The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-05-25
New NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Story of the Days of the Early
Telephone.
ksw Three Old-Time Boston Nee
chants Made a Million Over Night
on Bell Stock Owing TO Or.
Hubbard's Ability.
BY e. J. EDWARDS.


Many stories have been told of for
tunes made out of the telephone by
men who bought stock in the original
company when most Of the world was
doubtful of the practicability of the
invention. Here is a new one, a part
OF which | saw acted In the early
spring of 1877, when | was staying at
the United States hotel In Boston. for
few days.
After breakfast, on the second
morning of my arrival at the hotel, !
went to the mems parlor to look over
the morning papers. Presently there
entered two elderly men, who seemed
to be warm friends In appearance
they were typical of the dignified, cul
tivated, Quiet-mannered merchant OF
Boston. Anyone seeing them would
have said at once that they were own
ers Of vessels plying between Bostan
and China or the West Indies. One of
them jingled some coins in a pocket;
the other tossed a ring of small tools
back and forth in his hands. They
took their stand near where I was
seated.
Il wouldn't give a sixpence for the
whole capital stock" I could not help
hearing one of them say. Il wouldn't
have gone into It II So-and-So had not
asked me to do It as a sort Of favor to
him."
But l hear that DR.. Hubbard has
MI fnr III at
ing the stock, and he is a pretty clear
headed business man." spoke up the
other.
Before the first speaker could reply
a third man, whose appearance and
manner also indicated the successful
merchant engaged in the China trade.
came into the parlor. walked with az
rapid a step as his dignity would per
NIT up to the two men, and extended
both hands first to one of them, then
to the other.
This is very surprising" he ex-
claimed, radiantly. 1T has all hap
pened over night. What do you think
our stock is quoted at today?"
The pair looked at the newcomer as
though they felt that their friend was
trying to have little fun with them.
mo, I'm not Joking" the man pro-
tested. TITS fact. DR.. Hubbard has
worked out his plan. It's going to be
a great success. Everybody will be
rushing to buy stock. Two hundred
and fifty was offered for II this morn
ing. and that's jump from almost
nothing over night"
The two dignified listeners actu-
ally gasped when they heard that an
nouncement. They said nothing; they
were struck speechless, apparently;
and as they stood there, staring at
their friend In a most undignified man.
ner, the latter turned to one of them
with: Il had perfect confidence in DR..
Hubbard. l knew he'd do 1t. Aren't
you glad I persuaded you not to drop
out?"
The next days, in conversation with
the famous lilly Haynes, proprietor
of the hotel, learned the sequel Of
the little scene had beheld the morn
ing previous In the mems parlor.
Il have three permanent guests
who together made a million over
night this week. They are old-time
Boston merchants who. with their
families, live with me In the winter
and spring. Somebody persuaded them
to take stock in the original Bell Tele-
phone company and for long time
they were in the dumps over the in
vestmeut. Then DIR. Gardiner Hub
bard took hold of the company and
put II on its feet; night before last
the stock went up like balloon lit
orally over night, and two of those
three men aren't quite certain yet
whether they are dreaming or whether
1t is a real experience for them. I
wish I had bought some Of the stock
six months ago, when people wouldn't
look at It at any price," continued Mr..
Haynes, regretfully.
Copyright, 1910. by E. ]. Edwards. All
Rights Reserved)