Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-08-15
Break" in the
Market
BY NORMAN e. STAPLES

"Ho W much have we toward
that little place of our own,
JohnT inquired his wife one morning
at breakfast. ITS almost $4,000 now,
isn't it?"
Johns face flushed. He nearly
choked on a mouthful of coffee.
"Why, I-er-I don't know, Ellen.
I've been too busy TO notice lately"
Don't you think we had better buy
soonT 5 .as maau
"No--No. Not now. We can't buy
now. IL mean it's bad time to buy
now" he replied in confusion, gulping
down the remainder of his coffee and
rising hurriedly. Got to get going, or
I'll miss my train"
Good Lord he thought as he ran
for the train. Telling her he didn't
know--it was a bad time to buy-but
how was he ever going to tell her the
truth? atH H
He met Benson on the train.
Gee, man." he said to Benson,
know where | can borrow $S,000p
BE yourself, Elton" replied Benson
Anyone who has $4,000 is holding on.
to 1t. Why, what's wrongp
"That was bum tip you gave
me-" said Elton.
"No," insisted Benson, "it was a
good tip, but how was l to know it
would crash like that? But it's only
a matter of time. Hold on, man, yours
will come back. You don't have to
worry. You bought outright, didn't
your"
Elton didn't reply as he opened his
paper and turned to the financial
page. There 1t was. Consolidated
Flour Mills. AT IA. The figures
seemed to mock him-and he had
bought at 50-not outright as Benson
had suggested. but on margin. He
could buy more that way. Now
wiped out-all gone. Eight Thousand
Dollars. Hadn't even heard from the
broker. Fool and his money are soon
parted-that's tia fool-he was a
fool. These thoughts, running riot
through his head, made him dizzy.
For five years he and Ellen had
scrimped and saved. She had trusted
him to deposit the money in the bank,
retain the bank book, and keep the
savings inviolate. He had failed-tak-
ing fool chance to double the money
when, after the Wall Street crash,
stocks began to go up. She had asked
about the little place this morning.
In anrldnff hnor RI har n foil
her their dream was shattered. He
got out as the train reached his sta
ton. His thoughts still haunted him
as he wandered around like a sleep.
walker He must tell her-he would
go mad If he didn't. He called the
office, reporting sick, and turned home.
ward. ..
Ellen was surprised to see him.
"I-er-l-felt kinda Sick" he ex-
planned truthfuly enough. "I-I-have
something to tell you"
Br-nnng.
"Just a minute, John, that's the
phone"
1t was Ellen's sister. During the
conversation which followed John
paced nervously back and forth.
'Why, John, you haven't taken off
your hat and coat" said Ellen, re-
turning.
mo Ellen. I-I-have something to
tell you"
Buzzzzzz-B
"Oh, that's the laundry man." she
said hurrying to the back door.
More nervous pacing back and forth
while Ellen paid the talkative laundry
man and took in bundles Of laundry.
"John. you don't look WE'LL" said
Ellen anxiously. "You had better get
right to bed"
"No, Ellen. sit down. I-er-have
something | must tell you" he said
desperately.
Br-nnnng. went bell.
"That must be the mail man, dear"
said Ellen.
John went to the door, wondering
if and how he would ever get the con.
fesson off his chest 1t was becom
ing harder every minute.
A postal card advertising a sale of
hats and a letter addressed to him
lie ripped open tine letter. II was
from the broker.
Dear Mr. Elton:
1--WE regret that due to clerical er.
ror your purchase order was lost. We
have $1,000 posted to your credit and
would he glad to receive instructions
regarding purchases. or will make suit.
able suggestions II you wish. We
would have notified you sooner, bur
have been delayed owing to the large
amount of business we have handled
in the last few days. Regretting our
carelessness. and hoping to serve you.
we are
Yours truly.
Meade Il Dodd Brokers'"
John bounded up the stairs jam
ming the letter in his back pocket He
handed Ellen the card advertising the
millinery.
aust an old advertisement" he said.
his eyes shining.
"Bui this sounds like bargain.
dear, and | need new hat, too"
Fine" lie agreed Ego over and buy
one, buy a half.dozen, II you want"
"Why. John, you're feeling better
now, aren't you? What was It you
wanted to tell me. dearT
"Why-l-er-I-saw a peach OF a
little place today" he suffered I'VE
had better buy It right away, don't you
think, Elem"
"But. dear, this morning sou said
1t was a bad time to buy"
"Yes," replied John, however, con-
ditlons have changed-er consider
able since this morning."
Flns.
nTrnmONr m DnuTn