Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 862) (1922 04 07)

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2902 APRIL 7, 1922 The door opened,admitting Joe and the a. STAR “There's your prisoner, officer.” said Joe. pointing > at the well-dressed man bound in the chair. “What's the charge?” asked the cop “Swindling He's a money shark. and a mighty mean one, too.”

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= S. ~ Issn ssuied Ww —Subseription price, $3.50 ‘est 23d Street, New York, the Post at 5 =~ No. 862 ° tered as ew York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. ‘NEW YORK, APRIL 7, 1922 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Ke ear; Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. Harry B. Wolff. Publisher, Ine., 166 Second-Class Matter, October 4, 1911, "APR 25 Price 7 Cents - AMONG THE SHARKS | = OR, THE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF WALL STREET By A SELF-MADE MAN CHAPTER I.—Our Hero Goes to Work for a a Money-Lender. <. “Nicholas Croft, room 605, “sixth floor,” said - Joe son, looking at the wall actor | of the tenants of the Anchor Building, in all _ Street, one morning. “That's the gentleman. I p boy I Soe get the job. 3 took the elevator up, got out at the sixth floor, and was directed to the end of the corridor running toward Pine street. He found 605 with- gut trouble. No. 604 was lettered simply “Pri- ” The door bore the sign, “Nicholas Croft. ey Loaned.” - _ Joe opened the door and walked in, coming to $ ‘Eos at the railing which divided the room in evo. . The outer half, where he stood, was plied with four chairs, a cuspidor, a map of -of the Borough of Brooklyn, with a view of 4@ ocean in perspective. The immer half was nished with a big, somewhat rusty-looking safe, a tall desk, at which sat, perched on a stool, a white-haired old man, busy over a thick ledger, ‘g@ rolltop desk witha gm ag it and another beside it, at the second window, a copying press, Setter ile cabinet, and. other articles that go With a counting room. The old gentleman dis- ‘mounted from his perch and came to the rail. - *¥s Mr. Croft in?” asked Joe. “Just come. You want to see him?” ” . vat is your business with him?” answered his advertisement for a clerk and er and received this letter from him, ask- to call.” old man took che letter and disappeared h a door that communicated with Room fe came back in a moment and told Joe to into the room. The boy did so and found elf in presence of a well-dressed man, res, a black mustache and a eo was furnished ug, a bookease, a fair-sized safe, and es, which included several chairs, < d eerie on’the walls. Croft pointed ir beside his desk. ne is Thompson?” he said. poppe ne menti In my a Sort employed David- aes * : wi t New York on one wall, and a bird’s-eye \ son, stockbroker, for about three years as his messenger.” Croft pulled Joe’s reply to his advertisement out of a pigeonhole and ran his eyes over it. “T see.- You have a recommendation from Mr. Davidson, I suppose?” “Here it-is. I would be with him yet if he had not retired from business.” Croft read the recommendation over, .which was couched in the usual style, but spoke very highly of the boy. ; “Pll give Pape a trial, Thompson, at ten dollars a week. If you pan out the way I want you will get more later. I want a confidential clerk— one on whom I can thoroughly depend. You un- derstand?” said the money-lender, rubbing his hands one over the other while he fixed Joe with his black eyes. “Yes, sir. I guess I can fill the bill.” “I hope so. am dealing not only with bro- kers but with all sorts of persons who require loans of money. The business has‘its peculiari- ties, and you must get used to them. Remember that my interest is to be your first consideration at all times.” : “Of course.” “You will take charge of the miscellaneous loan end. I make the loans, of course, after which they will come under your jurisdiction. You must keep a sharp watch over your department. Most of the loans are paid in instalments, and it will be your duty to advise me when a bor- rower defaults in his paymert. Excuses receive no attention whatever in this office. The money has got to be paid. Now, we will go outside and I will initiate you into your duties. He led the way to the desk beside the window, asked the old man for the key and opened it. The raising of the top automatically unlocked the drawers on either side of the-bottom of the desk: Croft opened the top drawer nearest him and showed. Joe that it contained a card index » in which the names of the borrowers in his department were kept in the order in which their accounts became due. In the next drawers, with other things, was kept a book index, from A to Z, of the customers represented in the ecard index. In the big safe . the money-lender kept an index case, in whieh was a record of certain information extracted from borrowers when they; applied for a Joan. It was on this information that Mr. Croft de 9 5 . cided whether or not he would let the applicant ee

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, Py 2 Girls . will sig ”Jaughed Joe “Of course.” smiled Hale, “but Mr. Croft didn’t z F have the money he Wanted. Brokers and other people who got loans on approved securities did not appear in this list, and with them Joe was to have nothing to do, directly. The old bookkeeper kept the run of those ac- counts. For something over half an hour Croft Wag engaged with his new employee, posting him in his duties, and when he left the boy to him- self, and returned to his room to see a customer, Joe suspected that his boss was to a certain ex- tent a loan “shark.” Joe had heard a lot about the fraternity, and did not have a very exalted opinion of their methods. It had never struck him that the time would come when he would enter the employ of one akin to them. Evidently he had done so, and the boy wished that his new boss was in some other business. Ten dollars a week, with a raise in prospect, was not to be sneezed at, however, and as he needed the money, he could not afford to quarrel with his job. No loans in Joe’s department came due that day, but a new applicant had been gyanted $100, and he was called upon to add his name to his list of debtors. The customer signed six notes, a ting $1440, the $40 being the interest and “expenses” of making the loan. Should he default even for a day in one of his payments he would have additional expense to meet in the shape of a protest fee, a brokerage fee, and a collection cha This was the disadvantage fa who had no — security to put up. Although Mr. Croft had a considerable number of such customers on his books, they did not ——— the bulk of the business done by him. e larger part of his money was put out on call or time on gil ilt-edged security among people connected with the old financial district. ‘he old man attended to this part of the busi- ness. That afternoon a broker whom Joe knew re in after a loan and the trader recognized “Is this where you are now, Thompson?” asked the broker. “Yes, sir.” “How long have you been here?” “This is my first day.” “Well, take my name in to Mr. Croft.” Joe did so and the trader was admitted and secured a loan on a block of stock. When Joe worked for Broker Davidson: he got off for the day around four. His office hours were now nine to five. Mr. Croft went away about four, and _ Visitors calling after that hour had to call on the Sriden Ska if they wanted to do business with him. hen five o’clock came that day Joe handed such things as went into the safe over to the old man, who put them away. He took advantage of the chance to get a little better ac- quainted with his office companion. His name was Hale, and he seemed to be a pleasant sort of man. Joe rather liked him and the sentiment seemed to be returned. - He told Joe that his prederessor was a young _ woman whe had held her end up to the satisfac- tion of Mr. Croft, but she left to get married, and the money-lender was so put out about it that he said he wouldn’t have another woman in get. married when they get the ee ere , ‘ ~ « 2 ™ AMONG THE SHARKS want Miss Richmond to leave because she was . so useful to him. She was a very smart 1 woman, and she did things up the way he ikea There was no nonsense about her. I never thought a woman could——” : He stopped abruptly. “Could what?” said Joe. “Could be so businesslike,” said Hale. “That isn’t what he was going to say first,” thought Jee, who was a shrewd observer. “I hope I will give Mr. Croft said aloud. : The old man gave him a curious look. - “You'll have to if you expect to stay,” he said. “T intend to do my best.” : “You are not troubled with sentiment, I sup- pose?” “Sentiment! What do you mean?” The old man scratched his chin and looked hard at the boy. “You'll learn what I mean after you’ve been here a while,” he said. “Business is carried on here in a very matter-of-fact way. We have a certain line o prioscaxe from which we do not vary. Those who have dealings with us, particu- larly in your department, must conform to our rules and regulations. Understand?” “That seems to be all right. A man has the right to conduct his business in his own way.” — The old man nodded. of “We conduct our business in our way. You will have to fall in with that way. You must allow no considerations of any kind—any kind,” repeated the old man, with emphasis, “to sway you from the methods of this office. If you show any weakness, it will react to your disadvan <j ale reached for his hat and coat, told Joe to report Say at nine o’clock in the morning — and left him to lock up, which he did right away. equal satisfaction,” he — 2 - CHAPTER II—The Thompsons At Home, Joe Thompson was the son of a little widow who lived on the upper East Side, where rents were cheap in comparison with more pretentious ; localities. He had a sister named Grae tiful girl, who was as sweet as she was ul. Grace was one year his junior, and was employed ~ as cashier in a large butcher shop in Lenox ave- — nue, near One Hundred and Twenty-fifth ie Brother and sister were devoted to each other, — just as they were both devoted to their mother, — : His two weeks.and two days of enforced idle- ness made some difference to his mother, pg a ing was pretty high to what it used to be, she had not saved anything for a rainy da’ ing to a two-months’ illness Grace had suffere some months before, the expenses of which had Pry cS Toes

