The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-10-14

I BEFORE THE !
! HNO ROWSEY 1
|. Copyright, 1901, bD d. C. RotuSeB
Observation-Disclosures.

adornments one would like to buy for
a girl when you know you are head
over heels In debt and probably going
to remain so indefinitely is sheer nom
sense.
Presently he became aware that he
was not alone. A shadow cast by the
noontide sun showed the outlines of a
broad brimmed hat. a pair of equally
broad shoulders and an inartistically
big hand holding fast to yellow grip.
He edged away from the stranger. The
stranger drew closer.
"Guess they want a heap for those
things. Ell? Do you think they're real
diamonds?" the origin of the shadow
said impersonally.
Murdoch looked around and found
himself the only auditor. He glanced
quizzically at the speaker. then ut the
grip. The latter bore three initials and
the magic word wyoming"
That Interested him. He looked
again at the large features of the
stranger. Ordinarily he was opposed
to promiscuOus conversation, but Wy
oming- connected with Wyo-
ming-made him think Of his trip to
his chum's ranch. where he had eXpe-
rienced unadulterated western well
come. So he answered:
yes; they are the real stuff"
well. If some people / know of in
Wyoming were here and saw them.
guess they'd put bars on these win
dows." observed the other. who re-
joiced in the name of Bill Helmer.
But when Murdoch turned the con-
versation on Wyoming the stranger
became suspicious and reticent. He
had heard of gold brick" and saw
dust" games and the way well dressed
strangers would try to become ac-
quainted by talking of home. When
Murdoch asked him If he knew man
who lived on the next ranch he felt
sure this young exquisite was up to
something. But he was interested In
spite of himself.
There is no place like Wyoming"
declared Murdoch finally.
you are right there. Soon as l get
my business done here New York can't
hold me for a minute"
"In town on business, eh2 Perhaps
can help you" said Murdoch affably.
Hes one of 'em, but he'll get left
this trip" commented the stranger to
himself II amt on here to buy no
gold bricks nor sawdust nor nothing"
he said aloud. with a stern look. Il
am going to do little in that line my
self"
What, sell gold bricks in New
York?' queried Murdoch.
bet your boots! l got a block Of
stock-Northern Pacific 1t amt worth
more'n so cents ON the dollar out there.
Folks know too much about that road.
Dad got stuck with it; so did lot of
our people; so they put me up. after
the shearing was over. to sell 1t east,
where people amt likely to know so
much as we do" The westerner smiled.
He felt sure he had defined the situa-
ton pretty clearly.
Murdoch looked with half closed
eyes at the gem of a chatelaine-a lit
tie affair studded with diamonds. He
felt as if she was wearing 1t already.
"AhemI" he said cautiously. There
are always plenty of come ons' in
town. know where they make them"
The other looked trifle bewildered.
Fact is | am with a concern that
deals in them" Then his caution yield
ed to his excitement. Say. don't say
anything about that-or those things
and go back to your hotel-and. say,
try and stay there. I-Pll bring some
one up or I'll be up to buy them to-
day."
The other was about to ask a ques-
ton.
'I'il get you par value for that stuff.
Is that enoughT'
why, yes; more'n l expected. But.
say, young man, who are your
"Me-meT The son of Murdoch, the
millionaire banker. stood in shocked
surprise.
"Why, IL am Vanderbilt, Harri-
man. Hill, Gage and the whole bunch.
p He saw the uselessness of trying
to convince the incredulous westerner.
He turned away in disgust. 1t was
maddening. The little watch in the
window seemed four blocks away.
But this westerner followed him aft
er moment
Say. young man, may be mistak-
en-. Things amt the same here as In
f,sfA ~
Jimmie Walcott's that settles 1t. l am
stopping at the Vondome, and l won't
offer my stock today, and Wen see
ehT'
Murdoch nodded stiffiy. The little
watch nestled in his pocket He could
almost hear it tick.
Murdoch entered the Office Of the
syndicate manager. where he was fill
ing the nominal position of hoy" for
the nominal salary of IS weekly and a
vast fund of experience, worth thou
sands per minute.
The head of the bookkeeping depart
ment looked at the clock as he entered.
Half an hour late. Mr.. Murdoch
Too. busy buying stock or clipping your
fathers coupons. | suppose. to attend
to our trifiing affairs" The employ
ment of embryo millionaires In Office
positions tried Mr. Morris democratic
soul
why, yes-quite right How did
you guess it?' replied Murdoch. He
went to his desk and rolled back the
top.
The bookkeeper followed him with
a frown
"Ross bought any more Northern Pa
cifie today. Mr.. MorrisT' he asked
cheerfully.
Mr.. Morris rewarded him with a dig
nified stare from his four foot from
the ground perch and over the top of
his two inch collar, but did not reply.
He had made a persistent effort to In
duce the young man to speak more re-
"Dectfully of the head of the firm. Be
hdes. it was very bad taste to make
fun of the lack of Northern Pacific in
that Office.
Murdoch took the implied rebuke
philosophically and repeated the Ques-
ton.
Look here, young man. If you don't
stop trying to be funny you'll have to
hunt another job! Your jests. sir, are
very Ill timed! l am getting tired of
your airs"
His anger made his pen shake and q
big blot dropped upon the immaculate
page. He gasped and dug at it with
an eraser, forgetful of the very exist
ence of the boy"
Murdoch stood for a moment in
thought. Then he threw his head back
and walked slowly into the holy OF
holies, the private Office of the boss"
The boss looked up when the young
man entered, then turned to his work
quickly. He did not know half his en-
ployees. To him they were simply
parts of the machinery of which he