The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-11-28


of Penny's plan. At times there was
danger of this mock proceeding going up
in gale of laughter; but the immense
stake for which they played kept the ac-
tors in countenance.
II move that our brokers begin buying
H. D. & D. at the opening of trade to-
morrow, - said Penny.
The motion was seconded and carried
A director, reading his lines from his pa
per- desired to know if the present owner
ship Of the stock was known The presi-
dent, reading, replied that Lewis & Co.
had large block that could be had for a
fair price. Continuing, the president said:
If Tony does not anticipate us, we can
buy this of Lewis & Co. as low as forty"
Then the directors understood, and
hugged themselves in silent mirth. Bal
laine had placed the II. d. s. D.. stock
with Lewis & Co. and Tony, acting on his
''wireless, - which could hear perfectly,
but which had no eyes, would rush there
with his swarm to buy it.
The meeting adjourned according to the
written lines, and the members went each
to his own office Each rushed to his
ticker, and saw H. D. & D. dragging along
at forty. A few moments would tell the
story. If Wyatt were in possession Of the
truth, he would shun H. d. Il d. If he
had been trapped, then he and his friends,
who had made million the day before,
would rush in again convinced that they
were to make another.
Soon the tickers showed slight drops in
staple securities, and each director knew
that the jenkins brokers were selling as
directed Then came an offer of forty -one
for H. d & ID. by jenkins broker. Now
or never, thought each director, and al
most instantly the ticker awoke.
More heavy sales of gilt-edged securities
by the Jenkins brokers; more bids for I'll.
d. Il d. by President jenkins himself
Then H. D. & D. began to move Slowly
at tirst-for Wyatt had experienced diff
Guilty getting word to his friends-then by
jumps. Up and up, with Tony Wyatt
buying, and borrowing of his friends to buy
more Three o clock closed the comedy
with II. d. & D. at 275. jenkins & Co.
was rid of its elephant, and was avenged
on Tony Wyatt and on the curb to the
tune of million for the million lost, and
another million for punishment. Then the
board Of directors of jenkins & Co. Assem-
bled, each member jubilant over the work
of Ballaine and the president, and each
eager to hear Ballaine tell Tony Wyatt
over his own wireless how that truthful
wire had led to his downfall A telephone
message was sent to Tony Wyatt's office
to this effect, and Ballaine knew that Tony
would be listening at his wireless. A step
ladder stood against the big chimney. The
paper was torn from the hole, showing the
gaping, hungry megaphone therein.
When all were ready, Mr.. Ballaine,
hatchet in hand, mounted the ladder and
stood with his face close to the megaphone
"Good- afternoon, Mr.. Wyatt said
he. evil you kindly listen closely while
[ say something to the board of directors
of jenkins & Co?' A momentary silence
followed, and then the directors broke into
laughter They called Tony's name and
jeered at the megaphone as only members
of the Stock Exchange can jeer.
Gentlemen" began Ballaine, when
the hubbub subsided, ''this man Tony
Wyatt has punishment seldom visited
upon transgressor. 1t is the punishment
of realizing himself abjectly beaten by men
on whose superior minds he has pirated
| but who have at last beaten him as he de-
serves. Vain of his success as thief, he
| has boasted of his fanced security. Care
less through long fatness, he has fallen in
to the first trap we have set for him. He
learns from my lips now for the first time
that our meeting of this morning was trap
to catch him and his swarm of curbstone
vultures He learns now that jenkins &
Co.-'The jerks, Tony, my boy!-own-
ed every share of the H. d. & D. that he
and his associates bought today. He has
taken off our hands railroad for which
we had no use. He has today paid us
back two millions for the one his wireless
wire cost us yesterday.
''Gentlemen, Tony Wyatt sits at the
other end of this telephone. He is listen
ing spellbound to these words that are a
horror to him. He can not cease listening,
for this telephone has become his life
When | strike this sensitive diaphragm
with this hatchet, L strike Tony wyatt
death blow. He is discovered He is pen
niless. -
Raising the hatchet the attorney shat
tered the megaphone. Striking again, he
crushed the quivering life-like diaphragm
of the telephone. Then he drew the in
strument into the room, cut the wires that
hung to it, and descended to the floor with
it in his hands.
A man in nearby Office dropped tel
ephone receiver from his ear and sat rigid.
His eyes stared straight before him. The
cigar between his lips lost its fire. Tele-
phones rang, but stirred him not Men
kpockad at his door hut ba hoard not