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AMONG THE SHARKS 3 = eaten up the little money she had had im a say- ‘in = That's why Joe was uncommonly anxious te get ‘a new place, and why he felt so good when he went home that afternoon. It was about six when he entered the five-room flat they occupied. His mother was in the kitchen cooking supper sand the smell of the steak made Joe’s mouth ’ water. They always had plenty of meat, for _ Grace got it at a reduction from the regular re- tail rate, which was high at her store, owing to the class of customers catered to, and she brought “some home with her every evening. “Mother, I’ve got gocd news for you,” said Joe jubilantly. ee 3 : - “I’m glad to hear it,” smiled the little widow. “Have you got a position at last?” _ “Yes. I’m a clerk now at ten per.” -.. “This is two dollars more than you got with “Mr. Davidson. You will be able to make up - what lost.” Ss “Tt will take me six months to do that, but by _* that time I may get a raise.” ~ *What—so soon?” ; , _. “My new boss intimated as much.” ~ “You must have got a nice place.” * *J don’t know how nice it is, but it seems to be all.right as far as I can judge from my limited 2 I’m with Nicholas Croft, a Wall © Street money-lender, in the Anchor Building.” + *That sounds good,” said his mother. Anything that had the ring of the financial © district sounded good to her. ; se got along all right to-day, so I think I’ll ES - ‘Ss hold the providers. I hope hoid the whole end up myself and let Grace have a Te It is really too bad she has to work.” “She doesn’t complain, Ever so many gir have to work to help support their families. It wasn’t so when I was young. Then the girls helped around the house. Things have changed greatly in the last few years.” _ “I guess so. Why, almost half the passengers -the trains, morning and evening, are girls _ Boing to or coming from work.” At ae that juncture Grace came in and was soon : of the good news. ‘dpm awfully glad that you’ve got a position t , Joe,” she said. t go somewhere of an evening, now, and é mother.” o. How much pay are you going to before?” : ; to that his wife had been sick a long time and » the expenses of her illness used up all his ready money outside of his wages. He found it neces- sary to borrow money to pay the cost of the boy’s funeral and the doctor’s bill. Somebody referred him to a loan agent and he got $150 on the strength of his position, without security. He arranged to pay back so much a week. One Sat- urday night he lost his week’s wages on his way home, and he wrote the loan man, asking for a little time. Next day a collector called on him and demanded the amount due, plus $8 charges. The butcher protested, but it did no good. “The loan man threatened to cali on his boss and demand his money if he didn’t pay up. The butcher borrowed the money on his wages and paid up. But this only put him in a worse posi- tion, and in a month he defaulted in his payment to the loan man again and was charged another $8. Finally the loan man agreed to cancel the old note if he would make a new one, which put him deeper in his debt. The butcher felt competed to do it. Soon afterward he got sick and was away from the store two weeks. He was dunned and abused by the loan man, with charges piling up against him which he couldn’t pay at all. After making an effort he threw up his hands and shot himself.” “That was tough,” said Joe. “On the top of that the loan man tried to get the boss to pay him something, but he was thrown out of the store.” “Good! Served him right: What did your boss have to do with his employee’s debt?” “Nothing, but as there was a week’s wages coming’ to the butcher the loan man thought he could intimidate the boss into paying it to him. Afterward when it was sent to the widow the loan man called on her and threatened to have her arrested if she didn’t give it to him. People in the house interfered in her behalf and the loan man had to get out, but they say he used awful language, denouncing the dead man as a swindler, and nearly driving the poor woman, crazy,” said Grace. , “If I’d been there I think I'd have kicked him | downstairs,” said Joe, in a burst of indignation. “Oh, no, he. could have had you arrested for assault. You can’t take the.law in your own ~ “Pm afraid there is no law that will reach those men. He shotlld have been pulled in for creating a disturbance and using bad language.” Pe suppose he’ would have got off with a small e. “Even so. He would have been hit in’a tender spot—his pocket.” x _ “We took up a collection for the widow to-day in both stores. ave fifty cents. It was as much as I could afford—more, in fact, for I did not know Joe had got a position.” “Maybe the sacrificé: you made in so a cause got me the job. Who knows?” said Joe. “A sort of casting your bread on the waters.” ~ “I don’t know,” said his sister. “I felt so “sorry for that poor woman I would have gone . hun; a whole day to help her.” “You're a good girl, Grace, and I’m proud of you,” said Joe, kissing her. “It is the poor who — always help the.poor.” - ; , ~ Next morning Joe carried a note from Croft to : rat | -

