The age-herald., 1900-12-09
SKETCHES FROM
 EVERY DAY LIFE
A CASTLE IN SPAIN.

 street to this effect. Everyone was poor and anxious to make a little money. In spite of the fact that no one had any conh- dence in the speculator, everyone seemed to feel that cotton was sure to go up, and all agreed to go in. It was decided not to take in any of the Hazletons-of course the Bell crowd was quite out of the question. Then Aunt Mary must be kept in the dark, or she would make the whole thing public, and there were narrow minded people who did not look approvingly on cotton specula- tion The scheme once agreed on. the la dies were so busy spending the anticipated profits that it was a hard matter for the speculator, who was man of business, to get them out of the clouds so as to perfect the details. Miss Byron had $25, with which she intended to buy a dress, but of course 1t would be better to make an addl- ~tional $25 in cotton. The doctor had col lected fec the artist, strange to say, had sold a picture, so both had a little money which they were willing to double. Alto- gether about $250 was subscribed but the speculator said this would never do-that the profits on $25O would not be large enough to go around and that there must be 5000 at least. Il was finally arranged that Mrs. Kellogg and the speculator should endorse a note for that amount and borrow it from the bank and that the oth- CTS, who did not want their names known in the matter should sign note to Mrs. Kellogg to secure her This was done, and the next day at 10 o'clock the money was borrowed. and the speculator had bought for the syndicate 1000 bales of cotton. At 12 o'clock he received a telegram from the New York brokers that the market had gone down, and he must send another 5000 to protect his margin. With cool indiffer- ence he went to Mrs. Kellogg and explain ed the situation; that it was necessary to put up another thousand in order not 10 lose the money already sent. Mrs. Kellogg, trembling with fright and dismay, signed another note. She had not lost many thousands as the speculator, and could not help feeling emotion. MT. Kellogg. known to be one of the aforesaid narrow minded people, had not been admitted to the syn dicate. Those who were admitted were re- quested to sign a second note of Sl00O to Mrs. Kellogg.
 
 three months none could tell The once joyful meetings at Mrs. Kellogg's had lost their charm, and the syndicate met only to hear gloomy market reports from the spec uiator. He was rapidly losing his popular ity with his co-financiers, but he had lost so many thousands that he could easily lose little popularity without being dis turbed. Miss Byron ceased to sing, Miss Ridgeway neglected the piano, and Mrs Kellogg, the doctor and the artist all seem- ed to have lost spirit The Bell crowd no- ticed that something was wrong, and be- gan to make remarks. The Hazletons be- came over sympathetic and asked what was the trouble. There was trouble enough. For three months there never was time when the syndicate could sell out that in- fernal cotton without a big loss. Finally Mrs. Kellogg broke down under the strain, and under questioning from her husband confessed the whole plot. Confession IS certainly good for the mind if not for the soul. No sooner had Mrs. Kellogg put the burden of her financial troubles on MT. Kellogg's shoulders than her old light heartedness returned Miss Byron meet ing her one day, was surprised to see her so cheerful. "Is the market up?" she ask ed. "No" said Mrs. Kellogg, but my spirits are. I have told MT Kellogg all about it." Thank heaven!" said Miss By ron; T never thought before how useful a business man was. I feel better myself" Miss Ridgeway, when told of the confess sion, expressed her approval. The artist and the doctor said they always did think the speculator was a damn fool, and vera glad that they could now get the advice of a good business man. Only the speculator was dispeased, and said that if he ever got out of this deal he never would tc yc.s enough to go into another with any women.
 Fortune favors some people whether they are brave or not It never was known whether Mir Kellogg was brave. but 1t is a fact that soon after he took control of the syndicate's finances the market began to improve. In about ten days it had al- most reached the price at which the cotton had been bought by the speculator. Under MT. Kelloggs advice the syndicate agreed to sell out, and the cotton was sold at a loss of only $100 A meeting was held at Mrs. Kellogg's, and MT. Kellogg made his
 
 largely instrumental in the speculation, he said, and as they had sustained a small loss while acting under his advice, he would insist on making good the loss him. self, especially as he was able to do so, and really after all it was his wife who was standing the loss, as he had just made $10O in little speculation himself which he had intended to give her. Everybody pro- tested, but MT. Kellogg was firm, and the syndicate's money was restored The facts were never learned y the Hazletons, the Bells or Aunt Mary
 Now promise me, my dear" said MT. Kellogg, when the meeting was over and the guests departed. that you will never again try to build castle in Spain"
 Mrs. Kellogg promised.
 After this none of the syndicate ever re- ferred to MT. Kellogg as Mrs. Kellogs's s husband F. H. M.