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

His greeting almost carried Mo1lty of
his feet.
not take him long to grasp the immensi-
ty Of the disaster. Gardner had bought
in at 10S2l, and that very action SEEM
ed to put new life into the stock. Just
as it was on the point of breaking for
lack of support along came this sen
sational order for 10000 shares, and
there could be but one result. AT one
time in the morning Lumber and Fuel,
traded in by excited holders, touched
1872 anG seemed in a fair way to hold
firm around that figure.
Other men came up and listened ca
gerly. Brewster realized that his dash
in Lumber and Fuel had been a mas
ter stroke Of cleverness when consid-
cred from the point Of view Of these
men, but a catastrophe from his own.
''I hope you sold it when it was at
the top," said the colonel anxiously.
81 instructed Gardner to sell only
when I gave the word" said Monty
lamely. Several of the men looked at
him in surprise and disgust.
"Well, if I were you I'd tell him to
SELL" remarked the colonel coldly.
1.-The effect Of your plunge has worn
off, Brewster, and the other side will
drive the prices down. They won't be
caught mapping again either" said one
of the bystanders earnestly.
'Do you think SOP" And there was
a note of relief in Monty's voice.
From all sides came the advice to
sell at once, but Brewster was not to
be pushed. He calmly lighted a ciga-
rette and with an assured air of wis
dom told them to wait little while
and see.
She's already falling off, said some
one at the ticker.
When Brewster's bewildered eyes
raced over the figures the stock was
quoted at 112 His sigh Of relief was
heard, but misunderstood He might
be saved after ALL The stock had
started to go down. and there seemed
no reason why it should stop. AS he
intended to purchase no more, it was
fair to assume that the backbone was
at the breaking point. The crash was
bound to come. BE could hardly re-
strain cry Of JOY. Even while he
stood at the ticker the little instru-
ment began to tell of a further decline.
AS the price went down his hopes went
up.
The bystanders were beginning to be
disgusted 1T was only q fuke after
all" they said to each other Colonel
Drew was appealed to to urge Monty
to save himself. and he was on the
point Of remonstrance when the mes
sage came that the threatened strike
was Off and that the men were willing
to arbitrate. Almost before one could
draw breath this Startling news began
to make itself felt. The certainty of a
great strike was one of the things that
had made Brewster sure that the price
could not hold With this DAM re-
moved there was nothing to jeopardize
the earning power Of the stock. The
next quotation was :; point higher.
You sly dog said the colonel, dig
ging Monty in the side. Il had conf
dence in you all the tine
In ten minutes tine Lumber and
Fuel was again up to 113 and soaring.
Brewster. panic stricken. rushed to the
telephone and called Up Gardner.
The broker hoarSe with excitement,
was delighted when he recognized
Brewster's voice
You're a wonder. Monty. I'll see
you after the close. How did you do
it, shouted Gardner.
whats the price now" asked Brew
ster
"One thirteen and three-fourths and
going up all the time. Hooray..'
"Doyou think she'll go down again.
demanded Brewster.
"Not if I can help it."
"Very we'll. then, go and sell out"'
roared Brewster.
"But she's going up like
Sell. hang you. Didn't YOU hear:'
Gardner. daZed and weak. began sell
ing and finally liIuidated the full line
at prices ranging from IL to ll232.
But Montgomery Brewster had cleared
SJS. S.:5:0 and all because it Was he and
not the market that got excited.