The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-06-15
A Board Of Trade Broker
STORY OF A LITTLE BIT OF
HEART

LOT months. DICK ftanSOme, WnOSt.
speciality was filling orders for
brokerage, had felt the dullness keen
ly. For a long time no luxuries had
been possible in his little home; in
deed, it took him all his time to pro-
vide it with the necessities of life.
The wheat market, which had BEEN
declining hopelessly for many week,
smashed two cents the previous day
He thought he saw evidences of
rally. 1t might not advance more thar
a cent or two and it might not last
but his intuition told him that an adj
vance was probable that day. He
went to a customer and advised him
to buy. The customer declined, but
authorized him to buy some "calls,"
good for the day-1O,OO0 at 771s, the
market for wheat being TIN.
The usual sellers of puts and calls"
being absent from their posts at the
moment, Dick thought he would await
their return. So he sat down beside
a white-haired old man we'll along in
the 70s The old man was trader in
a small way, as thin as a match,
nervous and weak, for he had been
out of hospital only few days after
no place for him. He had no home
and no income except the pittance
made from time to time through his
petty transactions.
Dick asked him idly what he
thought of the market.
Going lower" said the old man.
"Well," said Dick, 81 want to buy
10000 calls for to-day at 771k.'
Sold" said the old man.
Dick handed him ten dollars, and
the transaction to that extent was
completed.
A moment later there was a terrible
clannor. Traders rushed at one another
| like madmen. A hundred hands were
| in the air, a hundred voices shrieked
and implored. The great mass of fran
| tic men swayed hither and thither
Some one shrieked: There's no
wheat for sale!" The din increased.
| Suddenly a new figure appeared at
the edge of the pit and raised his hand.
Almost instantly the clamor ceased. In
a cool, clear voice, he said: ''I'll sell
| 10000 wheat at 49,
| There was a momentary gasp and
then a rush which almost carried him
III Ills lSCl. uC CldllOI was I0uSWcu.
Scores of voices shrieked: TN take
$4,000! "Fll take 1OO,OOO!" III take
25,0OO!"
The price rose to 79A, 79k. The
frantic demand was still unsatisfied
Their the gong rang and the session
was over.
Dick looked for the old nan and
found him in the same seat. But how
changed! His head was sunk on his
breast, his poor lips were trembling,
his moist eyes were fixed on vacancy,
and his long, thin white hair struggled
pathetically over his coat collar. Dick
touched his shoulder gently. The old
man started and stared at him and
made pitiful attempt at a smile.
Mr.. Clair he said, Il did not use
thu 10000 calls bought from you;
only wanted 10000, an order from a
customer, and find l got them on an
offer from another party, so if you'll
give me back the ten dollars, we'll
cross the deal and call it square"
The old man Strengthened himself
he was : - and Army man-and said:
You c>uld use them yourself and
make $500"
No." said Dick; Il haven't been
specializing lately and don't propose
beginning now. l can't speculate and
do my brokerage customers Justice
''All right" said the old man, and
his look of relief warmed Dicks heart.
That night, with his two-year-old
child on his lap, Dick related the cir
cImstances to his wife, of whose
he got through she exclaimed: DO you
mean to say that, had you held the
Oh man to his contract you would
have made for yourself 5000 without
running any risk?'
YES" said Dick, genially.
Her face hardened and then she
said. coldly: Il hate a fool!"
What do you mean?" asked Dick.
Don't you sympathize with the old
can?'
What do l care for him? l haven't
had a new dress for year. Winter
is coming on, baby needs warm
cloak and you need an overcoat. That
5000 would have supplied all our wants,
end now you have fooled it away.
Sympathy! 1 believe in looking out
for myself
At bedtime Dick bent over the little
girls crib. put his face close to hers
and whispered: Baby, darling, l could
not take the old mans money; his
poor face would have haunted me. Oh
baby dear, his feeble hands, his white
hair, his tremuious mouth, his pow
erty! Had you seen him, even you
would have understood. But, baby
and shall be warm
She opened her eyes, put her hand
Oh his face and said, drowsily: kiss
me, papa, turning her soft lips toward
him.
When his wife came in he said:
MY dear, I'll sleep on the side of the