Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-05-03
TELLIN& THE TRUTH

~ AIRY IANGLE1 was IN queer
/ street"-that was certain. As he took
his seat in first-cass smoker at Kingston
he reflected gloomily that he wouldn t make
tdat journey much oftener. After next set
ting day, he said to himself, ii will be a
penny tram from Hackney or Stamford Hid.
Il shall be jolly lucky if | can get Clerk
ship ii | am hammered on the exchange.
And there was no doubt that Larry Lang
ley was right about all this, and especially
about his chances OF getting a clerkship
Stock brQsing firms were pot looking for
men to fill positions OF clerks who had
proven their unfitness for work on the street
at even their own expense, and the chances
were very much against him when his own
feeble financial light should flicker and go
out, as it certainly would.
As he leaned back against the upholstered
cushions he tried to 60 over the different
firms with whom he might secure sltua-
ton, but among all that he could think OF
there was not one that promised success,
and the prospect did not put him in par
ticularly good humor.
Mr. Langley had been distinctly unfor
tunate during the last three months. The
foreign market had been in an unusually un-
easy condition. First the bulls and then the
bears had the advantage. The big firms who
could afford to hold stock over and wait
their time had done well, but the smaller
men had gone TO the wall. Mr.. Langley
thought of the pretty villa at Kingston
which must be sold; Of his boy who must be
taken away from Harrow; of his wife-but
the thought Of his pretty little wife living
in back street at Hackney was too much
for him. 1T doesn't bear thinking about, :"
he said to himself so he lit a cigar and re-
signed himself TO the soothing weed.
just then the train drew up at Tedding-
ton. A stout, bury, middle-aged gentleman
entered. Langley recognized him at once as
johnson, the leader Of the foreign market,
the multi millionaire, and the most I'M
scrupulous schemer in Europe. They knew
each other slightly. After a word or two
johnson retired behind the Times, and did
not emerge till they had nearly reached Wa
terloo.
He looked at Langley, who was gloomily
smoking, and then jerked out sharp ques-
ton.
'How's business"
Only $3.50; you big people take all the
cream of the market"
Nonsense. The markets the same for
every one; some of us have little more cap
ital, certainly; but with brains anyone can
make a fortune on the exchange. Now if,
for instance, anyone bought Bulgarians for
the rise, he would be absolutely certain to
feather his nest by next settling day. All,
here we are at Waterloo! Good morning,
Mr.. Langley"
Langley took hanson to the stock ex.
change. He wasn't much eheered by Mr.
Johnson's kindly tip. He knew too much
of johnson, and Johnson's friendly advice
Every one ON Change fought shy of John.
son. He was too subtle for them. johnson
was usually compared to Jay Gould, but, as
an acute observer on the exchange had
noted, there was more reliance to be placed
on Jay Gould than on johnson. The Ameri-
can millionaire had strong likes and dislikes
you might bs sgre he would Do bis best to
help friend or ruin an enemy, but John.
son went through the world pleasantly smil-
ing. lie had nice, open, John Bulhsh man
ner to every one. He had joke for every
ones ear and hand for every ones pocket
People had given up trying to account for
his movements. All they knew was that
every settling day Johnson's banking ac-
count grew larger.
All the morning Langley puzzled over
Johnson's advice, and finally decided to sub
NIT it to his particular friends at lunch
time.
The lunch at the Tiger restaurant was
nearly finished when Langley said to his
friends: BY the way, Lad 4 stra gilt tip
from old johnson to-day
There was a general laugh
.tWhat was it," sad ole Of the company
lie advised me to buy Bu'gariaus'
Then should advise YOU 10 sell" SAID
one.
And should advise you 10 leave them
alone, said another johnson u such
unique Iial tile only way S y gnore Inn
This advice didn make things much clear
er. Langley went back 10 the exchange, and
resolved to watch the market Blu gariaus
were weak, and were weakening still more
The bottom seemed 10 have dropped out Of
the market. Rumors Of revolution, Of for
eign interference, Of government misman
agement, few around.
Langley waited an hour and then said 10
himself: Hang it all, III follow tile old
frauds advice; at the worst, if ! am ruined
by II, he might give me good position as a
clerk in his office"
He stepped into the foreign market aid
began to buy steadily. The stock continued
to fall. Every one was selling, and Lang
ley's buying didn't seem to steady the mar
ket in the least.
For two days this went on. Langley grew
glocmier and gloomier every day as he con-
tempiated the frghtful crash his bankruptcy
would make. There were only three days
more to settling day, but Bulga Fians still fell
steadily. The last day, however, be had no
ticed another small broker apparently on
the same tack as himsef. TITS lucky" said
Langley to himself. There will be another
shap in it. The scandal of bankruptcy
woo's be so bad if two 60 together"
The dag before settEng-day arrived. Bu.
gsfians we're stn a drug Langley bought
more and moro in desperation At last, 40
the afferuooo was drawing to a dose, he
heard a shout from a broker who wusrstand-
ing by the tape. A crowd gathered, aud IN a |
moment the foreign market rang with cries
Tor Bulgarian stock.
Langley, half daEed, dragged himself to |
the tape and there saw st. Petersburg
telegram: ''The Russian government has de- |
srdpn 70 fha pY1En