The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-02
WHEN CUPID
TURNED BROKER

so Tar that ne was not alone IN the
fight. He was materially REINFORCED
by Lucy Rucker, the judges daugh-
ter, and the object of the bitter con.
tention. Lucy loved her father, but
she loved Jim more.
The one great fault the judge
found with Jim was his poverty, and
this fault Jim possessed in the first
degree. This would not have been so
bad in the eyes of the judge if Jim
had shown any inclination to remedy
it. But he didn't. He made money,
but he was too generous and free
handed to save it. In the eyes of the
Judge, who was almost misery, this
was an objectionable failing.
SHOW me that you can save $4,000
in a year." he once said to Jim, "and
1 may then reconsider the question of
you and Lucy marrying"
II am sorry" Jim replied, "but 1t
can't be done"
"Why can't it? You make money
enough, I'm sure"
"Yes, I make it all right but I can't
keep it. I have tried to and I just
can't do it,"
stuff! When I vas a young man,
I was as poor as you, but I saved
money. You can, too, If you try"
IF I had your disposition I could;
but unfortunately I am constructed
on a different plan. I just can't grind
every dollar out Of the people and
never give out a cent in return. Any
way, I am satisfied with the result"
"Bosh! Stuff! Nonsense! Busi-
less is business, and If you expect
to get on in the world you have got
to practice business methods. When
you can save $4,000 in a year I will
consent for you to marry my daugh-
ter"
But we love each other, and, al
though I may never be rich, you know
that I can give her a good comfort
able support. She shall never want
for anything, I assure you"
Maybe not, but I don't know about
that. If some needy beggar came
along and put up a pitiful mouth,
how do I know that you wouldn't
take the very clothes off your wife's
back and give them away? am not
going to take any chances. I have
given you my dictum."
The next day Jim and Lucy met
and he told her of the interview with
her father. She vas nestled close
to him with his arms about her and
her head resting on his shoulder at
the time.
II know all about It," she replied,
rand it is so hard that we must be
unhappy because papa is so set"
"He can not keep us apart forever.
I would just take you and run off
with you If you would consent &c
It."
"No, no. Not now. Let's wait a
while and maybe something will hap
ben"
"And if nothing does happen?"
"Well, we'll see. If we wait a long
time and nothing happens I couldn't
blame you if you did steal me-"
So they decided and so they waited.
Jim concluded to make an effort to
comply with the judges demands,
but he soon found that he couldn't
save money. He remembered that he
had a great incentive to save, but
when some one came to him in need
he could not close his heart to an
appeal for help. Two or three
months went by and again he and
Lucy were together alone.
II guess if I am to have you at
ALL" he said, there is nothing for
me to do but take you up ana run
off with you. I've tried to save mon
ey, but I can't do it. I'll eve meet
your fathers demands. If you won't
let me steal you I'll have to give you
up"
IF I was a man and loved a girl
I would steal her whether she want
ed me to or not"
Then I guess I'll just steal you"
THAT would be nice, and 1 know
I should enjoy it. But I don't be-
lieve 1t is necessary. I think, dear,
1 know a way for you to make that
hateful old money"
you do? Howl"
And the best of it is you will
make it off papa, too"
Jim's heart sunk and his face
heightened. I'm afraid that is not
quite possible" he said. II know
your father pretty we'll, and when
there is any money making going on
he is sure to be on the winning side.
well, you know papa and Mr..
Order are both interested in the
Mercury bank. In fact, between them
they W almost all the stock"
Eyes, I know that"
"But neither of them has quite a
controlling interest"
well, they've fallen out, and both
of them want to get control, so they
are both after a hundred shares OF
stock that's owned by a man in St
Louis. Whichever gets this stock
will have control"
II see."
Papa says he is going to st. Louis
tomorrow to buy it, and that he is
going to have it even if he has tc
pay three times its worth, which is
$50 a share. Now don't you see what
you must do?"
Il am not sure that I do"
why, gocsy, you must go to st
Louis tonight and buy that stock be.
fore papa can get there, and ther
when he comes make him pay $4,000