The Washington herald., 1912-02-18

ulHeIent pOrtraitS on the walls anC
waved an enthusiastic hand toward tn,
heads of big game which were hung
along the hallway leading to the pan
eled dinng-room. This was a small
oblong chamber, wainscoted in dark
oak and hung with heavy red curtains
A bright FIRE blazed upon the hearth
and shaded light threw soft bril-
lance over the tablecloth.
We sat down to silver service and
to far more dinner than was good for
me. confess that / drank deeply OF
the bubbling champagne at my elbow
and that my spirits rose with as much
lightness as the fairy globules in my
glass. One delicious course was fol-
lowed by another, until, at the end,
was as satisfied with the. world-and
with mine host in PARTICULARS any
country gentleman could ever have
been. Tower discoursed upon big
game shooting. upon South Africa, the
Himalayas-where he had been for ad-
venture-and the tropics, where he had
been for health. He was brilliant, in
tercsting, amusing. After dinner we
retired to the library, and there, before
the sparkling fire, while the wind
moaned and whistled throughout, he
continued his narrative of adventures by
sea and land, which were most interest
ing, for he was a magnetic man, as !
have said before.
Il do not know how long we thus
sat remember that one Of the SER
wants entered, and that Tower told him
to 60 to bed, for he himself would put
out the lights. II must have been fully
o'clock when / interrupted my host
with the remark that it was my inten-
ton to retire to my own chamber.
But said Tower, i have not yet
told you what invited you to listen
TO. / have not mentioned TO you the
reason for my sudden collapse. II is a
long story and a sad one, WHICH does
not rebound TO my credit
His face had assumed a far different
expression from that which il had worn
before. He looked dignihed, grave, and
sad, and he glanced furtively at the
door as he bent forward and began to
speak.
Twenty years ago / was a strug-
Cling broker on change he said.
Through various panics and numerous
yicissitudes | had come TO have a fair
fertune. but, like every man OF busi-
ness, and particularly stock broker, |
was anxious to increase the amount OF
my capital until it reached such an
amount that ! could retire to a farm
and spend my declining years in lead
ing the existence of country gentle
man. Adopting the same tactics which
have used in this campaign in which
we have just been engaged, ! engineered
deal in mining securities-copper
shares-which was to net me and my
two eo-workers (they were both more
wealthy than - snug fortune.
manipulated our chosen stock up ten
points and were never headed. We
closed at twelve points rise, sold out,
and then let her collapse. Some one
was bound TO get caught in the deluge,
and several were badly bitten
One day / was sitting in my Office
when the door opened and Jack Faver-
sham came in. Jack was a thin fellow
with pale face and auburn hair that
gave him an unhealthy look, but now
he appeared even more haggard than
usual
"''I understand, Mr.. Tower, that
you are on the right side of the fluctua-
lions in Yellow Jacket Copper" he said
in frightened sort OF a way.
"."Hpw far are you going to let her
gol"
This nettled me.
""What business is that of yours !"
answered, tartly.
9" Its lot of my business. I'm
caught"
well, what of itl" / said. "Some
fools always do get a skinning in a
big deal"
He came nearer and sat down fac
ing me. will never forget the ex-
preston on his face.
"'"You've caught me bad" he said
"and my wife will go to the poorhouse
unless you let up. I've got everything
] own in that stock on a fve-point
margin, and | am unable to put up any
more. For Gods sake, man, force the
price back three points and let me out
even. Otherwise / am ruined-ruined.' y
His voice ended in wall of despair.
1t was a hard position for me II
/ let go and forced the price back !
Il -N.l N.a.s A n l.