The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-16

Mr., Pierrepont. prince OF industry.
master of millions. sat in his office in
Wall Street and looked savagely across
his desk at Oscar : Holmwood. presi-
dent of the great Helmwood Brass Co.
as the latter haltingly and shamefacely
told his story. There was not a sign
of sympathy in the bankers face. He
felt only bitterness ana contempt for
the man before him. When Helmwood
finished Mr. Pierrepont glared at him
Tor nearly half a minute before speak
ing. And when he did speak every
word scared the heart of his visitor.
Il thought YOU were a business man."
the great banker said Il find you are
n fool"
ar. Helmwood went out into wall
Street crushed in spirit. In his own
city end his own State he was looked
upon as q man OF the highest rank.
but he appeared SO abjectly miserable
as ne climbed the ascent to Broadway
that even some OF the callous persons
who hurried by turned and glanced at
him inquirngly. If not compassionately
But Mr.. Helmwood did not know or
care how he impressed persons in the
street. There are some shocks that
numb one portion of the brain and
'ttNt dNbtItE sttllpn active. lie COnIQ
think only of his misfortune Within
y week all his brilliant prospects had
been wrecked. He had been de-
ceived. made ridiculous and brought
20 condition that almost was
disG!aceful in his eyes He had been
go proud. SO confident. so secure in his
position that the possibility of be
.rayal or defeat never had occurred Ia
him. And now. as the details crowd.
ed back into hts mind, he could no,
but feel that Mr. Pierreponts dis
mssal OF him wir the remark II find
you are q fool" was justified
AS Mr.. Helmwood journeyed home
ward in the train that evening he had
ample time for reelection. He could
imagine how absurd he would appear
In the eyes of the men in his business
when the news got ont and how scath- |
ing would be the criticism to which he |
would be subjected. H. realized too |
that he would have to resign the presi- |
dency OF the company which bore his /
name and give up his fine home and I
10 maintain his family accustomed as
they were all their lives to luxury, he |!
had no idea. He only had enough |
money to meet a few years expenses. |
and as he thought of the future he al |
most was in panic. Only week be- |
fore he had been figuring in millions !
Now he felt like a rauper One grain |
Of comfort and only one was left to
him. His name was clear He had /
been guilty of no dishonorable act His |
error had been egrogious. inexcusable /
almost but II was an honest one. He
had been trustful and had been hood
winked. 1t made him furious to think
how meanly he had been taken ad
vantage of. and he clenched his fists
In his rage until the nails cut the flesh.
a little thing sometimes relieves the
overwrouSht nerves. Mr. Helmwood |
looked at the palms of his hands for |
few moments before he was conscious
that there was little blood on them, |
He drew out handkerchief. moistened |
ST a bit and then wiped away the blood |
After that he felt calmer.
The Helmwood Brass Company was |
the biggest in the East and Oscar S. |
II elmwood was considered the foremost |
man in the business. lie had force /
enthusiasm and lmag ination. At one
time he had owned nearly two-fifths OF |
the stock in the company, hut his hold |
ings had been decreased materially. |
Once ne had sold a portion OF his stock |
;n order to invest in an outside pro-
ject that seemed most promising, and ,
Mt various times he had disposed of
shares in order to indulge the whims