The Lamar register., 1914-12-09
WALLINGFORD
In HIS PRIME
continued from Page -

1fockT BuBSesteu Eetcy- vi, yes
somebody ought to buy it Bessmers
stirring around down there. and 1t
ought to be worth pretty near what
you paid for 1t before long. An,
shucksI Why, I'll buy it myself on
speculation OF course l won't give
you quite what it cost you, but I'm
willing to gamble $3.50 on your ten
shares. Don't mention 1t. old horse
Bring it right down and get your mon
ey; and say. Binky. come the back
way. will your"
Petey Wilks loved that little deal
He could buy his friend Binky's stock
to replace his own out of WallingfOrd's
money and have $500 left
He need not have hurried. for Wal
lngford intended to give him at least
twenty-four hours to think up the bril-
liant scheme Of buying Binky's stock
Instead, -walllngford went straight to
the stakeholder whom Blackie had de
scribed as follows:
"Thaddeus Putnam, blind in one eye.
but can see a dollar at double the dis
lance with the other. Friend Of the
village mint, who is old Ell SpOoger
Fifty shares. but watch Eli and notice
the Hennesey marks In front Of his
name"
Old Thaddeus looked with stern dis
approval on Wallingford's extensively
clean shirt, and he steadfastiy refused
to sell his Bessmer stock at any price.
Wallingford. delighted to find him 30
obdurate, offered him SIS. 500 and
finally $11O At that figure he paused
for fear Thaddeus might sell. but Thad-
deus did not invite more urging.
mo. sirr' he hoarseiy wheezed Il
never 60 back on my judgment
bought my stock from young William
Bessmer because thought he was
coming man. and he is coming. I'll
never sell my stock till he proves that
was right, and he's proving it"
~very WE'LL reiinquished Walling-
ford, with a sigh. and now beginning
his campaign on Ell Spooger. whose
name Blackie had marked with three
stars. Apparently you won't sell. but
at least you will not advise your
friends to hold on. will your
an make no promises of the kind"
wheezed Thaddeus. to whom such an
idea had not occurred. MY judg-
ment's safe. and | always advise my
friends to follow It. II they don't they
can't blame me-"
After this Wailingford went home,
well satisfied with bis days work. But
be had not finished 1t. for just before
dinner Petey Wilks came to him and
jubnantiy sold him Binky Croats'
stock. battling desperately for $So a
share-and winning.
In the morning Wallingford went to
see the next ten share man on the re-
port "Spraddles Martini" Blackie had
listed him. Keeps books in the pIow
factory and walks like one legged
turtle Human BIlliken and like him."
spraddles' face was as awkward as
his body. and nothing on 1t seemed to
be quite In the right place. His mind
was well located and gracefully active.
however
my Bessmer stockT' he remarked,
poking a pen behind his left ear, which
was better suited for the purpose than
his right one II guess you must be
the man Petey Wilks wants to sell 1t
to. He tried to buy 1t from me last
night. at all the way from $40 up to
$3.50 a share. but I knew that II
Petey was willing to pay $3.50 It was
worth 800. I'd "a sold 1t to him for
that. but since you're a stranger I'll
Vet you have 1t for $40"
He chuckled cheerfully as he an
nounced this but he sobered as Wal
lingford promptly dealt him out LOO.
I'm afraid didn't charge You
enough" he worried
This stock is worth almost any
price to my firm" admitted Walling.
ford recklessly.
Anyhow. I've got 1t all over Petey
Wilks." Sprnddles philosophically con-
soled himself as he produced the stock.
Are you willing to pay $40 for all Of
this you can get?'
"ITl give you $40 for every share
Won can bring me to the Eagle hotel.
Just inquire for Mr.. Wallingford."
81 wouldn't need your name at the
Eagle" declared Spraddles. 81 could
describe you 20 well that Curly Wash
burn would turn around to see II you
wasn't standing right there. Will you
pay s115?"
81 might IL you dickered with me
hard enough" laughed Wal,ingford.
"YouTl get some of til. hardest dick
se1ng that was ever done to you, :"
promised Spraddles. reaching an awk-