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sd 4 another money-lender, whose office was on Broad- way. “Well, what do you want?” asked the red-head- ed office boy, who confronted him. “I want to see Mr. Steel,” said Joe. brought a note for him.” “Hand me the note and I’ll take it in,” said the youth. “No, you won't,” myself,” “TY don’t think you will!” leered the lad with the auburn locks. “All right. The note goes back. My orders from Mr. Croft were to deliver it in person.” “Are you from Croft?” said the youth, with a change in his manner. “I am. I have the honor to be his general loan clerk.” “Why didn’t you say so at first? You must be new there.” : “T am.” “What is your name?” Joe told him. “Wait a minute and Ill tell Miss Baker.” A minute later Joe was ushered into the pri- vate room and the presence of a lady of perhaps thirty, who had a very business air about. her. “T’ll take the note pa brought,” said the lady. “Tt is for Mr. Steel.” as am Mr. Steel,” said the lady, with a slight e. “You mean you represent Mr. Steel?” * The lady nodded and held out her hand. - “I transact all the business in this office. Mr. Croft should have told you. How long have you been with him?” “This is my second day.” “T see. You are new. Whom did you work for before you went to Mr. Croft?” “A stockbroker named Davidson.” “When you call hereafter on business for Mr. Croft ask for Miss Baker. Now I will take the note.” : Joe handed it to her and she opened and read it. She went to a large safe in the room, pulled out a certain drawer, the interior of the safe being fitted al her with drawers, like a jewel- er’s safe, only the drawers were deeper, consulted a card index, earied to her desk, wrote some- thing on a pad, enclosed it in an envelope, ad- dressed it to Mr. Croft and handed it to Joe, On his way out Joe noted the fact that all the em- ployees of the office were women except the red- eee boy, who seemed to think a whole lot of “T’ve replied Joe. “I'll take it in ra _ himse} age Thompson,” he said, with a grin, Joe nodded offhand and eft. the office. word. She said you should have told me.” “That’s a fresh lad,” he thought; “but you - might expect that when he’s thrown in with a lot of women.” He hurried ae to the office and handed in eat ar Areas Mr. Steele,” h ido: 4F ’t see Mr. ie,” he sai “T gave_ oum letter to Miss Baker. She told me she was As_she appeared to be, I took her at her The ghost of a grin wreathed Mr. Croft's as serie tease ingen lines as those of a bank; b t 4 AMONG THE SHARKS CHAPTER III.—Frank Havens. About one o’clock that day, just after Joe had returned from his lunch, a young man of perhaps ~ twenty-one years of age, came into the office and asked for Mr. Croft. “Not in at present,” said Joe, regarding the visitor with some interest, because of his looks oe the frank and ingenuous expression of his ace. Joe had never met any one who attracted him — so much as this young fellow. : “When do you expect him in?” said the caller politely. : “He is likely to be in any moment. That gen- tleman sitting yonder is waiting to see him. You had better take a seat.” The young man ‘sat down and Joe returned to his desk. Presently he heard old man Hale hem- — ming and hawing in what seemed to be a signifi- — cant way, and looked up.. The bookkeeper we tioned him to come to his desk. “Want to see me, Mr. Hale?” said Joe. “Yes. That young chap who just came in and asked for Mr. Croft is one of your debtors, His name is Havens, and he belongs to your de- partment. There isn’t the least bit of use of his waiting to see Mr. Croft. He’ll only be referred to you to attend to. If I’m not mistaken, he’s come here looking for an extension of time on his current note, which will be due probably to- morrow or next day. You can tell by looking up his name in your card index. Go back to your desk and make yourself acquainted with his ac- — count as it stands, and then call him to your desk and hear what he has to say. ei “You'll find he’s after an extension. If he wasn’t he wouldn’t be here a day or two in ad- vance of his time. None of our debtors are throwing the money back at us. They hold on to it ti the last gun is fired, as a rule, and then — most of them come up grudgingly, as as Let will — learn when you are better acquainted with the business. Remember in dealing with de wal man that you must keep up a stiff front. He will doubtless hand you some hard luck story. That’s” 4 what we always get from these le when they — find the shoe beginning to pinch. Te we were to. x give an inch, they’d want an ell. Don’t let thing this chap tells you move you to yield an eyelash in the way of accommodation. “Mr. Croft won’t stand for it, so you'd Gate A hurt yourself in his estimation, Bhs you'd do | ; the young fellow no good. I tell you this, son, because I rather like you, and I want you to. hold on here. Recollect, there is no sentiment in business in general, and least of all in this of-* fice.” his ledger, and Joe; The old man turned to feeling a bit eheematertalaes for at that moment across his brain flashed the sad story his Ripert had told at the supper table the evening before about the butcher and the loan shark, returned to his desk. He knew that Mr. Croft was not . Reser to be < 8 — -but a regular ~ money-lender, whose dealings were, ene sumedly fair and above-board, and along ‘the ee wee = ie had ; ae S apesitak 3 athe em Ae

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_ gavored strongly of the loan-shark methods, as he was beginning to find out. _ Had he looked into a few of the information - ecards in the big safe, he would have discovered ‘that the security on which these small loans had been made was the prospective wages of the bor- __ rower, and that each one had given some refer- _ nce, which had been looked up before he got the - money he wanted. Had he studied the cards - loser, he would have noticed that while his se- _. curity was what might be called intangible, and _ Not to be compared with real security, still the loan ards that Had Joe known more about is department he would have been a great deal more uncomfortable, for he was not at all in ac- ~ cord with loan-shark methods. _~ He was to learn many things before long, and “among others that his boss was indirectly con- n “with the loan-shark trust, which was do- ing a land-office business not only in New York and vicinity, but in every State in the Union. oe took out his index book and leoked up “Ha- -was hedged about by certain safe E could be brought to bear upon the debtor ‘if he tried to “welch.” his dep at vens.”-- From this he learned that the young man’s name was Frank, and that his payments ‘were due on a certain date. days hence. Evideritly old man Hale was good at guessing. : It was easy to find Frank Havens’ card in the index box. It was near the front, and gave brief- all the particulars of his loan, with the list of ie various credits on the back. He had origi- : borrowed $75 and had agreed to repay it eleven monthly instalments of $10 each, which ‘ineluded interest at six per_cent. and other costs. : “other costs” not specified on the card, were times the legal rate of interest. Joe was : when he noted that the borrower was ssessed $35 for the loan of $75 for eleven months though each month the debtor reduced the loan an eleventh part of the total extortionate “Holy mackerel! If this isn’t on the loan-shark der, I don’t know what is,” he thought. “A w must want the coin pretty bad when he’s ig to pay that much for the use of it.” ning the card over, he saw that Havens had otly paid five of the instalments, or $50, and owed $60. Perhaps for some reason Havens nted to pay another slightly in advance of the or perhaps he wanted two or three days’ ‘on the next payment. From what Joe had ‘about the loan-shark business he under- od that the fraternity were not in’ the habit of g any grace. At least not without some sation. Joe went to the rail and beckoned @ visitor. , hame is Frank Havens, I believe?” he @s,” said the young man, in a_tone that ed his natural refinement. ; : “Step inside the rail and tell me your busi- _ IT have an idea that if you wait to see Mr. ft he will refer you to me, as 1 have charge 2 miscéllaneous loan department, so you will 2 time by seeing me,” said Joe. When I was here last a young lady was at ” said Havens, as he walked inside. var es Sy ar ae That date was two. AMONG THE SHARKS < “I always paid her the money as it came due,” he went on, sitting down. “My next instalment will be due the day after to-morrow.” Joe nodded. 2 _ “Tt will be impossible for me to meet it for a week, so I called to ask for that much time.” “I’m afraid we cannot grant your request,” said Joe, in as kind a tone as possible. “We con- duct. our business on systematic lines, and Mr. Croft does not care to make any exceptions. Ev- ery one is treated alike. I am sorry, for I’d like to help you out, but I’m only an employee, and a new one at that, and have no say in the matter.” “But you say you have charge of this depart- ment?” “That is true; but I have no authority to make any concessions. If I did, Mr. Croft would veto them, and I would get a calling down.” “Tf you can’t do anything for me, I’d better see Mr. Croft, anyway. Perhaps when I show him how utterly impossible it is for me to pay under a week at least he will give me a chance. have heretofore paid up promptly.” “The record shows that you haye,” said Joe. “I have returned two-thirds of the money al- ready—I mean the money actually loaned to me. When I have settled the loan I will have paid $35 in interest and charges. That is a big pre- mium to give for a smal! loan, but circumstances compelled me to do it, for I had to have the mon- ey, and I had no security to give except the state- ment that I was steadily employed at good wages. My mother has been taken ill and I have used up. the money I had put aside to pay my instal- aon That’s why I can’t pay until next Mon- ay.” 3 At that moment Nicholas Croft came in and passed into his private room. Old man Hale went in after him. He came out in a few minutes and told the man who was waiting outside the rail to go inside. After an interval of fifteen min- utes the man came out and went away. Croft followed him, holding a paper in his hand. Ha- - oF Tg up and intescetie him. ~ “Well, what can I do for you?” said Croft coldly. ; He recognized Havens and suspected he was after a favor. The young man stated his case. “Hum!” said the money-lender. “You have been talking the matter over with my clerk, I suppose?” = “Yes, but he told me he had no authority to grant any concessions,” * “He is in charge of the department. If he said he could grant’ no time that settles it. I never interfere with the action of my clerk. He - knows his business. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be here. Good day, sir,” and Croft passed on to the old man’s desk. Havens hesitated and then stepped back to~ Joe’s desk. The boy had heard all that passed between his boss and the visitor. He saw that Croft had thrown the responsibility on him, and = yet he knew he could not act in the matter as he would have liked to. The boss’s words, probably. intended for his ear, “He knows his business If he didn’t he wouldn’t be here,” carried with — them a significance he could not disregard and hope to retain his job. He felt sorry for the — Be: Sere but he had to consider himself. = Havens « = = sts ae < wee rity begins at home,” and so ge Se

