The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-25

waning OI LIS dllcCllOl, DuL 10 Tue
very unromantic business in which he
was engaged. It seemed to him that.
plan as he might, he could not devise
fresh ways and means to earn $4,000
a day. He was still comfortably ahead
in the race, but famine in opportu
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 so 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
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
humiliated Finally. goaded by the re-
mark of 4 bank director which he over
heard. edwin P. Brewster is turning
handsprings 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 be decided
to cause a little excitement in Wall
street. For some days he stealthily
watched the stock market and Piled his
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 23d Of the following
September. With all the cunning and
craftiness Of general he laid his plans
for the attack. Gardner's face was the
picture Of despair when Brewster ask
ed him to buy heavily in Lumber and
Fuel.
"Good heavens, Montyw cried the
broker. you're Joking. Lumber Is
away up now. 1t can't possibly go
fraction Of a point higher. Take my
advice and don't touch it. 1t opened
today at 111a4 and closed at 100. Why,
man, you're crazy to think about it for
an Instant"
81 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, 1 know what Pm talk
ing about. At least let me tell you
something about this stock" pleaded
Zion Loyalty despite the wound.
"Gardy, I've gone into this thing
carefully, and if ever a man felt sure
! about anything I do about this" said
Monty decidedly, butGffectionately.
Take my word for it, Lumber can't
go any higher. Think of the situation.
The lumbermen in the north and west
are overstocked, and there is strike
ready to go into effect. When that
comes, the stock will go for song.
The slump is liable to begin any day
MY mind is made up, said the other
| firmly, 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
points,
sat least a hundred thousand, eNclu-
sive of commission, which would be
twelve and a half a 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
lump instead of distributing it among
several brokers and throughout the
session. This was q 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 as 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 at
1853 there was d mighty gasp on the
exchange, then a rubbing of eyes, then
commotion Astonishmeut was follow
ed by nervousness, and then came the
struggle.
Brewster, confident that the stock