Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-03-19
A QUEER -:- -
INVESTMENT.

people TO be reckless. Billy expected
this. They are usually generous and
expect their friends TO be generous.
Such was the case with Bully.
One night be was sitting In a gam
bling house when q man stepped up to
him and handed him q letter from one
John Ripley. The letter stated that
the man, Peter Stevenson, wanted
some money with which to engage in
. speculative pursuit Ripley would
furnish part Of the amount II Moreton
would put mp the remaining part. The
two who furnished the capital were TO
be interested in the results of Steven.
sons speculation.
Moreton read the letter and without
looking up at Stevenson showed ten
Dollars worth Of chips on to the faro
board before him, saying, Elf this
Wins I'll go you" There were win
hings for awhile; then the pile was re-
uced and added to for an hour, when
he $40 had grown to $3.50.
''That'l do" said Stevenson. II can
let on with that"
Moreton passed $3.50 over to him and
Eithout taking an acknowledgment of
my kind went on with bis game Ste
enson departed, and Billy Moreton
orgot all about the transaction.
The next thing Billy did was to fall
love. It not only happened that he
ell in love when the tide had turned
gainst him. but his girl had the good
ense to act upon the fact that he was
-
the value OF money till there f. no
hance for them to get any. She told
MY that she loved him, but unless be
hanged his nature, which was impos-
BILE, she would not think Of bringing
told misery upon him, her and I'M
IN children by marrying him.
Billy was not absolutely worthless.
deed, all be needed was some one to
anaRe his cash for him. He prom
ID Helen Hartshorne that IL she
Duld marry him he would turn ev-
cent he made over to her for keep
and spending. Helen weakened.
LILY followed up the advantage and
pn her.
From that day there was a great
ange in Billy Moreton. He scraped
gether a little cash Borrowed from
ends he had loaned money to or
Dney repaid by themI and went into
siness for himself. His wife was
cashier and attended to the entire
ances. Billy managed the trade
IT Of the business, and q very good
siness man he made. A little one
% born to the pair. and this tended
steady Billy.
L Is hard to stamp out a natural
sakness. In other words, bray a
Dl in a mortar and he is still fool"
e day a friend Of BIIy's came to
b to ask q favor. He had a note
$4,000 coming due and would be
hst a little short at the time. He
MD easily tide over the interval II
~ would indorse a renewal Of the
te. Billy struggled with himself
knew II be asked his wffe'B con-
rrence It would not be given. For
moment his old weakness return
and before he realized what he
q done he had put his name on the
per.
turned out to be the old story.
3 man for whom he had indOrsed
led to pay the note, and Billy was
thed Within a few days a sheriff
aid walk into his premises. both
iness and home, and Billy and his
billy would walk out.
IA the evening he received this In
nation his wife had gone home ear
At o'clock he locked up his little
re and walked slowly toward his
pc in doubt whether to commit sui
or tell his wife that he had acted
bout her concurrence and had
ed himself. her and their little
As he was crossing q street he
en- acquaintance directing a
niger toward him. The stranger
oached him and said:
z. Moreton. believer
hats my name"
lillian d. Moretonr
ou're right again"
ou may not remember Il, but
years ago you advanced me
money for
m not advancing money any more.
t I've done has ruined me. You
excuse me-"
ID Billy walked on. The stranger
wed. Under the broad rim Of his
his eyes shone with q peculiar
on wouldn't grub stake q man.
ID You. while he Il hunting up a
miner
Q. l wouldn't Among the many
ne transactions Of my life / am
~ to say l never was fool enough
that You can't get a cent out Of
for l haven't got IT to give even
would. So longF'
ould you mind giving me q re-
for $17OO0T'
hat $17.0O0T" Billy looked up.
led
stranger took a PIE Of notes