancel my order.
had reached the elevator, when a
glance at my watch showed that the
afternoon was so well along that it was
impossible to get to Wall street in time.
All the offices were closed.
"It's too late. / must resign myself
to the calamity that know is coming.
My victory over myself seemed to
have given me renewed mental strength.
Despite the conviction that my fortune
was to depart with the same suddenness
it had come, put the disquieting re-
fection behind me and began thinking
of-Jeanette Lawrence.
had not answered her letter, and
doubtless she felt hurt by my neglect,
but with that sweet charity which is
essentially the possession of her sex she
would attribute it to my brain trouble
and not blame me therefor
With my musings turned into another
channel-that is, toward Harold-a
vague uneasiness crept over ME.
There is something in his course
which | do not understand. have it in
his own hand that there was $l00,O00
in the bank subject to my order when
the amount was only onc-fourth of that.
1t may have been a mistake OH his part,
and will let it go ut that.
1t is something else that troubles
me. He kept from me every hint of this
counterfeiting business. Discoe told me
that on two occasions at least Harold