Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-05

Mr. George Washington Biddle was a con-
scientious young man. He had had great
Ambitions but these were lost sight or IN
the fact that he supported his sister, his
widowed mother and his maiden aunt, and
at intervals other members of family
which had ever been. and ever would De-
genteeIy poverty-strcken. SO young MI
Biddle pegged away at his job in the me-
tropolis.
But locked in his bosom was a tremen-
dous secret. He had taken little hyer
down upon the street.. He had put up just
SO much margin. saved by 1udlclous
avoidance of lunch counters for several
months, and had placed the small amount IN
the care of a discretionary broker Mr.
Biddle was not the only individual who was
taking flyer on Wall street just at that
time The rush was for Consolidated AS
usual, the crash occurred just at the unex-
pected time. Consolidated went down as
though it would never stop. Young MIR. Bid
die sighed deeply. This should be his first
and last experience. He had lost ana IL
had served him right.
At this juncture he received a letter from
his broker. 1t requested him to call. He
called, assuming that 1t was a demand for
more margin, or, what was worse, de-
mand for a loss-a loss that he could never
pay The broker saw him as he entered
stepped over to clerk, and came toward
Mr.. Biddle waving narrow strip OF paper
In his hand as he came. .
You are one of the lucky few, Biddle,'
he remarked, as he passed the paper over
1t was q chick to the order of George Wash
ington Biddle for just $500. Biddle nearly
tainted.
But l thought" he gasped. that you
bought Consolidated. You-you told me you
would" The broker grinned. Il did-first.
enough to sell. And there you are. Come
In again Mr.. George Washington Biddle
thought in his heart of hearts. that 1t was
just possible that he might come in again.
But not just now. He would wait awhile.
All this happened about the first part or
December. Mr.. George Washington Biddle
made up his mind that 1t would not do to
tell his mother or his sister or his aunt of
this stroke of luck. Christmas was APP
preaching. Mr.. Biddle had always yearned
to celebrate Christmas after a most lux
uriant fashion. Here was his opportunity.
He would secrete this $500 until Christmas
time; then he would lavish on his family
and friends a host of presents which would
be the real thing and no mistake. And he
would blow the whole crowd off to a dinner
in New York, and the theater on top Of
that. Then he might tell them about his
little flyer-they could forgive him then.
This Christmas. remarked Mr.. George
Washington BidGle to himself. will be a
Christmas that is Christmas and no mis-
take"
Mr. Biddle was only an atom among the
aggregation of people who contemplated
Christmas. Some of them contemplated 1t
with full hearts and empty purses; some
with full purses and empty hearts.
One of the many men who contemplated
II was a gentleman of the name of Strong
Arm Smith. Strong-Arm Smith, however,
albeit usually in funds, found himself pos
sessed of barely $50 with which to spend the
holidays.
And what's $50" muttered Strong-Arm
Smith. Ito a of means Ike me? I
need $500 If / need a cent. To work. to
work my boy. For Christmas is coming
and merry we'll be-"
Strong-Arm Smith is a man who is we'll
known IN New York and vicinity. Several
gentlemen are constantly on the lookout for
him. Even in winter. the climate of each
place was overwarm for Mr.. Smith. When
one place became too hot, he strolled on
toward the next. 1t was only a few days
before the holidays that his individual for
tune had dwindled to the aforementioned
sum of $50. And it was only few days be-
fore Christmas that he happened upon the
suburban city in which resided Mr.. George
Washington Biddle Mr.. Biddle's town was
quite a town. 1t had it's own department
store and was we'll equipped in every way.
From the time that Mr.. Biddle received
his check from his broker TO Just two days