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4 6 made another appeal to him he felt obliged to turn it down, and the young man went away look- ing very downhearted. —_—_—- CHAPTER IV.—Joe Meets An Acquaintance. On his way back Croft stopped at Joe’s desk. “You gave the young man to understand that he must pay up promptly, I suppose?” he said, in a cold, businesslike tone. : “Yes, sir; that appears. to be the rule of the office.” “T am glad to see that you understand the rule and stick to it.. That is what I hired you for. We never make concessions of any kind under any circumstances. The young man asked. to see me in the first place, I understand?” “He did. I told him to wait, as I was not aware he had an account with you. When Mr. Hale, who ized him, told me that I was the person he should see, as it would do him no good to see you, I called him to my desk and heard what he had to say.” “That was right. I don’t wish to be bothered by any of these people who have small loans run- ning with us. I expect you to take care of them and give them their answer. As you are not ac- quainted with the debtors in your department yet, Mr. Hale will see that they ack your desk. Don’t waste any of your time with them if they are not prepared to pay up. Give them to under- stand in the fewest words that they must settle on the day their note comes due or it will be protested and the costs will be added to their ac- — i ; _Joe nodd “This young Havens’ note—is it due to-day?” asked Croft. Joe understood, and the money-lender returned to. hi m. boy went on -with his work, but he didn’t feel d. The pathetic face of t the young man wo Someday vende that wo a with a brok tead of “J wish I’d caught on with a broker ins’ ° this siaea® he thought. “I’m afraid Mr. Croft isa nyo. I won other Wall Street d pile up trouble for small sums at exorbitant profits than in regular business. By lending his money out on the instalment payment plan, he can loan the money over several times, and each time. big rake-off in I a what : the ; Pe Se bees oe Grrectinating his ref when bn en ag Ear sad Tok ; wer a new loan he did not have to pay that. : a % ee oF > | ee 7 . as. ~ wh 5 AMONG THE SHARKS char: a bonus in preportion to the sum wanted, which included everything. . “Then I suppose the $35 Havens has to pay in connection with his $75 loan figures up about $25 bonus?” said Joe. The old man nodded. - “Isn’t that kind of rubbing it on a chap?” : “He is not is ge to borrow the money, nor is he even compelled to pay the charge for inves- tigating his responsibility, if after having made the application he declines te take the loan.” “It seems to me that the more a person needs a loan the worse he gets soaked.” “Will you tell me where a man without tangible security to put up can borrow money at the legal rate?” “Nowhere that I know of unless he can get it~ from a relative or friend,” said Joe. tively must have money to settle some pressing. claim, or to pay an undertaker for e wife or his child out of Potters Field? brokers came into.existence to fill that want. If their charges are specially high it is because they” are taking a certain element of risk. loan money on furniture they’ve got to take the chance of the borrower defaulting in his first payment, in which they’ve got to go to the trouble and expense of taking possession of it and selling it at auction, and second-hand stuff of that kind doesn’t fetch much. - ; “Tf, like Mr. Croft, and others, they loan money on the strength of a man’s situation and the wages he earns, they run the risk of his losing his job and possible departure from the city. The ing. kis he Joan If they. i tf “Then what is a man going to do if he posi- — people who pay their loans up promptly have got ~ to stand for the swindlers, just as a tradesman charges his bad debts proportionately around among his customers who always pay their bills.” ~ “Your argument is good enough in its way, but in my opinion the proportion of money lost by a loan broker is small.in comparison with the pro- vision he makes to offset it. “For every dollar he loses he easily clears twenty.” 3 “You forget that it costs something to run his’ other expenses.” . ‘*business—in rent, clerk hire, advertising, and — “It costs every man in business something to run it, and most men in regular trade are satis- fied with a reasonable profit. . For instance, Mr. Croft does not look to make a profit of two or three hundred per cent. on what I call his r lar loan business. He must be guided by ie rate of money as offered, or asked for, at the ~ Exchan, the banks have lots of money to, loan out, the rate will be low. If the panes have little or no money to put out, it will be high, and the money- — lenders will have a field day,” said Joe. “You seem to understan matter,” said the old man. “T haven’t been in Wall Street three years for nething. I- believe in picking up all the informa- ion I can.” € something about “You’re a pretty smart boy,” nedded Hale. “A ply your smartness to Mr. C and he'll take care of you, | ae Next day a dudish clerk that worked in an of- fice next to that occupied by Mr. Davidson whem he was in business, eame into Mr. pla Joe knew him and he knew Joe. ~ roft’s interests: the” = , or he wouldn’t do any business. If — é p € | 2 4

