Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-06-16
A Board of Trade Broker
STORY OF A LITTLE BIT OF
HEART.

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 hopeiessly for many weeks,
smashed two cents the previous day.
He thought he saw evidences of a
rally. 1t might not advance more than
a cent or two and 1t might not last,
but his intuition tofd him that an adj
vance a 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-10,000 at TIN, the
market for wheat being TIA.
The usual sellers of puts and calls
being absent from their posts at the
moment, Dick thought he would await
'thelr return. So he sat down beside
a wh~ite-haired old man well along in
the 70s. The old man was a trader in
a small way. as thin as a match,
nervous and weak, for he had been
out OF a hospital only a few days after
two months sickness. The board was
no place for him. He had no home
and no income except the p|ittance
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, Il want to buy
10000 calls for to-day at 77h."
Sold" said the old man
Dick handed him ten dollars, and
the transaction to that extent was
completed.
\ moment later there was a terrible
clamor. Traders rus he'd at one another
like madmen. A hundred hands were
in the air, a hundred voices shrieked
and implored. The great mass of fran
tie men swayed hither and thtther.
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 elamor ceased. In
a cool, clear voice, he said: IN sell
100000 wheat at 10"
There was a momentary gasp and
then a rush which almost carried him
eff his feet. The clamor was renewed.
Scores of voices shrieked: I'm take
$4,000, I'm take 100,0 00!' I'm take
-. 0O0."
The price rose TO 79A, 1919. The
zfantic demand was still unsatished.
TheE the gong rang and the session
wa5 over.
Dick looked for the old 1aan 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 a pitiful attempt at a smile.
MIR. Clair" he said, Il did o use
the 10000 calls bought from you; ]
only wanted 10000, an order from a
customer, and find | 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 a Grand Army Ia said:
You could use them yourself and
make 5000"
NO" said Dick; Il haven't been
specializing lately and don't propose
beginning now. | can't speculate and
do my brokerage customers justice"
"All right" said the old man. and
lis look of relief warmed Dicks heart.
That night, with his two-year-old
child on his lap, Dick related the cir
cGmstances to his wife, of whose
tongue he was slightly afraid. When
he got through she exclaimed: DO you
mean to say that. had you held the
old 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
MANI"
What do ! care for him? haven't
had a new dress Tor a year. Winter
is coming on, baby needs a warm
I cloak and you need an oyercoat. That
| 5000 would have supplied alI our wants,
End now you have fooled IT away.
| Sympathy! / believe in looking out
tor myself.
All bedtime Dick bent over the little
| girls crib, put his face close to hers
and whispered: Baby, darling, l could