The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

or hours-and the first locaters there were
to get the lots for nothing, provided they
built on them at once. Then the other lots
were put on the market and sold like not
cakes.
We'll, Prolup was the president Of that
company He was the secretary and
treasurer, too, and, in fact, the whole thing
There wasn't any company but PICKUP,
and he had done the whole thing on wind.
He started with nothing but an option
on the lake front land, and talked the hotel
keeper who was boarding him on credit
into putting up what money was needed
for actual running expenses. They made n
bundle out of that, and it was a good thing,
too, The town actually profited by, ii,
and the suburb they put through il the best
section OF the city to-day.
"Prokup must have had in the neighbor-
hood of quarter OF n million clean when he
got out of that, and thought that he would
settle down there and enjoy it. But guess
it takes more than that to keep him going
very long.
al can't imagine what he does with it.,
He hasn't any family except his wife, and
they never have seemed to be eXtravagant
people. They don't go in for expensive
sports or high flights of any sort. He
always he'd as good house as the next one
run in good style, but that wouldn't bust a
millionaire oftener than once in four or
five years. | should think.
But Prokup never seemed able to hold
on. | suppose that is the way with all pro-
motors. As soon as they make big thing
out of other peoples money they try to 90
i, again with their own and fail. | don I
know what Prokup got into with his sub
urban profits, but II was something that
was no good
ut was a couple Of years before heard
of him again, and then one of the boys met
him at ST. Louis when they were down
there for convention. He was standing
in saloon waiting for some one TO ask him
TO have drink He was clear down ON his
uppers and his clothes looked as if they had
been worn for three years. His coat was
40 shiny you could almost soc your face in
il. and his hat had been rained on 40 often
that it had turned green.
As soon az he saw our boys come IN he
sneaked out and they didn't get a chance
TO talk with him, so didn't find out anything
about what had happened. That was only
a few years ago
Now look al him Anybody in this town
seeing Prokup go along would take him for
one Of he prosperous. substantial men of
the city, and although he is not a New
Yorker he certainly is ono of tho solid men
of the State.
Il never heard how he got started again,
and don't know whether the cereal he makes
il his own invention or some other fellow $,
hut they certainly are selling il by the car
load and can hardly make il fast enough,
They have enormous fact cries and employ
a great many hands, and their stock is not
on the market. You couldn't buy a dollar 8
worth of il to-day, and it pays bigger divi.
dends than Chemical Bank or Standard
Oil
This thing has been goirg on now long
enough so that Prokup must have cleaned
up more than million out of ii. for the
profits of the cereal business, YOU know,
are not reckoned in two fg ire percentages,
| hear he is lust he same o!u Prokup tho' gh,
quiet and dignited. nevermakirg spluige.
Has fine house in the city where his factory
is, and keeps some good horses and travels
in good society. but that's all
You wouldn't take that man We met for
such a world beater, would you? But tell
YOU that if had a scheme to be put through
that had money in it, but needed a good
deal of boosting at the start, there isn't a
man in the United States I'd try harder to
get interested in it than that same Prokup,
He's a wonder, sure.