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AMONG THE SHARKS 7 - “Ffello, Atkins! What can I do for you?” said Joe, meeting him at the rail. ~ The dude clerk seemed greatly taken aback and - Jooked confused. : _ “What are you doing here, Thompson?” he _ asked. Soa here, of course.” _*The dickens you say! Since when?” 7 ee I got the job.” - When did you get the job?” “The other day.” “J would like to see Miss Richmond.” _ “S$he’s not here any more.” and take a seat.” ‘money on the instalment plan. ~_*Look here, Thompson, you won’t give me ‘away, will you?” he said anxiously. *Give you away! How?” pai 2 is a better job than you had with David- said Atkins, putting his canceled note in S s *s more money in it,” replied Joe. *re 2 full-fledged clerk naw.” -fiedged, am 1? Then maybe I'll sprout a of wings soon,” grinned the boy. -mustache,-you mean.” for three or four years yet, if I do then.” do you like the position?” right,” said Joe carelessly. is the first time I ever got money on my said Atkins. “I got a tip on the market borrowed the money to make a killing.” id you make it?” o. A screw worked lf of my margin.” 3 ; ’ are paying the piper.” ; ] dear way to get money. I'll be hen I’m through coming here. I borrowed d the accommodation will cost me $40. + half of the $100, I’m $90 out on the loose in the deal and I now you it's 2 ps while working for of them were winners, tkins walked in rather sheepishly, for he felt. mortified that Joe should know he had borrowed. -_mpangles,- joined closely toge speculates. Well, so tong. Ill see you again next month—if I’m here.” “You expect to be here, don’t you?” “Yes, but there’s no telling how the cat will ee these days.” : “Then you don’t feel sure of your job?” “T can hold it if I try hard enough.” “You’d better try hard, then, for clerkships aren’t picked up every minute in Wall Street.” “That’s right,” nodded Joe. “It took me two weeks and two days to annex this.” Atkins took his leave and Joe went on with his work. Next day was Saturday, and Joe hoped that Frank Havens would appear and pay his in- stalment, but he didn’t come up to the time Joe got his pay for a full week and put his books and important documents in the safe. “I feel sorry for Havens,” he said to the old man, as he put on his hat. “Defaulted in his’instalment, has he?” “Yes. He hasn’t shown up ,with the money and I’ll have to report him to-Mr. Croft Monday morning.” “A collector will call on him Monday with a demand for the balance of the loan in full, and the fees amounting to $7.49.” “If he can’t pay the $10 instalment, how can _ Mr. Croft expect him to come down with $67.49?” “Mr. Croft won’t worry about that.” “What will he do if Havens can’t settle?” “You or I will be sent to call on his employer.” “What has his employer got to do with the matter?” “Mr. Croft holds an assignment of Havens’ wages as security. His pay will be attached.” “Does he get pay enough to cover the amount he owes?” “No. An arrangement will. be made with his employer by which we will collect a certain pro- portion of his salary on each payday.” “Then Mr. Croft is sure of getting his money?” - “Reasonably so,” said the old man, starting for the door. $5: “It’s sheer robbery!” muttered Joe, as he walk- ed out. = CHAPTER V.—Joe Finds a Prize. Joe walked down to Hanover Square to take an elevated train there from the station to 125th street and Third avenue, where he always got off. As he was crossing Hanover, street he saw an oblong envelope lying in his path. He picked it up, for it looked bulky to him, and he thought somebody might have dropped an important docu- ment or two. It was a plain envelope without any writing on it and had a rubber band around the middle. the envelope. Inside was a bunch of bank notes. “Gee! Here’s a find,” he muttered. “I wonder who lost this?” Joe removed the band and opened »— - As Joe came out on the Square he saw a couple © of girl stenographers ahea that he knew. He — hurried forward to intercept them. .There was: ~ quite a crowd of clerks bound for the station stairs, the latter with their pocketbooks, con- — . - taining the’: week’s wages, in their hands. One ~ of the two girls Joe knew, Miss : name, Was carrying a small Miss Sanderson - . bag, Earege ie ther, swinging fro

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ee AMONG THE SHARKS her a ee in a vather careless way considering — it held her purse with $16, as well as other things. Joe was mais several yards behind the girls when a a_ dapper- ogi! souddeniy sna ea Gir tee ok : n to them, su snatched the ou ot Mies anderson’s hand and started across the Square at a dead run. The girl screamed, people looked around, and some confusion in the midst of which Joe, who had seen : the theft, pos F ot <p a. +"

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= g the young man over, he ordered him to be locked up and taken to the Tombs. i be to court in the morning,” ; oe. “See that you are there to press the charge. You say you know the girl ‘who lost the pocketbook? Bring her and her ‘friend down with you so they can identify the p i re able to do so. In the mean- he has a record.” be on hand and after handing double seat to himself he took it out and counted money. It amounted to $875, and there wasn’t e slightest clue to the owner. SS _* *I don’t see how I’m going to return this mon- ‘to the person it —— to,” mused Joe. “I’m ho srg i do it if I could. If I can’t do why, of c , it belongs to me as the finder. chaps it will be advertised for. I must watch : If the owner turns up I guess he’ll villing to pay a fair reward for getting it . It would if I lost that amount of money.” hen he got home he showed the envelope and -money to his ae telling her how he had -in possession it. “My gracious!” she exclaimed. “That’s an aw- 3 of money, Joe! How are you ever going to find the person who lost it?” “I think it is doubtful finding him. I he can afford the loss of it. - lift for us, this money. I guess we need it ove than the man who dropped it; but we can’t ) it-ours until we've given the owner a chance imselt.” her supper. She had to go right back, for day evenings the butcher shop was open . en o'clock. Mrs. Thompson had supper y when Grace appeared and the little family wn to it without delay. Joe told his sister had found. you not going to throw it away. ‘ course not. If you keep it, I hope you'll me. I need a new hat and gown.” - dn’t forget you, sis, for I see you every talk foolish. You know what I mean.” find I can honestly hold on to the money, that you and mother are both provided ’d better give most of it to mother. She 0 person to have it.” ss she is,” said Joe.- —- supper he walked as far as Lenox ave- long One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street is sister, and then went on a block farther ‘baseball scores that were posted up in ' the uptown office of an afternoon It will be a AMONG THE SHARKS 9 he saw a very pretty girl ahead of him hurrying along. At that moment an automobile whirled somewhat reckl@ssly around the corner from One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street and bore right down on the girl. She sprang back, slipped and fell upon the crossing. She uttered a scream of terror as the machine rushed upon her, the man on the front seat making a desperate but futile effort to stop the car. Fortunately, Joe was close behind the young lady. He reached forward, seized her in his arms and swung her out of the reach of the forward wheel, just in the nick of time. CHAPTER VI.—Joe and Marie Havens. The girl gave a gasp and fainted dead away, while a crowd began to gather. Joe lifted the young lady and carried her to the sidewalk. “Don’t crowd around, gentlemen,” he protested. “The young lady isn’t hurt. She has fainted, that’s all. Stand back and give her air.” The crowd grew momenta larger with fresh accessions, and those behind pushed forward to learn what had happened, so that Joe and his burden were in the center of a very small circle. Joe lifted the senseless girl again and pushed his way forward till he reached a store, which he entered. ; : “Will you fetch a glass of. water?” he asked the clerk. “This young lady had a narrow és- cape from an automobile on the corner and has fainted. That crowd outside ought to be chased. There’s nothing for them to see that should in- terest them.” e Joe sprinkled the girl’s face with the water that was brought, and she presently opened her eyes, after a sigh, and stared up into her res- cuer’s face. : te “Oh!” she exclaimed, with a deep blush, “please let_ me go. ‘ “Why, certainly,” said Joe, releasing her. “I had to hold you while you were unconscious. I brought you. here to get out of the crowd that athered around us when I pulled you away from that automobile.” “It was-you who saved me! TI am so grate- ful to you, indeed I am,” said the girl earnestly. “That’s all right. I was behind you when the ‘car rushed around the corner and you -slipped trying to avoid it. I grabbed you and you out of the way just in time. I’m bound to say you had a narrow squeak of it. You fainted away in my arms; so you see I had to hold you up. I couldn’t let you lie there jn the street, could I, for the crowd to gape at?” ; “No, no, you were very kind. I don’t know hew to thank you enough.” . “Don’t try. I am very happy to have been privileged to render you ice,” sai i o- a service,” said Joe, - locking admiringly at the lovely face of the girl, — which somehow put him in mind of else he had met somewhere. : ; “You will tell me your name and where you wo My brother will want to thank you,” she ‘sa qi 3 ¢ — , _ “Will you write it down for me? I’m afraid I _ . ‘J ; Viele, ¥ a F

