The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-12-21

has very little for ne to do. am
really not needed there at all bur
Nh Blossom is aristocratic and wants
TO have private secretary" Then
she added in different tone Of
voice, The truth is that my position
was created for me personally. !,
nave What some persons denominate
a pull with the powers that be-
Toward the latter part OF the even
lrg she seemed suddenly 10 have
thought OF something.
BY the way" said she. Il was near
forgetting question | wished to ask
OF you. Your stockbroking business
is sealed book to me- and am eaee~
10 learn something about it, | have
heen reading good deal in the pa
perS OF late about D.. K & E.. stock.
and what the bulls and bears are do
Ing with 1t. There seems to be great
interest manifested in that stock, and
| wish you would explain to me what
it means"
II happened that just at that tine
| ID, * & E. occupied a peculiar DO
| sltion III the market. 1t was being
manipulated by rival factions in such
manner as 10 render its future more
than ordinarily uncertain. Further
more there was a wheel within
| wheel, ID, +. & E." beng merely
| speculative centre, around which re-
VOWED interests more important still.
| The fight going on between the heaJy
operators was being participated in By
| many small investors; and, inasmuch
as shreWd men with long pocketbooks
were pitted against one another, the
result would necessarily be that some
wealthy operators would lose their
| fortunes, while the little fellows WHO
| happened to be on the winning side
would be rewarded in proportion to
| the size Of their investments. 1t is
| more or less that way in all stock
| deals, but this one was of so stup2n-
dous character as to Outclass most
of those that had preceded it.
| knew very little about the inner
nation | possessed was entirely at
-llss Thompson's service. She ex-
pressed herself as delighted with my
imperfect explanation, and l was SO
well pleased at finding that | could
interest her, that determined to learn
all could about ID, X & E." for
her ediication.
The chief clerk in our Office was an
approachable fellow, and he seemed to
have taken liking to me. His name
was Fenton. MI. Fisk had asked him
to help me all he could, that | might
gain rapid insight into the business
Now. with my mind full Of d., X. &
E." l applied to Fenton for informa-
ton. He seemed pleased with my
thirst for knowledge, and gratified 1t
to the extent of his power. Every
particle Of fact or premise thus OBJ
tanned was passed over to Miss
Thompson. We met frequently; | be-
came a regular visitor at her home.
and notes were exchanged by us across
across the court. She had completely
e,islaved me, so that I was wondering
how soon l might, with consistency.
ask her to become my wife. On ac-
count of the low condition of my finan-
ces, l dared not yet broach the sub
iect. Hence, nothing in the nature
CT love making was INDUCED in.
though | was eager to advance beyond
the stage Of friendships, and she
seemed willing to acqJicsce.
Matters went on in this way for
some weeks We called one another
Ethel and Henry This departure
from orthodox formality had been TAX
en- at her suggestion.
1--WE know each other so well now"
she had said to me, that we may as
we'll make use of Our Christian names.
It will seem more friendly You are
acting in the capacity OF brother to
me; and you know" she added arch
ly, that | stand ready to be a sister
TO you
However much l objected, privately,
to the manner in which the privilege
vas granted, the concession itself was
delightful. for it seemed to draw me
closer TO her.
One morning Fenton appeared to be
excited over something.
Il tell you what. Walton" he said
10 me, I'm in devil of quandary.
I've just had glorious tip on your
favorita stock, D., X. & E. but can
rot see my way to lake advantage OF
it. If only had from $1,000 to $4,000
lust now, l could make a lucky strike
"Would you mind telling me about
it," | asked, in as calm voice as
could command.
Certainly | will tell you," Fenton
replied. "Of course you won't breathe
it to soul" q made no reply to this
observation). Il have it ON the best
Of authority that d., X. & e. is to
be heavily unloaded tomorrow-pushed
aown to zero, in fact. The holders
who cannot put up margins will be
forced to sell out Under ordinary cir
cnmstances, you know, this would
mean that it was time to get from un-
der: but in this case the man who has
any d.. X. & E. stock would better
hang on to it. If he has none. he