The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-10

broker. What in blue blazes is broker,
anyhow
IA broker is a man who helps you go
broke, explained the clerk. L know several
big ones myself. but am too cautious and
nscientiouS to recommend anybody. L
have TO held my job. Just hunt one up in
the directory. They're about all alike, and
all good if you watch them as long as
they're awake: They never sleep
That's all right. son., replied the
colonel. I've fought Indians, and still wear
my own scalp.
THAT was good kindergarten practice.
but you'd better fasten in your hair with
glue, screws and clamps before you go
among the Wall-street Comanches. the
clerk warned him in parting. He hated to
see the colonel get hurt. Even a New
York hotel clerk has feelings of almost
''Wel. the next morning the colonel
hunted up broker. The one he happened
20 land on was one OF the KIND tnae
oil at every pore, you know-and when the
colonel pulled out wad of greenbacks
about the thickness of a stovepipe that
broker loved him like brother, such being
the only basis of brotherly love in the me-
tropolis.
Partner said the colonel. skinning a
500 bill off the roll 1 want to sit In your
game about century's worth to see how
l like it. L don't rightly know the rules,
but l guess I'll set the range after bit
and in the meantime just you take my stack
of blues and scatter them around over the
layout, regardless like. Anything goes, so
l don't get whipsaWed too much
" We hardly do business that way re-
marked the broker, with smile. 1 used
to play little faro myself, though
and
BY George. 1 thought 1 knew your
broke in the colonel. You're Shorty Cook
years ago for dealing short cards Play
faro little. l should say you did! Gimme
back that hundred and he snatched the
bill out of Mr.. Cooks fingers. Now dig up
he wv hundred
Why, Mister-Mister-' the broker
stammered
Dig up! commanded the colonel.
MIR. Cook dug up
Now. give me a play for this two hun
dred,' the colonel went on, and see that
l get a square deal If you stack the cards
on me like you used TO do I'll come around
here and muss up your place a whole lot.
No hard feelings, understand, but L want
you to hear me-.
II doi' hastily replied Mr.. Cook. L GER
tainly do. I'm too fat nowadays to pine
for violence and bloodshed. That's why L
gave up faro dealing and went into TINS
business. It's about the same, but II
promise to turn the box right for an old
friend like you. Now about this two nun
dred There's lot doing in the wheat pit
just now, but it's rather uncertain. Liable
TO jump up or down, you know, without
warning. and l don't know whether to adj
wise you to buy or SELL
That suits me clean down to the
hooks said the colonel I'll go right back
to the hotel and telephone you in half an
hour whether to play it straight or copper
the bet
And about the margin? inquired Mr..
Cook. Do you want it heavy or light?
L don't quite savy,' replied the colonel.
but Just you fix 1T so set an even break.
Win or lose the two hundred as soon after
the soda card as possible
All right said Mr.. Cook. I'll put
this UP on a 2-cent margin ard close on q
two point movement.
THE colonel agreed to this without ex-
PLANTATION, and went back to his hotel, leav-
ing his broker between a sweat and chill.
He was afraid the colonel would lose his
money that a gun shop sign across the
street made him nervous. and he had to
pull down the blinds. Within the half hour
he got a telephone message from the
colonel. telling him TO buy.
II don't know about that said Mr..
Cook: I've just got report that indicates
the probability OF pretty good crop and
L would advise you to SELL
- To the fiery future with your report!
roared the colonel. You buy. for me-
Mr.. Cook bought and within two hours
cents. III never was so glad 10 close deal
in his life. and there We're almost tears OF
joy in his eyes as he telephoned the colonel
that his two hundred dollars was now
four hundred, clear of commissions.
I" Good boy, Shorty replied the colonel
I'll just parley that bet till 1 get enough.
I'll telephone you in a few minutes which
way to place the money.
80 Great blooming cactusr groaned Mr.
Cook while the perspiration jumped out on
his forehead. I'll have this man on my
hands now till he goes broke and then IL
have to hide. Why, oh. why did / ever deal
crooked faro in Mescal City?
But he need not have worried. The
colonel seemed to have the most accurate
knowledge of the wheat market of any
lamb that ever gamboled and gambled in
the city of bunco men, He never hest
tated, he never made a mistake-and he
never drew down a cent. He just doubled
il over and over-S400. $780, s., 600, 200. &c.
400. Sl2.s0O, SIS, 1000. $4,000. s100.Oco-and fat
Mr.. Cook losing. flesh every day.
You he was bound to be distressed
whichever way the market moved. Morn
ing noon and night he dreaded the time &c
come when the colonel's narrow margin
would be wiped out by an unfortunate turn
of the market. and the colonel had a habit
of coming around every day and looking
at him in Way that fairly fried the lard