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10 will not remember it. I am so nervous and excited that: I’m hardly able to go home.” “T’ll see you to your home, if you wish. Where do you live?” She mentioned a number in One Hundred and Twenty-first street, near Eighth avenue. “T’ll take you there, Miss “Havens,” she said. “Havens!” he exclaimed, in surprise, and the resemblance she bore to Frank Havens flashed es? him at once. “You say you have a brother?” “a es.” “Is his name Frank?” “Tt is. Do you know him?” she asked eagerly. “T have met him, but I cannot say that we are more than acquainted in a business way—that 4s, if the Frank Havens I refer to is your brother; but I think he must be, for you bear a strong resemblance to him.” “We do look very much alike in our faces.” “He mentioned that his mother was ill.” “Then it must have been he you met, for our mother is quite sick. I was hurrying home from work on her account.” “Let us make a start, then,” said Joe, who, af- ter thanking the clerk for, the water, led the girl out on the sidewalk, now clear again, the crowd having ag without the assistance of a policeman. y got very well acquainted dur- ing the few blocks walk. Miss Havens said she was cashier in a large grocery store, and that her brother worked for a stock brokerage house in Wall Street. Joe in return told her he worked in Wall Street, too, and that his sister was cash- jer in a butcher shop on Lenox avenue. “I should like you to meet my sister,” he-said. “She is a splendid girl, and I know you would el rae her, I hope you will permit me to in- you.” — shall be pleased to meet your sister. I am sure she is a nice girl. When my mother gets well you may bring her around to see us. My brother will, in the meanwhile, call on you and thank you for what you have done for me.” “Your thanks are enough, Miss Havens; but I shall be glad to know your brother better. I took quite a fancy to him when we met. He is a mighty fine young fellow.” The girl smiled in a pleased way and said her brother was the best fone man in the world. j By that time they had reached the entrance to t and after ringing the bell and hearing the door lock click, Joe doffed his hat and said good-by to Miss Havens. He walked slowly back to One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street, his mind filled with a vision of the fair girl he had saved, Af- ter studying the ball scores he went into a drug store and looked up Miss Sanderson’s address. He knew her father’s name was Edward, and that he was a bookkee i aa Spotting what he guessed was the right ad which was on One Hun- dred and Seumntonnth street, he went down there, and ringing the bell of one of the floors in the flat house, mas admitted and found he had struck the. arg “Why, a; sab you do, Mr. Thompson!” said Miss derson. “This isan spyeetees pleas- ure, Come — flat where the Havens family lived,: right in.” \ ; “I will for a moment. T called on a litle mat ter of business.” - is AMONG THE SHARKS F y “Business! Dear me, what is the business? I’m awfully glad to see you, though.” “You had a bag stolen from you to-day on Han- over Square.” “Yes, I did. How did you know? I lost $16 | and some other things.” “TJ was right behind you and your lady friend at the time. I saw the fellow pinch your bag i and I chased him. In the end I caught him a ‘ he’s in jail.” } “Is it possible! And I'll get my bag back? I’m awfully obliged to you.” - “Don’t mention it. I called to say that you will ; have to go to the Tombs police court with me in ~ the morning, and we must take your friend along. Miss Sanderson called her father in, intro- duced Joe and explained the case. Mr. Sander- son said he would accompany the party. Joe P stayed an hour and on leaving said he would be — on hand at ten in the morning, and he hoped: Miss Sanderson would have her friend ready. — They appeared at the court next morning and — the two girls identified the thief, as did Joe, and — Miss Sanderson identified her bag and stated — what was in it at the time of the robbery. The — crook was held for the action of the grand jury. — Subsequently he was tried, convicted and sent to — prison. On the following evening the bell rang — in the Thompson flat and Joe, after pushing the ¥ button, went outside to see who was coming up, — It was a_ young man whom Joe presently recog- nized as Frank Havens. “How do you do, Mr. Havens. I’m glad to see - > you again. Come in the parlor,” said Joe, leading — the way. ae “I didn’t know it was you to whom my re * as well as my mother and myself, are so aed indebted,” said Havens, grasping him “the hand. “My sister told me you said we ‘sad met, — but as you did not say where, though I paar 2 it was somewhere in Wall Street when she you worked down there. I was rather puzzled to — place you. Allow me.to express the gratitude I feel for the great service you rendered my sister. I assure you. I shall not forget it.” ; “Say no more about it, Mr. Havens... Your — sister thanked me and that covers the SS hope, though, that we shall become friends, fee I’m bound to say that I like you.” “T*shall be elad to continue the acquaitanal a Thompson, for you look like a good fellow, smiled Hovens, in his genial way. “IT want you to know my sister,” said Joe, jumping up and leaving the room. q He returned in a few moments with Grace, and introduced the two. Havens was somewhat im- ~ pressed by Miss Thompson’s beauty and wi ways, and was soon on good terms with the young = lady. After remaining an hour Havens got S to take his leave. _ a “You must come around soon again, Mr. Ha vens,” said Joe, “Yes, do,” said Grane who was greatly ieee: with the visitor. “And bring your sister. I want Grace to mest her,” said Joe. : “{ will, as soon as our mother is well a Marie told me that you wanted her to becom acquainted with yeur sister. i am : Sa me

