Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-06-19
The Speculation.

assimilate best with the condition of
war. pestilence or famine. They can
never do the drudgery necessary to a
small beginning Give one of them
the assurance that by working in a
humdrum field for few years he may
secure not only competence, but for
tune. and he will not be able to bring
himself to suffer the restraint and en-
dure the steady labor required. But he
will thrive under adversely.
Bushnell Bugbee was one of this
kind He had been given a splendid
opportunity by an uncle to work up
from subordinate position to succeed
his uncle, who was childless, in the
management of the business. He
proved himself incompetent, only dis
tinguishing himself once, when the
store caught fire. Then his was the
only cool head about the premises, and
he saved the place from destruction.
His uncle finally discharged him, and
he drifted, doing nothing till, when at
he thought marriage would settle him.
Perhaps better statement Of the case
would be that the condition Of mar
ried man with no income would create
conditions under which he could act.
At any rate it did.
He had a hundred dollars at the time
of his marriage, and he proceeded to
lose that at game Of faro. Then one
morning when he and his wife had
nothing In the house for breakfast he
started out to find some means Of bet
tering his condition. Strolling along
street aimlessly with his hands in his
pockets, he came to stone front dwell
ing, from the stoop of which protruded
a red flag, denoting an auction. There
is something In this symbol when hung
from such a place denoting trouble.
Ten to one those who have lived in the
house died or failed In business or met
with some calamity to render the sale
necessary Possibly 1t was some such
thought that led Bugbee to enter. He
found a splendid house with fine furni
ture of an olden type that was to be
sold under the hammer. He looked the
property over with the critical eye Of
one who was considering whether it
was good enough for him.
A crowd was gathering, and present
" the auctioneer mounted table and
called for bid. Some one started with
an offer OF $4,000, which was not half
the value of the property. The bidding
was spirited till $4,000 was reached,
--,ho,, oil ,,,,< +x,o hiddarc 1rorpod ont
One of these seemed determined to Sc
cure what was evidently a bargain.
and the other after vying with him
till the figure of $4,000 was reached
gaze up the contest and withdrew.
At this juncture Bushnell Bugbee
felt stiff piece Of paper slipped into
his hand, and downward glance told
him 1t was a bank bill. At the same
time a man standing next to him whis-
pered to him to bid against the win
ner Bugbee, who was getting hungry
for his breakfast, obeyed. He raised
the other bidder to $3S,5O0 and, seeing
him about to weaken, looked around
for the man who had employed him
for a dummy. He was nowhere to be
seen. When he turned again he saw
his opponent leaving the room, and the
auctioneer called to him:
what name, MrY'
There was not the slightest culver In
the successful bidders voice as he an
swered, Bushnell Bugbee."
"All right. want check for 10 per
cent of the purchase, or $780,"
At that moment man came hurry
ing into the room to learn that the sale
was over and the property knocked
down. He got his information from
the auctioneer, and Bugbee saw the
latter point in his direction. Before he
could remark upon the auctioneer's re-
quest for a check the disappointed man
approached him and requested to see
him In another room.
"Do you wish this property for your
own use or as speculationf" asked
the late conner.
II would prefer to live In il" replied
Bugbee truthfully.
ut belonged to my father. My broth
er lived in 1t, but speculated in stocks
uuu iOSl al LIS Liohcs' ASseAhSo
this morning to find the old homestead
was about to be sold. l have made
money on the Pacific coast and don't
want to see the house or furniture go
out of the family. Please name a
sum that you VIII take for your bar
gain"
Nothing would induce me to stand
In a mans way to recover the home
of his ancestors" said Bugbee. IF
you will name sum you consider
this home worth to you, l will accept
It."
"This is indeed generosity" said the
other. IT have not asked what you
paid for 1t, but had been here in time
would certainly not have stopped
bidding under $4,000. will cheerful
ly give you that price for 1t and thank
you very much"
"The favor Is mine," replied Bugbee,
ain the opportunity to restore ones
home to him. Your check for $11, 500
is all you are indebted to me-"
The man drew a check book from his
pocketbook, wrote a cheek for the
amount and handed II to Bugbee and
then drew another for $3S,500, which
be gave the auctioneer. Pressing Bug
bees hand gratefully, he left the house.
Mr.. Bugbee has since become I'm
oh co In tho