Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-09-21
CHAPTER XXI.


\ mics to regard him in new light.
His profit had been quite small as
things go ON the exchange in these
days. The mere fact that he had
shown such foresight proved sufficient
cause for the reversal of opinion. Men
looked at him with new interest in
their eyes, with fresh confidence. His
unfortunate operations in the stock
market had restored him to favor in
all circles. The man, young or old,
who could do what he had done with
Lumber and Fuel well deserved the
new promises that were being made
for him.
Brewster bobbed uncertainty between
two emotions, elation and distress. He
had achieved two kinds Of success, the
desired and the undesired. 1t was but
natural that he should feel proud OF
the distinction the venture had brought
to him on one hand, but there was rea-
son for despair over the acquisition OF
$4,000 1t made 1t necessary for him
to undertake an almost superhuman
feat-increase the number of his Janu-
airy bills. The plans for the ensuing
spring and summer were dimly getting
into shape. and they covered many
startling projects. Since conhding
some OF them to Hopper Harrison that
gentleman had worn a never decreasing
look Of worry and anxiety in his eyes.
Rawles added to his despair day or
two after the Stock Exchange misfor-
tune. He brought up the information
that six splendid little puppies had
come to bless his Boston terrier family,
and Joe Bragdon, who was present, en-
Enthusiastically predicted that he could
get 500 apiece for them. Brewster
loved dogs, yet for one single horrible
moment he longed to massacre the
helpless little creatures. But the old
hurried out with Bragdon to inspect
the brood
"And I've either got to sell them or
kill Them" he groaned. Later on he In
structed Bragdon to sell the pups for
SOS apiece and went away, ashamed to
look their proud mother In the face.
Fortune smiled on him before the
day was over, however. He took Sub
way Smith for ride In the green
tuggernaut," bad weather and bad
roads Notwithstanding Monty lost con-
troll Of the machine and headed for a
subway excavation, He and Smith
saved themselves by leaping to the
pavement. sustaining slight bruises,
but the great machine crashed through
the barricade and dropped to the bot
tom Of the trench far below. To
Smiths grief and Brewster's delight
the automobile was hopelessly ruined,
q clear loss Of many thousands. Mon
tvs Joy was short lived, for 1t was
soon learned that three luckless work
men down in the depths had been bad
~ injured by the green meteor from
above. The mere fact that Brewster
could ind did pay literally for the re-
lief OF the poor fellows afforded him
little consolation. His carelessness
and possibly his indifference had
brought suffering to these men and
their families. which was not pleasant
to look back upon. Lawsuits were
avoided by compromise. Each Of the
injured men received $4,000.
At this time every one was interested
In the charity bazaar at the Astoria.
Society was on exhibition, and the pub
lie paid for the privilege Of gazing at
the men and women whose names
Allied the society columns. Brewster
frequented the booth presided over by
Miss Drew, and there seemed to be