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AMONG THE SHARKS _ would like you very much, Miss Thompson,” he added to to Grace. “Thank you for saying so, Mr. Havens,” said Grace, giving him one of her sweetest smiles. “I shall be delighted to know. her.” Havens bowed and then took his leave. It was a disagreeable task for Joe to report to Mr. Croft _mext morning = failure of Frank Havens to make his ent on Saturday, for he knew it would weak to to unpleasant results. He was more - eetes than ever in the young man on account | ef his sister, and he was in a funk all the morn- = Se oe lest he should be sent around to call on Ha- ans with the demand for the payment 2 4 oe whole debt, with the ‘additional costs. _ Joe, however, was too new to the office to be sent on such a mission. Miss Richmond, his- she with Croft she would have risen to the post of manager “of the office, and she would have made an ideal {one for the place, particularly in connection with _¢ the neous lean nt, which was : eaeowne- Old man Hale was dispatched on the Havens worked for a broker famed € Sato on’t pay such preposterous charges, an =i pay the amount in full. I will pay the instalment now, if you will give me a the $67.49. Can’t take a cent less,” man. how you’re going to get it. Ten pay at this time.” your employer, then. We hold when I re as you. paid up your instalments reg- Joan would remain a secret, but now, + en 11 attachment it will save you some extra expense. Will you show me into his room?” ““There’s the office boy. Ask him to announce you,” said Havens, who saw that the old man was determined to put his programme through. The boy showed Hale into the private room. Five seated later Havens was summoned by the bro- er “This man tells me that you owe Nicholas Croft, the money-lender, the sum of $67.49, and — you refuse to settle. Is it so?” asked For- rest. “To a certain extent it is true, sir,” said Hav- ens. “Six months my was staken seri- ously ill and I found it necessary to raise $75 to meet the expenses of her sickness. I called on Mr. Croft and secured the loan, but as I had no security to offer, and as I wished to pay it off in monthly instalments, I had to sign a note by which I bound myself to repay him the sum of $110 in eleven equal instalments of $10.” “Do you mean to s — that he charged you $35 interest for the use $75 under the conditions you have stated?” “No, sir. He charged me six per cent. inter- est on the $75 for eleven months, or about $4.13. To this he added $2 for investigating my refer- ence. Th¢re were some ae for drawing up the papers and recording them, which brought the dass up to $10. Then T had to pay bonus. That makes the $35. It was an exorbitant charge, but as I agreed to it I am not protesting against it now. hat I do protest against is the $7.49 that has just been tacked on to the $60 balance I owe because I was unable to meet my last instalment, due on Saturday. I am ready to pay the $10 now, but this man refuses to accept He insists on having the six remai in- valine. and the $7.49 added, because my failure to pay the $10 on Saturday. The broker ‘whistled. “I am to understand that Croft charged you, altogether $85 for the loan of $75, the entire amount to be returned to him in eleven equal pay- ments of $10, and because you have let one of these payments lapse for two a he is demand- ing Sal forfeit. of $7.49 additional?” “Yes, sir.” “You will kindly give me an itemized account 3 Sa $7.49, sir,” said the broker, turning to ale “Protest. fee, $1.49; brokerage, $1, and collec- tion fee, $5,” said the old man. “And you expect. to collect that, plus the $60, from me?” Hale said that Mr. Croft felt reasonebly cer- tain of doing so. “Return to Mr.-Croft and tell him, with. my compliments, that ill see him to the mischief first,” said Forrest, with some energy. “Then Mr. Croft will § get out an attachment on the young man’s. assignment, and there will be additional charges to pay.” _ The broker rang for his office oak “Show this man out,” he sgid sharply, and Hale » went out, Then Forrest turned to Havens. “I am sorry you were so foolish as to go to a man who appears to be oie Bresuming to be simply a regular mo lender. Why dicin’t you ask me for the sit" Ey of aloan shark =

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12 “T didn’t like to ask you for it, sir,” replied Havens. 3 _ “Well, you, made a mistake. I would have been glad to help you out. Now to settle your indebt- edness to Croft I shall offer him $30 in full, that will make $80 in all, $5 being twice as much as he is rightfully entitled to, with the gentle hint that if he insists on carrymg out his own pro- mme that every broker in Wall! Street shall earn, within twenty-four hours, the kind of side business he is engaged in. I doubt if he will care to risk the publicity.” Forrest was as good as his word, and sent the letter, and his check for $30, with the demand for the return of all the documents in the case. Croft aecepted the check and returned a receipt for the debt. in full. He knew better than to fight the matter, : CHAPTER VII.—Im the Hands of Cupid. When Mr. Croft told Joe that Havens had settled his loan in full and directed him to tear up the index card relating to his account, the boy wondered how the young clerk had effected the settlement. He was greatly pleased that Ha- vens was out of his boss’s clutches, and he most . earnestly hoped that the fact that he was clerk to the money-lender, and in charge of the Shy- lock department, would not give him a black eye with the Havenses.. He was already more than * half in love with Marie Havens, and was anxious to know her better. - During the week several Wall Street employees came into the office and paid instalments on their accounts. Joe watched the lost and found column in several of the morning dailies, but did not see the envelope with the $875 advertised, so he be- an to figure that the money was as good as fis own. On Thursday he learned that A. & D. was being cornered by a syndicate that intended booming it. Without saying anything to his mother, he carried $500 of the money he had found down town with him on Friday morning, and when he went to his lunch that day he went around to the little bank in. Nassau street and pe it up as margin on 50 shares of A. & D., at When he went home he saw by the market re- port that the price had gone up a point. When the Exchange closed at noon next day it was up half a point higher. As he left the Anchor Build/ ing about one o’clock, with his pay in his pocket, he met Havens on his way home. 3 _ “How do you do, Mr. Havens!” he said. _ “Glad to see you, Thompson,” said Havens, and they shook hands cordially. : “How is your mother getting on?” “Very nicely, I am glad to say.” ; “Glad to hear it. see you settled up with Mr. Croft.” ee: “Yes. My employer did that for me, and saved me money.” c “The $7.49 charges? Between you and me, that was an outrage.” = ¢ —— “He “saved me from that extortion and $30 ,wthirty dollars’ more? How did he manage -was told or be discharged right off the reel, and ‘ to the butcher shop. AMONG THE SHARKS and told him that was all he’d get. That made $80, so that I only had to pay $5 for the accom- modation, which was all Croft was entitled to, My. Forrest said. He’s a robber. Excuse my frankness, seeing he’s your employer, but that’s — my opinion of him.” 3 “It wouldn’t be right for me to express my opinion of him, a8 I am working for him, but I'm free to say that I don’t like his methods. Ive only been with him two weeks, and I intend to leave him as soon as I can pick up another job. I am not suited to the loan-shark business. I hated like sixty to refuse your request for a few days’ time. It was a fair and reasonable favor under the circumstances in which you were plac- ed. But I had no alternative. I had to do as I I could not afford that, for I was out two weeks — previous to getting the job, and we needed the money.” “T don’t blame you, Thompson. When you're in Rome you have to do as the Romans do.” = —_- “T’m glad you don’t hold it against me.” “Certainly not. Do you suppose I would har- bor unfriendly feelings toward you after wha you did for my sister?” : “Oh, never mind that.’ I would like to stand with you on my own merits. You will know me better after a while if you are willing to keep up ~ the acquaintance.” ~ Ae “T shall be glad to keep it up,” said Havens, — thinking of pretty Grace Thompson, who had ; made a great impression on him. = “When will you bring your sister around to — see us?” ies ' “If my mother continues to improve I might bring her around to-morrow evening.” = “Do so. My sister is quite anxious to see her.” Grace had so expressed herself to her brother, — but. underneath it was a desire to see Frank Ha- — vens again, which would be satisfied if he brought — his sister on the promised visit. Marie Havens — also showed a desire to make the acquaintance of Grace, but if the truth were told she was more desirous of meeting Joe again. Havens said he would surely bring his sister if he could, and Joe — shook hands with himself at the prospect of see- ing the fair Marie soon. again: They went up- town together on the Third avenue line, though Havens lived on the West Side and always took the Ninth avenue elevated; but it struck him ~ that by having to walk across One Hundred aaa as Twenty-fifth street he would be able to drop into the butcher’s shop where Grace wérked and have a few words with her. ee When they got out at the One Hundred and — Twenty-fifth street station it occurred to Joe — that if he walked over to the West Side with — Havens he could drop into the grocery store — where Marie was employed and say a few words ~ to her. As an excuse he told Havens that he was going to.drop in on his sister for-a few — minutes, and that would be a good chance for © Havens to See Grace. Havens pretended that he — never thought of the opportunity this would give — him to see Miss Thompson, and so they went on race was delighted to see — Havens, and Joe, remarking that he wanted to get a newspaper on the corner, left them tS gether. me Sof ap =P ee. ~ When Havens rejoined him he told Joe that he =e + % : ae 2

