Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1907-12-21

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he might not know where Richmond
was to be found. But he took the
note without question, and law down
with orders that was to be called in
time to reach the opening session of
the stock market, and in a moment
was fast asleep.
The Stock Exchange was a boiling
and bubbling mass OF excited men as
| reached it. l shouldered my way
through the crowd into the buzzing
Board-room as the session opened. Ex-
element thrilled the air, but the open
Ing was listless. All knew that the
struggle over Omega was to be set
tied that day, and that Doddridge
Knapp or George Decker was to find
ruin at the end of the call, and all
were eager to hasten the decisive mo
ment.
could see nothing OF Doddridge
Knapp. and the uneasy feeling that he
was at Livermore came over me.
What was my duty in case he did not
appear? Had he left his fotune at the
mercy of the market to follow his law
less schemes? Had he been caught
in his own trap, and was he now to be
ruined as the result of his own acts?
might have spared my worry. The
call had not proceeded far when the
massive form of Doddridge Knapp APP
peared at the railing. The strong
wolf-marks of the face were stronger
than ever as he watched the scene on
the floor. looked in vain for trace
upon him OF last nights work. II he
had been at Livermore he showed no
sign of the passions or anxieties that
had filled the dark hours.
He nodded carelessly for me to
come to him as he caught my eye.
You have the stock?"
"All safe"
And the proxies?'
"Just as you ordered"
The King of the Street looked at me
sharply.
Amy orders?" asked at last.
"Be where l can call you the min.
ute want you" he replied.
Now, my boy" he continued after a
minute, you are going to see what
hasn't been seen in the Boards for
years, and l reckon you'll never see it
again"
What is it?" / asked politely. Il
was prepared for almost any kind OF
fireworks in that arena.
Doddridge Knapp made no reply,
but raised his hand as If to command
silence, ana moment later the call OF
Omega was heard. And, for a marvel,
= strange stiffness did fall on the
throng
At the word Of call saw Doddridge
Knapp step down to the floor OF the
pit, calm, self-possessed, his shoulders
squared and his look as proud and
forceful as that OF a monarch who
ruled by the might Of his sword, while
grim smile played about his stern
mouth.
The silence OF the moment that
followed was almost painful, when the
voice Of Doddridge Knapp rang like
a trumpet through the Board-room.
Five hundred for Omega!"
This was wild jump from 325 that
was marked against the stock at the
close on Saturday, but / supposed the
King of the Street knew what he was
about.
At the bid Of Doddridge Knapp a
few cries rose here and there, and
he was at once the center OF a group
of gesticulating brokers. Then saw
Decker, pale, eager, alert, standing by
the rail across the room, signaling or
ders to men who howled bids and
wildly into the crowd that sur
rounded his rival.
The bids and offers came back and
forth with shouts and banks, yet they
made but a murmur compared to the
whirlwind OF sound that had arisen
from the pit at the former struggles
| had witnessed. There seemed but a
few blocks vi the stock on the market.
This is great" chuckled Wall
bridge, taking post before me. There
hasn't been anything like It since
Decker captured Chollar in the cleo
tion of '73. You don't remember that,
/ guess?"
Il wasn't in the market them" adj
mitted.
Lord Just to hear that" cried
the stout little man, hopping his glist-
ening head frantically and quivering
with nervous excitement. %Doddridge |
Knapp bids 1900 for the stock and
only gets five shares. Oh, why amt |
q chance to get into this?"
! heard . confused roar: abe