Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24

was engaged. It seemed to him that.
plan az no might. he could not devise
fresh ways and means to earn $4,000
q day. He was still comfortably ahead
In he race, but a famine In opportu-
mites was not far remote Ten big
dinner parties and string of elaborate
after the play suppers maintained a
fair but insufficient average. and he
could see that the time was ripe for
radical measures. He could not go on
forever with his dinners. People were
already beginning to refer to the fact
that he was warming his toes on the
social register, and he had no desire to
become the laughingstock Of the town.
The few sighting. sarcastic remarks
about his business ability. chiefly BY
women and therefore reflected from
the men, hurt him. Miss Drew's ap-
parently harmless taunt and Mrs.
Dams open criticism told plainly
enough how the wind was blowing. but
II was Peggy's gentle questions that
cut the deepest. There was such hon.
est concern In her voice that he could
see how his profligacy was troubling
her and Mrs Gray. In their eyes more
than in the others he felt ashamed and
Inundated. Finally. soaded by the re-
mark Of bank director which he over.
heard. Edwin r. Brewster is turning
handsprinss In his grave over the way
he is going It," Monty resolved to re-
deem himself in the eyes Of his critics.
He would show them that his brain
was not wholly given over TO frivolity.
With this project in mind he decided
to cause little excitement in Wall
street. For some days he stealthiy
watched the stock market and piled his
friends with questions about values.
Constant reading ana observation
finally convinced him that Lumber and
Fuel Common was the one stock in
which he could safely plunge. Cast
ing aside all apprehension. 80 far as
Swearengcn Jones was concerned, he
prepared for what was to be his one
and only venture on the Stock Ex-
change before the Odd Of the following
September. With all the cunning and
craftiness Of general he laid his plans
for the attack. Gardeners face was the
picture Of despair when Brewster ask
cd him to buy heavily in Lumber and
Fuel.
Good heavens. Montyv cried the
broker. You're Joking Lumber Is
away up now. It can't possibly 90
traction or point nlgner. Take my
advice and don't touch it. 1t opened
today at l11A and closed at 100 Why.
man. you're crazy to think about it for
an instant"
IL know my business, Gardner"
said Brewster quietly. and his con.
science smote him when he saw the
flush of modification creep into the
face of his friend. The rebuke had cut
Gardner to the quick.
But, Monty. know what I'm talk
ing about. At least let me tell you
something about this stock" pleaded
Elon loyalty despite the wound.
"GardN I've gone into this thing
carefully, and if ever man felt sure
about anything do about this" said
Monty decidedly. but affectionately.
Take my word for 1t. Lumber can't
20 any higher. Think Of the situation.
The lumbermen in the north aud west
are overstocked. and there is a strike
ready to 20 into effect. When that
comes. the stock will go for a song.
The slump is liable to begin any day"
my mind Is made up" said the other
firmly. and Gardner was in despair
evil You or will you not execute an
order for me at the opening tomorrow?
III start with 10000 shares. What
will it cost me to margin 1t for ten
points,"
"At least hundred thousand, exclu-
sive of commission, which would be
twelve and half hundred shares"
Despite the most strenuous opposition
from Gardner. Brewster adhered to his
design, and the broker executed the or
der the next morning. He knew that
Brewster had but one chance to win,
and that was to buy the stock in a
lump instead of distributing it among
several brokers and throughout the
session. This was a point that Monty
had overlooked.
There had been little to excite the
Stock Exchange for some weeks; moth
ing was active. and the slightest furry
was hailed us an event. Every one
knew that the calm would be disturbed
at some near day. but nobody looked
for a sensation In Lumber and Fuel
1t was a foregone conclusion that a
slump was coming. and there was
scarcely any trading in the stock
When Elon Gardner. acting for Mont
gomery Brewster, took 10000 shares al
1883 there was mighty gasp on the
exchange, then a rubbing Of eyes, then
commotion. Astonishment was follow
ed by nervousness, and then came the
struggle.
Brewster. confident that the stock
could go no higher and that sooner o,
later 1t must drop. calmly ordered his
horse for ride IN the snow covered
park. Even though he knew the ven
ture was to be failure In the ordinary
sense, be found JOY in the knowledge
that he was doing something. He might
be fool; he was at least no longer In
active. The feel Of the air was good
to him. He was exhilaratcd by til.
glitter Of the snow. the answering ex
element Of his horse, the gayety ant
sparkle Of life about him.
Somewhere far back in his inner sell
there seemed to he the sound Of cheer
ing and the clapping Of hands. Short