The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-03
Vile and Wit Win a Wife.

Vile and Wit Win a Wife.
"And so you want me to consent to
your making Helen your wife The
speaker was Henry Norcross, one Of the
millionaire manipulators of finance in New
York, aud the scene was in his private
office. The only other person present was
Carl Lorraine, for some years the confden-
tial secretary of Mr.. Norcross and now a
suitor for the hand of his employers only
daughter.
"No, Carl, I do not think can give
my CONSENT continued the broker.
but sit down and we will talk it over.
Now why should give my daughter to
you p
The question was unexpected and was
capable of but one answer.
"Well, sir, I love Helen and she says
she returns my affection, but will only
marry with her fathers consent.
Good girl, y chuckled the old man.
ssI think continued Carl 'that my
habits are good, and the chief objection |
can see is my lack of wealth. | am GER
tain that l have endeavored to be faithful
to my duties.
After moments pause, Mr.. Norcross
said "Carl, am going to explain more
fully how | feel about this matter When
I was your age 1 had no more money than
you have, and 1 lacked the education that
has been given you. As you say, you are
faithful and of good habits, but [ want
more than that for my daughter have
money enough and when I die it will all go
to Helen. For Helen's husband | want a
man who will be able to handle this
property wisely. have made my money
by my wits, while you are to-day no better
off than you were three years ago, except
from the meager amount you have saved
from the liberal salary l allow you. |
have seen this feeling growing between you
and Helen, and have hoped to see you
wake up. | cannot consent to an engage
ment, but will make an agreement with
YOU. If within the next three months
you succeed in making thousand dollars
by the shrewd use of your wits, [ will con-
sent to your marriage to Helen.
Noting the young mans look OF dis
couragemept at this, the old man continued:
''Do you remember how last week [ made
So, 900 from my brother by learning that
he had sold short on G. and O., then buy
ing up all 1 could find on the market and
selling to him at large advance? He
is my brother, and if he was in trouble my
money is his, but in business transaction
l will catch him if possible. Keep your
eyes open and your wits on the alert, and
I sincerely wish you success.
Ten weeks of the three months had gone
by and the one thousand dollars seemed
as far away as ever. Mr.. Norcross was
in his office, preparing to attend an i'm
portant meeting of the S. and M. railroad.
He had stepped into brick vault that had
been built in the rear of his Office in order
to get bundle of papers that would give
him control of the railroad and permit him
to dictate its policy-to his own advan-
tage of course.
Just as he stepped inside the vault a
gust of wind swung the door to and the
spring lock held it fast. A small barred
window prevented any possibility of sutfo-
cation, and in half laughing tone the
broker called for Carl to open the door.
A daring thought came to the young
man and he rose to the occasion.
"Tm afraid 1 have forgotten the COM
bination." he said. What the old man
said was to the point, but profane. When
he quilted off a trife, the young man said:
81 think check for thousand might set
my wits to working.
Again the violent language flowed
through the little window, until the young
man reminded Mr.. Norcross that the board
meeting would be called in twenty minutes
After pause, a question flowed through
the window. ''Shall put the name OF
Carl Lorraine on that check ?"
eff you please was the polite reply.
The check huttered out through the
window and in moment the door was
opened.
Furious at the trick, Mr.. Norcross
stopped long enough to say, ''That was
rascality, not the exercise Of your wits. -
Zone moment" replied the young man.
"Speaking of wits, you forget that key
is hanging inside the vault, to be used in
Just such an emergency as this. 1 pre-
sumo your wits failed to work promptly
this time"
AS the humor of the situation dawned
on the irate broker, he smiled grimly, and
in spite of his great haste, he paused long
enough to say, "You'll do. [ think you
will find Helen at home this evening.