The Mankato free press., 1910-03-11
CHAPTER I.

'HOSE who doubt that fate now
and then INDUCES i'll irony
should have observed the man.
Il ner in which Hewington Acres
came into the possession Of "Cherub"
Devine.
Bulkins, the real estate agent who
made the sale, attributes the whole
credit of the transaction to his own
shrewdneSs. But. then, Bulkins is one
of those persons who would cheerfully
call upon the entire universe to prove
all other men in that respect. Does
the sun shine? Bulkins knew it would
and for his profit. There comes a
storm. Bulkins appropriates it, wrings
a percentage therefrom and winks con-
fdently at the solar system whose op-
erations are conducted for his especial
and particular benefit.
81 can sell anything, anywhere"
This was Bulkins philosophy, his re-
ligion, his declaration of faith in him
self.
And Of course Bulkins knew the hab-
its and ways of Cherub Devine Ev-
cry one knew them. Any One-the
man in the street, the clerk behind
the counter, the very newsboy at the
curb-could tell you all about Cherub,
give you his entire history, from the
time he started his career as office
boy for Chicago stockbroker until he
evolved into the many millioned Specu-
lator whose audacious methods were
at that moment stirring things up in
Wall street. Each and every one could
have told you exactly the kind of man
he was and missed the mark widely,
for such men are not so easily esti-
mated.
Perhaps it was this, visible in his
wide set blue eyes, with the flashes OF
light behind; perhaps it was only the
pink chubbiness of his cleanly shaven
face, which earned him the name of
Cherub, designation applied impair
TALLY by pert messenger boys, irrev-
erent brokers and staid heads Of great
corporations. He had been christened
otherwise, of course. and possibly
| Cheru1 was inappropriate wlon you
consider all that he was or seemed to
be, but the designation was universal
| ly accepted, as you know.
I Just where he might be expected to
be found Bulkins had run across him,
seated comfortably in leather COW
| cred, wide armed office chair at III
open window which looked out aero :
Broad street toward the more OF les
ornate front Of the New York Stock
Exchange.
The time was a little past noon of
| an August Saturday. Therefore the
stream of men was setting outward
| between the great pillars. The curb
was lined with hansoms and autos,
/ and into these climbed brokers vari-
ously attired, variously burdened.
Here came one in blue serge wearing
yachting cap, there two who swung
golf bags in their hands. Others were
followed by boys carrying kit bags.
Hello, Cherub! They got after you
today, eh? Planning how to get even,
are your
Mr.. Devine showed no resentment
Maybe l was" said he.
| Bulkins snorted out mirthless
laugh.
"Good Sic 'em, my boy! That's
what I'd do. When they think they've
got me beat worst | bob up and go at
'em hardest. But. say. you cusis to
take a rest once in awhile Does a
man good. You ought He grinned
broadly. "Oh. say, Cherub." drop
ping his tone. I've got just the thing
you ought to have-a country place."
"Yes?" Mr.. Devine acknowledged
the joke by tlicking half an inch Of
cigar ash on the window ledge.
You bet!' Bulkins was smoothing
Cherub's coat sleeve. Its Hewing-
ton Acres-up on the sound-gilt edged
suburban, property. and going dirt
about the Hewingtons; swell family.
but gone all to smash financially.
Now, there's twenty acres Of park
along the water, nice little forty room
cottage
"Only fortyT
with stables, lodge house, garden
er's shack and the like. It's fully fur
nished and goes as it stands. even to
the servants If you want them. Just
! the place for a family man like you.'
And Bulkins snorted a fresh apprecia-
tion of hts own humor. winking
roguishly at an astonished brokers'
clerk who happened to be passing.
Mr.. Devlne seemed to have missed
the joke.
"How much?" he asked, his gaze
still fxed on the stone steps opposite.