The Jackson herald., 1910-10-20
Bulls or Bears
By OSWALD EASTWOOD
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Press

pressed favorably. The minimum Of
space and excess OF activity conflicted
with his notion of personal extan.
sion, and on his passage from his car
to the entrance of the Office building
he had been jostled Enthusiastically. II
was positive relief to reach Mini.
ver's quarters and be given a seat in
the anteroom while his card was max.
ing its way to the presiding genius OF
the spot.
He waited patiently enough at
first and then with a growing dis.
taste. All the doors between the
small rooms which comprised tho
suite were open and Van Alstine vas
dismayed to find that some OF the
din and hustle that had assailed him
on the outside had followed him.
Loud voices were calling in every
direction, messenger boys were run.
ming hither and thither and the in.
cessant clicking OF telegraphis in.
struments and ringing OF telephone
calls set his nervous system on edge.
No one seemed TO take the slightest
notice of him, and the forced realiza,
tion OF his lack of Importance was
not an agreeable sensation.
After he had waited for what
seemed to him an unconscionable
period Miniver made his appearance.
The broker was In his shirt sleeves,
open at the wrists, cuff links dan.
Cling. He had the unlighted stub
OF cigar In his mouth and appeared
to be In a state OF intense nervous
strain.
Awfully sorry TO have kept YOU
waiting" he said. after they had
shaken hands. Meant TO have
phoned you that I'd have to call that
luncheon of. but | forgot all about
IL. It's an awful day for us. They've
been pounding US like mad for two
hours and the end is not yet. What's
that? ID. and r. G. OFF another point!
Homer, get a move on and Guy
everything in sight. Can't you come
down some other day-soon--Van
Alstine? How's that? I've sent out
for sandwich. c. and I. ailing, eh?
Let's put 'em to bed. Sell all we've
got. Don't keep enough for seeds.
One OF the biggest days I've ever
seen since came into the street.
Wha-wha-wha"
Without a word OF apology or ex.
planation Mlniver made a precipitous
exit from the room. Somewhere in
the rear his high.pitched voice con.
tinued to reel of orders at a fren.
zied rate, but Van Alstine saw no
more Of him that day. Just as he
had yielded to his not unreasonable
indignation and was about to leave
the uncongenlal spot Homer entered
the room.
"Mr. Miniver wishes me to apollo
gize for him." he said. This is real
ly one OF the hottest days the street
has seen for many yars."
rs II so unusual?" quried the
other listlessly. II have not been In
the neighborhood since was
child, but fancied It was Just about
living up to its reputation"
IT'S doing much more than that"
laughed Homer. Before closing TO
day there'll be more than one finan-
cial shipwreck that will startle the
DuSiutob community. DO gpu tNOi
deal in futures, Mr.. Van Alstine?"
so far | have found the present
sufficiently engrossing," the visitor
admitted, with a feeble attempt at
pleasantly. Then he added, soberly
enough: "I suppose Mr.. Miniver is
deeply interested In these matters.
He seemed to be very greatly dis
turbed over something"
Isn't II enough to rattle any man
to find out that he's million out OF
pocket? We've been on the wrong
side of the market ever since the
opening"
Bulls or bears?" asked Van Al.
stine. who did not know what else
to say.
Either" replied Homer. "as the
emergency demands"
Val Alstine took his leave. He
was so shaken by his experience in
the street that he went abroad al
most Immediately to remain for an
indefinite period.
About a year later he came face to
face with Homer in London. The
young man greeted him cordially and
Invited him to call at the hotel at
which he and his wife were stopping.
She's an old friend Of yours-Miss
Miniver. you know" explained Bob.
Come to see us. Plenty Of time to
visit with you now"
How did Miniver come out OF THAI
Wall street AFFAIR."" interrupted Van
Alstine.
"Oh, couple OF millions to the
good"
why, thought fancied he was
losing heavily"
"He was--in the morning, but he
was a big winner in the afternoon"
~ T.Iephnne palaa