Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-09-14
fresh ways and means to earn yra00o

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: mites was not far remote Ten big
dinner parties and a 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 APP
parently harmless taunt and Mrs.
Dams open criticism told plainly
enough how the wind was blowing. but
it was Peggy's gentle questions that
cut the deepest There was such hon
est concern In her voice that he could
see how his profigacy was troubling
her and Mrs. Gray. In their eyes more
than in the others he felt ashamed and
Inundated. Finally, goaded by the re-
mark of bank director which he over
heard. Edwin p. Brewster is turning
handsprings in his grave over the way
be is going ii" 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 stealthily
watched the stock market and piled his
1 friends with questions about values
Constant reading and observation
finally convinced him that Lumber and
Fuel Common was the one stock In
which he could safely plunge Cast
Ing aside all apprehension. so far as
Swearengen Jones was concerned, he
prepared for what was to be his one
and only venture on the Stock Ex-
change before the Esd Of the following
September. With all the cunning and
craftiness Of a 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, Montyr cried the
broker. You're joking. Lumber is
away up now. 1t can't possibly go a
fraction of point higher. Take my
advice and don't touch it. 1t opened
today at 111a4 and closed at 109 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
"Gardy, I've gone into this thing !
carefully, and IL ever man felt sure
about anything / do about this" said
Monty decidedly, but affectionately.
Take my word for 1t, Lumber can't
go any higher. Think Of the situation.
The fumbermen In the north and west
are overstocked and there is a strike
ready to go into effect. When that
zones, the stock will go for song.
The slump is liable to begin any day."
my mind is made up" said the other
irmly, and Gardner was In despair.
viii you or will you not execute an
order for me at the opening tomorrow?
I'll start with 10000 shares. What
will it cost me to margin it for ten
)ointsr'
"At least hundred thousand, exclu-
i've of commission, which would be |
welve and half hundred shares"
Despite the most strenuous opposition
rom Gardner, Brewster adhered to his
esign, and the broker executed the or
Ter the next morning. He knew that
Brewster had but one chance to win,
nd that was to buy the stock in a
imp instead Of distributing 1t among
everai brokers and throughout the
ession. This was point that Monty
ad overlooked.
There had been little to excite the
'tock Exchange for some weeks; moth
ne was active, and the slightest furry
vas hailed as an event. Every one
new that the calm would be disturbed
{ some near day, but nobody looked
or sensation In Lumber and Fuel.
was foregone conclusion that a
lump was coming, and there was
carcely any trading in the stock.
When Elon Gardner, acting for Mont
emery Brewster, took 10000 shares at
OS% there was a mighty gasp on the
xchange, then rubbing of eyes, then
ommotion. Astonishment was follow
q by nervousness, and then came the
ruggle.
Brewster, confident that the stock
ouid go no higher and that sooner or
lter It must drop, calmly ordered his
orse for ride In the snow covered
ark Even though he knew the ven
ire was to be failure ia the ordinary
ense. he found Joy In the knowledge
lat he was doing something. He might Q
. a fool; he was at least no longer in
ctive. The feel Of the air was good
him. He was exhilaratcd by the :
litter Of the snow, the answering ex-
ltement Of his horse, the gayety and
parkie Of life about him.
Gar, n<uyhoro 20 10 ~ - M - II