Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-01-29

was engaged. 1t seemed to him that
plan as he might, he could not devise
fresh ways and means to earn $4,000
a day. He was still comfortably ahead
in the race, but a famine in opportu-
mites was not far remote. Ten big
dinner parties and a string Of elabor-
ate after the play suppers maintained
a fair but insufficient average, and he
could see that the time was ripe fol
radical measures. He could not go or
forever with his dinners. People were
already beginning to refer to the fact
that he was warming his toes on the
social register, and he had no desire tc
become the laughingstock of the town
The few sighting, sarcastic remarks
about his business ability, chiefly by
women and therefore reflected from
the men, hurt him. Miss Drew's ap-
parently harmless taunt and Mrs
Dams open criticism told plainly
enough how the wind was blowing
but it was Peggy's gentle questions
that cut the deepest. There was such
honest concern in her voice that he
could see how his profiigacy was trou-
bling her and Mrs. Gray. In their
eyes more than in the others he felt
ashamed and humiliated. Finally
goaded by the remark Of bank di-
rector which he overheard, Edwin p.
Brewster is turning handsprings In Ills
grave over the way he is going 1t,
Monty resolved to redeem himself IN
the eyes of his critics. He would show
them that his brain was not wholly
given over to frivolity.
With this project in mind he decided
to cause a little excitement in Wall
street. For some days he stealthily
watched the stock market and piled his
friends with questions about values
Constant reading and observation
finally convinced him that Lumber and
Fuel Common was the one stock in
which he could safely plunge. Cast
ing aside all apprehension, so far as
Swearengen Jones was concerned, ne
prepared for what was to be his one
and only venture on the Stock Ex-
change before the 23d of the following
September. With all the cunning and
craftiness of a general he laid his plans
for the attack. Gardner's face was the
picture Of despair when Brewster ask
ed him to buy heavily in Lumber and
Fuel.
Good heavens, Monty!" cried the
broker. You're joking Lumber Is
away up now. 1t can't possibly go a
fraction Of point higher. Take my
advice and don't touch it. 1t opened
today at 1113 and closed at 100. Why
man, you're crazy to think about 1t for
an Instant
Il know my business, Gardner
said Brewster quietly, and his con-
science smote him when he saw the
flush of modification creep into the
face of his friend. The rebuke had
cut Gardner to the quick.
But, Monty, l know what I'm talk
ing about. At least let me tell you
something about this stock" pleaded
Elon loyalty despite the wound.
"Gardy, I've gone into this thing
carefully, and if every man felt sure
about anything I do about this" said
Monty decidedly, but affectionately.
Take my word for it, Lumber can't
go any higher. Think of the situation
The lumbermen in the north and west
are overstocked, and there is a strike
ready to go into effect. When that
comes, the stock will go for song.
The slump is liable to begin any day.
MY mind is made up" said the 9TH
er firmly, and Gardner was in despair
will you or will you not execute an
order for me at the opening tomor-
row? III start with 10000 shares. What
will it cost me to margin it for ten
points,"
"At least a hundred thousand, exclu-
sive of commission, which would be
twelve and a half a hundred shares y
Despite the most strenuous opposition
from Gardner Brewster adhered to his
design, and the broker executed the
order the next morning. He knew that
Brewster had but one chance to win
and that was to buy the stock In a
lump instead of distributing it among
several brokers and throughout the
session. This was a point that Monty
had overlooked.
There had been little to excite the
Stock Exchange for some weeks; moth
ing was active, and the slightest fur
ry was hailed as an event. Every one
knew that the calm would be disturbed
at some near day, but nobody looked
for a sensation in Lumber and Fuel
1t was a foregone conclusion that a
slump was coming, and there was
scarcely any trading in the stock
When Elon Gardner, acting for Mont
gomery Brewster, took 10000 shares al
1OS3 there was a mighty gasp on the
exchange, then a rubbing of eyes. then
commotion. Astonishment was follow
ed by nervousness, and then came the
struggle.
Brewster, confident that the stock
could go no higher and that sooner OF
later it must drop, calmly ordered his
horse for a ride in the snow covered
park. Even though he knew the ven
ture was to be a failure in the ordinary
sense, he found JOY in the knowledge
that he was doing something. He might
be a fool; he was at least no longer
inactive The feel of the air was good
TO him. He was eXhilarated by the
glitter of the snow, the answering ex-
citement of his horse. the gayety and
sparkle of life about him.
Somewhere far back in his inner sell
there seemed to be the sound of cheer
ing and the clapping Of hands. Short
ly before noon he reached his club
where he was to lunch with Colone
Drew. In the reading room he OBJ
served that men were looking at hin
in a manner less casual than was GUS
tomary. Some of them went so fal
as to smile encouragingly, and Others
waved their hands in the most cordia
fashion. Three or four very young
n,n,,berc looked upOn him with aQ.