Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER i.-ContInued.

CHAPTER i.-ContInued.
II wish I could help you, old man.
Al 1t is, my own salary barely serves
to keep me in neckwear. Wall streets
great fun, but it doesn't pay much;
that is, not unless you play the game
yourself"
Howard smiled feebly as he re-
piled:
Nonsense wouldn't accept help
OF that sort. I'm not reduced to So
Letting charity yet. | guess I'd pre-
fer the river to that But if you hear
OF anything, keep me in mind"
The athlete made no response. He
was apparently lost in thought when
suddenly ne blurted out:
Say. Jeffries. you haven't got any
money, have you-say. a couple OF
thousand dollars?"
Howard stared at the questioner as
II he doubted his sanity.
Two thousand dollarsl" he .gasped.
DO you suppose that I'd be wearing
out shoe leather looking for a job.
If had SCOOP"
Coke looked disappointed as he re-
piled:
oh, of course. I understand you
haven't 1T on you only thought you
might be able to raise it."
Why do you ask?" inquired How
ard, his curiosity aroused.
Coke looked around to see If any
one was listening. Then in a whis-
per he said:
It's cinch. If you had $4,000,
you and | could make snug little
fortune. Don't you understand? In
my ONCE l get tips. Pm on the inside.
l know in advance what the big men
are going to do. When they start to
move certain stock up. I'm on the
Job. Understand? If you had $4,000,
l could raise as much. and we'd pool
our capital. starting in the business
ourselves-on small scale. of course.
II we hit it right we might make a
nice income"
Towards mouth watered. Certain
ly that was the kind of life he liked
best. The feverish excitement of
gambling, the close association with
rich men, the promise of luxurious
style of living-all this appealed to
him strongly. But what was the use
Where could he get $4,000? He
couldn't go to his father. He shook
his head.
I'm afraid not. old sport" he said
as they left the saloon and he held
out his hand to say good-by. But I'll
bear 1t in mind, and If things improve,
I'll look you up. So longl"
Climbing YEARLY up the dirty stairs
Of the elevated railroad. he bought a
ticket with one of the few nickels re-
seat in a north bound train started on
his trip back to Harlem.
The day was overcast, rain threat
ened A pail of mingled smoke and
mist hung over the entire city. From
the car window as the train wound
It's serpentine course in and out the
maze of grimy offices, shops and tene-
ments. everything appeared drab
dirty and squalid. New York was
seen at its ugliest. Ensconced In a
cross-seat, his chin leaning heavily
on his hand, Howard gazed dejectedly
out of the window. The DEPRESSING
outlook was in keeping with his own
state of mind.
How would the adventure end!
Reconciliation with his father was out
of the question. Letters sent home
remained without response He
wasn't surprised. He knew his pateI
too well to expect that he would re
lent SO soon. Besides, II the old mar
was SO internally proud, he'd show
E, him he had some pride. too. He'd
drown himself before he'd go down or
his knees. whining to be forgiven. His
father was dead wrong, anyway. His
marriage might have been foolish
Annie might be beneath him socially
She was not educated and her fathe,
wasn't any better than he ought t.
be. She did not talk correctly, he,
manners left much to be desired, q
times he was secretly ashamed of her
But her bringing up was her misfor
tune, not her fault. The girl hersel
was straight as de-. She had
heart of gold. She was far more In
tslliEent. far more likely to max,