Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-18

eyes were glued on the novel decora-
tons Of Wallingford's desk. These
decorations consisted entirely of
money-stacks of FIVE dollar bills, of
tens, twenties, fifties, hundreds, FIVE
hundreds and thousandsl There were
packages Of money still unopened, and
from slightly projecting drawer
peeped other money.
Anybody else out there, Jesse
Iames?" yelled WaIlingford.
mo, sir" replied the boy.
"Then lock the door," ordered Wal
lingford. "Mr. Daw, here's your ST.
000," and he nonchalantly selected the
money from the assortment on the
desk. "You may get In for hundred
tomorrow"
"All right" assented Blackie care
lessly and held the money loosely In
his hand. Passing Walingford hun
dred, he stuffed the rest In his vest
pocket with his thumb. "Your tomor-
rows pool all made up, Mr.. Walling-
fordp
"Al but a twenty-five dollar share"
answered the clever investor. 81 was
going to let old man Dokes have that,
but he didn't show up. Moreover, I'm
afraid Dokes can't keep his mouth
shut. If anybody tells about this pool,
out he goes. You may have Dokes'
twenty-five"
mo, thanks" drawled Blackie. ~
don't like odd change. Carry 1t your
self"
"Me?' laughed Walllngford. "Why
should | fuss with twenty-five dollar
share? Look at what have left" And
with negligent sweep Of his hand he
indicated the litter of money.
NJ Perigord had been trying to speak.
but he had been too excited.
"If it will be any favor TO monsieur
will take it." he offered. "Me, Andre
Perigord."
II don't like to let strangers in," hes
Itated Wallingford, with frown, "but
think l shall let Mr.. Perigord in on
this pool, Mr.. Daw; that is, until it
closes next week." And Wallingford
smiled qulzzically as he turned away.
IL am all gratitude" fervently ex-
claimed NJ. Perigord, whipping out his
pocketbook and planking down his $25
in hurry, lest Wallingford should
change his mind.
You're on" said Wallingford, toss
Ing the money carelessly on to the desk
with the other greenbacks.
NJ. Perigord smiled and smiled. "How
much shall l receive for my $25?" he
wanted to know.
IL guarantee nothing" returned Wal
lingford, casting on him cold look. II
may not make you over hundred dol
lars. l may even lose your money"
Both Blackie and NJ. Perigord laugh.
ed at that absurd proposition.
Again NJ. Perigord ventured a ques.
ton. "If l may intrude upon mon.
sieur's courtesy, how does he make
such enormous profits?"
81 never TELL" declared Wallingford.
Viola" accepted Perigord. IN. Wal.
lingford, | thank you. NJ. Daw,
thank you also. Shall come over to-
morrow to get my money!
"No, don't bother me. I'll drop in and
hand 1t to you," stated Wallingford
carelessly. Good day, gentlemen"
They filed out Of the office, and Wal.
lingford called Blackie back, and NJ.
Perigord, listening intently, heard Wal
lingford say:
Your friend Perlgord is very agree
able. He is generous. He looks trust
ing"
Andre Perigord's heart was glad.
What he did not hear Walllngford say
was this:
Double right back, Blackie, and help
me take care of this real coin. Well
leave the phony stuff here, but I'm
nervous since had Onion Jones and
Chlnchilla Williams and big Tim Mea-
zen In this room"
At last Andre Perigord was a happy
man. He was profiting by American
cleverness, and he had the most clever
man in America as his investing agent.
On the first day Wallingford handed
him $500 for his $25. On the second
day Wallingford handed him $500 for
his $25. On the third day Wallingford
handed him $275.
Andre Perigord smiled. He was be-
coming clever. He knew now where
Wallingford made these enormous prof
lts-on the bourse, the Stock Exchange.
That was where these clever Ameri.
cans made their quick fortunes. It
was the only place. But Andre Peri
CORD was wise. He said nothing. He
held his peace and took the money.
1t was shame that the amount was,
after all, so small. 1t was tin horn.
If he could only invest in the larger
business which Walllngford was about
to launch, then he might be a million
aire quickly and go back to Paris and
do nothing and be a gentleman and
wear different dress shirt every even.
Ing. He must be more agreeable to Mr..
Wallingford, more generous, more trust
full.
"Well, Andre" said Wallingford on
the fifth day, "the little pool is ended.
Here is your last rakeof-$225."
But there will be another pool" pro-
tested Andre. "Cannot monsieur make
me place In that, ever so little
place, only twenty-five or fifty or a
hundred dollars"