The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-21
GcOpgrisht. l'os, BY Frederick A Stokes q CO
Continued from page g.
CHAPTER ".

II was past three o'clock in the
afternoon. The ticker in Trundell,
Croyden & Co.'S Offices had clicked
and whirred its final quotations,
spelled goodnight" made a trial OF
its alphabet for morning uses and
stopped. The customers room with its
| light blue haze of tobacco smoke
seemed to take on a different aspect
The moment the ticker ceased talking,
inst as the familiar surroundings
IF the ocean liner seem to change
IS soon as the tireless screw stops
turning. The well-dressed. cheer
full watcher of quotations tore
leaf from his pad re-
marked to the nearest customer that
the close looked mighty well for the
opening tomorrow and passed into
he clerical department Mr.. Croydon
smere ed from his private room and
spoke a few words to each customer,
whispering earnestly with one, looking
Town on the floor or out of the VIM
low while another spoke to him, lis
tening with the air which says, go
IN, old mani I'm drinking in every
word you say, but don't want to let
The others know how important J
think it." But if the communication
lasted too long, Mr. Croydon would
turn suddenly, place hand on the
speakers shoulder and say: BY Jove,
think you're right! ! want TO talk
With you about that tomorrow" and
this would be accompanied by look
which would send the customer of
convinced of having made a decided
impression upon Cornelius Croydon.
One by one the customers driftcd
away until Mr. Croydon was alone
Then he lit a cigarette and moved to
the window, out of which he stared
1ne :not on the cushioned window
seat, has elbow perched on his hent
knee and his IN resting on his hand
Mr.. Croyd, never seemed to be
3Esy. But ~ customers who made
his obserYetir n were not to blame
or their er".'f. The junior partners
york was done mainly after they left
That the most important business OF
Wall street is transacted after the
ticker ceases is something which GUS
omers never seem to grasp. Perhaps
f they did they might cease to be
customers.
Thus Mr.. Croydon, staring out of
he window at the marble wall across
he narrow street, was merely taking
4 short recess before beginning the
real work of the day.
Come along, Neil. He's here"
Croyden turned and saw Mr.. Trun-
iell standing at the threshold of his
Office, his hand on the door
1nob. The junior partner tossed his
cigarette aside and entered the elder
mans room.
The personality of the owner of
his room was in entire harmony with
is general air of luxury Mr.. Richard
rrundell was a man about so years
Vt age, full-blooded and a trifie port |
y. Had he not carried himself so well |
Ind dressed with such care, nothing
.ould have saved him from being con- |
idered fat His face was typical of
high living, and the little tell-talc |
Jacks under his eyes gave him a sleepy |
md sometimes a heavy look.
But those who had seen the gen.
leman clean-shaven never trusted him
implicitly or traded long on his sleepy
ook. Without his mustache Mr.. Trun-
lell showed a mouth as cruel and hard
Is any ever seen in human face. 1t
vas a large mouth with thin lips
lrawn tightly across the teeth and cor
lers drOoping-a sneering. sensual,
lnimal mouth, which laughter only
made savage and anger brutal. Every
eature of the mans face was in har-
nony with his mouth, but Mr. Trun-
lells lip was seldom shaved.
Croydon, seeing no visitor In the
DOM, looked inquiringly at his part.
Ter.
Mr.. Trundell settled himself before
he. fire with his back to the blaze,
pread his legs apart, and answered
he unspoken question by jerking his
read toward the private hall. Croydon
lodded comprehendingly.
Are we to 20 into this thing. Dick?"
le asked In low voice.
II haven't fully worked 1t out yet"
well, what stand are we to take?"
That's just what | wanted to talk
With you about rather think it's
'etter and bigger thing than appears
It first sight, but there may be hitch
omewhere. You know the general
cheme. but draw him out until we
lave all the particulars. Don't let him
'et away and don't commit us to any
hing. By Friday or Saturday I'll
ave worked out whether it's good for
title, nothing, or much. I think you'd
'etter go now and come back in about
en- minutes -accidental-like. II
Ie thinks we've been consulting, he'll