Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-08-03
The Speculation.

| never do the drudgery necessary to
small beginning. Give one of then
the assurance that by working In ,
humdrum field for few years he ma!
secure not only competence, but for
tune, and he will not be able to brins
himself to suffer the restraint and en-
dure the steady labor required. But ht
will thrive under adversely
Bushnell Bugbee was one of this
kind. He had been given a splendid
opportunity by an uncle to work uI
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
the lowest ebb, he married. He said
he thought marriage would settle him.
Perhaps better statement Of the case
would be that the condition Of a mar
ried man with no income would create
conditions under which he could act.
At any rate it did
He had 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. Strolllng along a
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 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 it was some such
thought that led Bugbee to enter. He
found 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 1t
was good enough for him.
A crowd was gathering, and present
ly the auctioneer mounted a 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,
when all but two bidders dropped out.
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
gave 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 q bank bill At the same
time a man standing next to him whiy-
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, 800 and, seeing
him about to weaken, looked around
For the man who had employed him
FOR dummy. He was nowhere to be
seen. When he turned again he saw
ais opponent leaving the room. and the
called to him:
What name, sirY'
There was not the slightest CULVER In
he successful bidders voice as he an
'wered, Bushnell Bugbee."
Call right. l want a check for 10 per
'ent of the purchase, or $780,"
At that moment a man came hurry
ng into the room to learn that the sale
vas over and the property knocked
Town. He got his information from
he auctioneer, and Bugbee saw the
after point in his direction. Before he
,ould remark upon the auctioneer's re-
luest for check the disappointed man
approached him and requested to see
him in another room.
"Do you wish this property for your
'wn use or as speculation" asked |
he late conner,
II would prefer to live in It," replied |
3ugbee truthfully.
cit belonged to my father. My broth |
II lived in It, but specialized in stocks
nd lost all his money. l returned
his morning to find the old homestead
vas about to be sold. l have made
money on the Pacific coast and don't |
want to see the house or furniture go
ut of the family. Please name a
um that you will take for your bar.
tain."
Nothing would induce me to stand
n mans way to recover the home
t his ancestors" said Bugbee. Ell
'ou will name a sum you consider
his home worth to you. will accept
l."
This Is indeed generosity" said the
ther. ''I have not asked what you
aid for II, but had been here in time
would certainly not have stopped
bidding under $4,000. 1 will cheerful
y give you that price for 1t and thank
'ou very much"
'srhe favor Is mine." replied Bugbee,
in the opportunity to restore ones
Iome to him. Your check for 81, 500
J all you are indebted to me-"
The man drew q check book from his
wrote a check for the
mount and handed 1t to Bugbee and
a