The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-06-17

cake their Money from them as though
1t were only matter Oh course that
he should.
But as E'itZhugh steadily won Qugg
as steadily lost. When the game ended
at nine a. m. it was noticeable that
Of the five rnen sitting around the paG-
ded table k4neath the pail of tobacco
smoke and the green-shaded electric
lights Fitzhugh was the only one who
showed no ill sign of the thirteen
hours steady playing. He seemed as
fresh as when he started and appar-
emily was quite fit for another thir-
teen7hour session. When he "cashed
in" he was winner to the extent OF
some eighteen thousand dollars. The
professional gamblers had won few
thousands each. The rest had lost.
Quigg, who had left the game, was
not to be found in the hotel rotunda.
While Fitzhugh was walking about
looking for him the wheat pit specula-
tor, a jovial, red-faced man named
Henry Hunt, clapped him heartily on.
the shoulder and wrung his hand.
"Old man, I'd give million If l
could bluff like you. Where did you
learn how?"
sit comes naturally" smiled Fitz-
hugh.
Hunt glanced around and lowered
his voice. "Fitzhugh, I'm putting
through today one of the biggest
wheat deals I've ever handled,
and I'd like to let you in on 1t.
What time can + see you, and where?'
"Any time at any place."
"Meet me at Burton & Burton's,
then-brokers, you know, Board Of
Trade-at eleven sharp. Don't fail.
It's a big thing. SO long. Must hurry
Upon certain OF the casual acquaint-
ances he had made in La Sale street
Fitzhugh had taken pains to create
the impression of being the scion OF
highly respected family unknown to
the newspaper columns but possessed
of wealth. Hunt was one Of those thus
deluded. Others he had impressed in
different wise. But every man who
met him believed him to be person
of means. 1t was an emphatic point
with him to see to that.
In a secluded corner and low tone
Hunt explained his project very con-
cisely.
september wheat" said he, "opened
at ninety-eight and a quarter this
morning. A gang of bulls have inflated
it till she's like soap bubble-ready
to burst any moment A gigantic bear
raid is coming off here tomorrow that
will send September wheat down like
that''-throwing a cigar end to the
floor. ''These BEARS" he went on,
kicking the cigar aside, "have got mil
lions behind 'em, and they're going to
claw the entrails cut of those bulls.
They won't stop clawing us long as
there's live bull left. They're going
to sell-sell-sell. It'll be the biggest
smash you ever heard of. And the
man who's heading this big bear raid
is none other than Symington Otis"
"Otis?"
'As you know, of course, Otis has
always been one of the greatest bulls
in Chicago. Has that reputation. But
all of sudden he's gone over TO the
other side. l found it out last night.
Only handful besides myself know
it. 1t seems he's got it in for fellow
who was associated with him in a bull
charge a few months ago, and he's
going the smash that fellow if it takes
the last cent he's got. That's Otis all
over. Once you get in bad with him
you might as well jump in the lake"
$50 l was once given to under
stand" said Fitzhugh quietly.
.'You see where we come in, of
course. I'm only an outsider myself
but you Lord, what pile you can
make!"