The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-28
A STOCK BROKERS' JOKE.
Fifty Dollars Paid for the NOn-shin-
ing of One shoe.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
When Long Branch was not spread
out as it is now, and the shore line of
hotels and cottages were not as close
" woven, the steamboat trip from the
rickety long pier at Port Monmouth
was a good starter for a day in the
city with such men as Addison Cam
mack. Harry Cambios, Orlando w.
Joselyn, Charles Devlin, Hugh Has
tings, Billy" Henriques, John Hoey
and others. The Wall-street men
chose the forward deck, each with his
own camp chair. and the bootblack OF
the boat, bright-faced little Dick, was
a favorite.
Money was easy and spirits were
generous, and it was always a quar-
ter, sometimes a half-dollar. for a
shine, without the boys asking for It,
and Dick was on good terms with the
world and with his customers.
One day a broker who has since
counted his millions had one foot on
the box. Tick had finished one shoe,
and the other foot was just being
brushed clear of dust, when Josely
quietly said:
Give you a dollar not to black It,.
Dick!"
The boy hesltated There was an
all-around laugh, and the broker said.
In a quiet voice: 1.-TWO dollars to
black 1t. Dick"
"Five dollars. no black" came from
the edge Of the circle OF chairs.
Dick looked up. and was about to
put on the backing. and then, at the
cry of mo blackl" stopped.
"Ten dollars, Dick" said the one
shoe BACKED broker. What do you do
with your money, boy?'
Give II TO my mother, sir!"
Fifteen dollars, no black. Your
mother wants the money. Dick!" again
from the outer circle.
Then competition ran high. A new
source of merr!ment had broken out,
and the broker with his foot on the box
saw the offer and went IS better. 1t
was a miniature stock-board scene for
a few minutes The offers 70 black
and not to black ran up till $45 was bid
to black the shoe.
Fifty dollars for your mother. Dick!
Don't black IL! Don't black it," came
in subdued voice, and the lad seemed
nervous, II not frightened.
'Get the money, Dick" said the bro
ker. still holding his foot on the box;
then. standing up and pointing to the
last speaker, Hand IL over"
The money was forthcoming; Dick
took IL, slowed 1t away in his pocket,
and the man with the unblacked shoe
stopped low, got on one knee. and be-
gan TO black his own shoe. He made
a good job Of 1t, and, refusing offers
to black other brokers' boots, tossed
box brushes and backing into the bay
But this wasn't the end of It, Every
man in the crowd was a speculator.
Many a share of stock was bargained
for during the morning trips. and the
victor in the joke asked Dick for the
money. Dick hesitated. then slowly
handed It over. and in whimpering
voice said: II thought you was in
earnest"
Never mind the earnest, Dick"
said Cammack. "I'll put II into stock
for your mother. It's a margin to sell
on
But / haven't any stock.and don't
want any. You can't sell what you
haven't got. mister. can your"
The query was a poser. Cammack
offered fifty shares OF an active stock
to any one that would take IL. A hand
up from another Spectator closed the
deal, and the transaction FOR the ac-
count OF Dick" was closed out by COW
ering at a profit next day. and 800 In
gold found its way 10 Dicks mother.