The Columbus journal., 1908-10-21

made but a murmur compared to the
whirlwind of sound that had arisen
from the pit at the former struggles
l had witnessed. There seemed but a
few blocks of 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 elec.
tion Of '73. You don't remember that,
l guess?"
Il wasn't in the market then" I ad-
mitted.
Lord! Just to hear that" cried
the stout little man. mopping his glist.
ening head frantically and quivering
with nervous excitement. "Doddridge
Knapp bids 1,50O for the stock and
only gets five shares. Oh. why amt l
chance to get into this?'
l heard a confused roar, above
which rose the fierce tones of Dodd-
ridge Knapp.
How many shares has he got to-
day." I asked.
Not 40 yet"
And the others?'
There's been about 1000 sold"
gripped the rail in nervous tension.
The battle seemed to lie going against
the King of the Street.
OH" gasped Wallbridge, trembling
with excitement. did you hear that ?
There! It's 1,7O0-now it's 1,775.
Whew!"
l echoed the exclamation.
"Oh. why haven't l got 10000
shares?" he groaned.
who is getting them
Knapp got the last lot Ooh, look
there! Did you ever see the like of
that?"
looked. Decker, hatless. with hair
disheveled, had leaped the rail and
was hurrying into the thrOng that sur
rounded Doddridge Knapp.
There was never two of 'em on the
floor before cried Wallbridge.
At Decker's appearance the brokers
opened lane to him, the cries fell
and there was an instant of silence as
came face to face.
| shall never forget the sight. Dodd
ridge Knapp, massive. calm, forcefui
surveyed his opponent with unruf!led
cOmpOsure. He was dressed in light
gray-brOwn suit that made him seem
larger than ever. Decker was nervous,
disheveled, his dress of black setting
off the pallOr of his face, till it seemed
as white as his shirt bosom, as he
frOnted the King of the Street.
The foes faced each other, watchful
as two wrestlers looking to seize an
opening, and the Board-rOOm held its
breath. Then the crowd of brokers
closed in again and the clamor rose
once more.
l could not make out the progress Of
the contest, but the trained ear of
Wallbridge interpreted the explosions
of inarticulate sound.
"Phew! listen to that, Two thou
sand. 2.l00. 2.150. Great snakes! See
her jump" he cried. "Decker's get
ting it,"
My heart sank. Doddridge Knapp
must have smOthered his brain once
more in the Black Smoke. and was
now paying the price of indulgence
And his plans of wealth were a sacri.
fee to the wild and criminal scheme
into which he had entered in his con-
test against the Unknown
The clanS of the gong recalled me
from the reverie that had shut out the
details of the scene before me.
There! Did you hear that?"
groaned Wallbridge Omega closes
at $500 and Decker takes every trick.
Oh, why didn't you have me on the
floor out there? By the great horn
spoon, I'd "a had every share of that
stock, and wouldn't "a paid more than
half as much for it. neither"
l sighed and turned. sick at heart,
to meet the King of the Street as he
shOuldered his way from the floor.
There was not a trace of his mis-
fortune to be read in his face. But
Decker, the victor, moved away like
man oppressed, pale, staggering,
half-fainting, as though the nervous
strain had brought him to the edge OF
collapse.
DOddridge Knapp made his way to
the doors and signed me to follow
him. but spoke no word until we stood
beside the columns that guard the en-
trance.
That was warm work" said Dodd-
ridge Knapp after moments halt.
Il was very sorry. to have it turn
out so,' / said.
A grim smile passed over his face.
Il wasn't" he growled good humor-
edly. Il thought it was rather neatly
done.
looked at him in surprise.
''Oh. forgot that hadn't seen you"
he continued. And like enough !
shouldn't have told you if I had. The
truth is. found a block of 1000 shares
on Saturday night, and made a com
with them"
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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