Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-11
(coPuigh', By The casseii Pubiishlas @ }
CHAPTER /.

N4Nt-N-f efNaNN HNAENAs n4AnEko anu UIOhr
ers. contained on the morning Of Fri
day, June Is. 1857. a group OF anxious
and excited men. whose conversation
plainly Indicated that their uneasiness
was caused by the continued and unex-
planned absence OF Paul North. the
senior partner.
In State street circles North &
Stacanouse were classed among the
-'plunEers." For the nrst two years Of
the firms existence. indeed. there had
been but slight departure from the
conservative policy followed by MT
North. who. when in the brokerage
business on his own account. had been
content with a modest ofHce in com
paratively quiet street leading east
ward from Post Office square.
But. under the lead OF Mr. Stack
house-an energetic man Of 40. ten
years his partners junior-banking
had been added 60 brokerage: and the
firm had become widely known as the
promoter of many daring enterprises.
Nicaragua Midland was a speciality
with North & Stackhouse. In season
and out of season Nicaragua Midland
had been doomed" with a persisteucy
that caused some OF the older marnates
OF "the street 20 shake their heads
ominously, but which had attracted.
nevertheless. the admiration and co
operation OF a multitude OF people.
Not all who invested their earnings
under the advice Of North q Stack
house had &c is true. found the ven
ture profitable.
Twelve days previous TO this June
morning I'm 1852 a curious letter. i'm an
unknown hand had been laid on SIR
North's desk. The writing was an odd
sort Of scrawl. uncertain in its lines.
but legible enough. This was the
missive:
My Dear Sir: am q desperate man
ruined by your manipulation Of the prop
erty entrusted Co your hands. ] must have
money enough Co begin ufc acain only
ask for Ntt.c back out OF all YOU robbed
me OF. but tfat nttie 2 must have There
is only one thing fcr SOU 90 do. Draw a
check. for one thousand dollars. payable
10 bearer. ard enclose it addressed 90 me
at the post office. Boston ~ SOU faT BOZ
this swear to shoot you down as ] would
mad Dos ~ you are wise. you will NOT
refer this matter Co. trc police That act
would o. your death warrant
DANIEL STICK NET'
Paul North. To whom personally this
threatening letter was addressed. had
consulted his partner in some little
uneasiness OF mind.
Its all nonsense" Mr.. Stackhouse
had said, confidently. "A mere prac-
tical joke OF some broker who wants
20 brighten YOU. a few OF them were
nipped ia the last turn OF the market
IN our favor you know. and perhaps
FnnV hold ].
sponsible. But f the matter dlsturbs
you al all. why turn the letter over
40 the police They'll attend 10 IT,
We must look after Nicaragua Mid
land very sharply this week North
and have no time 90 bother our heads
about trihes."
Nevertheless Mr. North had troubled
himself about the matter sufficiently
60 put the letter into the hands OF
Inspector Applebee for such action as
seemed proper.
Upon the advice OF that quietly eff
hcient parsonage a decoy letter had
been written by Mr.. North, inclosiAg
a check for $1,000 payable 10 bearer
An officer. In citizens clothes. had
been stationed on duty constantly at
the post Office. but no Daniel Stiokney
had called for the letter addressed to
his name.
As precaution against any possible
oversight payment OF the check had
been stopped AT the bank. a precaution
which thus far had proved equally
useless
Just as I told you. Stackhouse had
said 10 his partner after few days
"A brokers' practical joke"
The letter soon passed out OF mind.
FOR business cares weighed heavily on
both partners.
So absorbed and anxious had Mr..
North become that he could talk and
think OF little except the market and
fits prospects.
Was it altogether on the subject Of
Nicaragua Midland that he had held
conference late in the afternoon OF the
18th of June. with one OF the chief in
Vestors. though not a director. in the
Nicaragua Midland-Mr Richard Fet-
ridge?
Whether or not. the interview had
not been finished at the Office. for the
two men had been seen 20 walk away
together, st4I talking earnestly.
The junior partner had left the Office
hours before, Outwardly calm What
ever his forebodings may have been.
Thornton Stackhouse was not the man
20 allow his troubles 10 snow them
elves in look or manner.
Paul North was the father-in-law Of
his business associate. and Thornton
Stackhouse made his home in sum
mer time at Mr.. Norths spacious villa
at Swampscott. from whose broad win
dows the occupants enjoyed an exhil-
arating prospect OF the sail-fecked
ocean
At ten O'Clock in the morning OF this
Friday. the 10th OF June. the directors
of Nicaragua Midland had assembled.
pursuant 10 call. in lie ofice OF North
& Stackhouse. Half an hour later every
face wore a look Of anxious expecta-
tion.
Il don't understand il at all" ex-
claimed Stackbouse. nervously walk
ing m and down North Is the most