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AMONG THE SHARKS _ Would take him into the grocery store to see his Sister, and Joe replied this would suit him first vate. They went on to: the store and Havens _ Wwent.in with Joe. _. “See who I’ve brought to give you a call,” said ~ Havens. : . Of course Marie was pleased to death, and _ Havens thought up some excuse to go to the cor- ner and wait for Joe. Thus the two young fel- ~ Jows were playing into one another’s hands, both having the same object in view—each using his own ‘sister as a bait to get the other fellow’s sis- _ter—which was a very beautiful game when you come to think of it. After spending a few min- utes in Miss Haven’s society, during which he _ said he hoped she and her brother would call at - his home on the following evening if their moth- _ er’s condition permitted it, Joe left and rejoined Havens. It was then nearly three o’clock, and _ Joe proposed that they go to the Polo Grounds and see the ball game. Havens had no objection, : said he’d like to go home first and see how fs mother was, so they both went to the Havens owt ~ Mrs. Havens was very much improved, and was able to see Joe and thank him for the service he had rendered her daughter. Then the young _ fellow went to the game. On the way up Havens - suggested that as he had visited Joe’s home per- “haps it would suit Joe to call with his sister on the following evening at his house. - , “Turn about is fair piay, you know,” he said _ laughingly. : : _. Joe agreed, for as long as he met Marie he did not care at which house it was. Accordingly it "was arranged that Joe and his sister were to do - the calling instead of Havens and his sister, and he teld his sister when they met at the supper tc Anything suited Grace so long as she met : , though she pretended to hesitate over the arrangement. Joe, thinking she wanted to back ‘@ut, insisted on Ler going, and finally she said would, and she returned to the butcher shop, - heart going pitapat at the thought of passing _ whole evening in Havens’ society. Both she Joe put on all the extra frills they could r tea next evening, and started for their des- mn. “Miss Havens is a fine girl,” said Joe, on the ““Have you lost your heart to her, brother dear?” laughed Grace. “Pooh! What nonsense! _ once—I mean twice. Havens took. me into the "store where she works yesterday afternoon, but I “bout?” “fT ain’t blushing,” protested Joe. “What's the atter with you?” ; “Yes, you are. You’re as red as my sash rib- =e furnished by 13 on his account, gave her a little shock, and she stopped poking fun at her brother. It is need- less to say that they received a royal welcome, and it is also unnecessary to say, though we do it, that Frank and Marie put on a few frills themselves in order to look their best. They had also decked their mother out with a few frills, too, though she only stayed a short time in the parlor, as she was not feeling quite well enough to help entertain visitors. Frank and Marie guessed they could do that all right. The law of attraction operated quite successfully, draw- ing Frank toward Grace and Joe toward Marie, and neither young lady seemed to find any fault with it. Each pair was also attracted to the other side of the room. Frank and Grace occu- pied the lounge, or rather one side of it, while Joe and Marie had to put up with chairs, but in order to make believe they had a lounge, too, they © brought them close together. What. they talked about, having no reference to this story, we omit as being uninteresting to the reader, though very interesting to themselves. The hands of the clock kept going around unusualyl fast, Joe thought, and when they pointed to half-past ten he reluctantly announced that it was time to go. “Oh, it’s early yet,” said Havens. “The clock is fast, anyhow.” Perhaps it was, but it usually kept exact time. Joe subsided wiliingly enough for fifteen minutes more when he called. time again. Grace, seein that it was a quarter of eleven, sprang up an declared that they really must go. So the friends departed for their homes. The next day A. & D. began to boom'in ear- nest. Joe waited until he thought it was unsafe to hold it any longer, and then he sold out, clear- ing over $1,000. Later that day, just before he started for home, he got hold of a tip on L. & D. that looked like a winner. ' - CHAPTER VIII.—More Sharks in Wall Street. Next day on his way back from lunch Joe went to the little bank and got his certificate of de- posit. Then he gave in an order for 100 shares of L. & D. at 90, the market price. The bank took his certificate of deposit back and made out a new one to him for $500. With that im his pocket he returned to the office. Joe’ noticed that Mr. Croft had a number of broker visitors that day, which was a sign that money was tight at the banks and the rate high. The money-lender was in excellent humor. Three Wall Street clerks came in and applied for loans. On each occasion Joe carried a note to Steele’s- office and left it with Miss Baker, and on the following day the red-headed boy came in with a note for Mr. Croft, as he had done on several previous occasions since Joe had come on the job. - Joe had little to say to him when he came around, for he didn’t like him much. Jimmy, however, had taken a shine to Joe and always wanted to talk to him, As Joe was always busy when he called, he didn’t have much chance, ex- cept when Joe called at his office. Every day one or. more cards were added to Joe’s card in- dex and inserted in his books from memorandums 2 Croft. Joe had now been over X = + “ “ ?

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14 month in the office and the money-lender seemed to like him well man ie At any rate he found no fault with him. e was on good terms with old man Hale, and was frequently called upon to visit brokers with calls for them to take up their loans, which they always did promptly. Joe pumped Hale occasionally for particulars about the loan shark business in ral, but the old man was very cautious in his replies. He al- ways found some excuse for the sharks, and Joe quit talking to him on the subject. The week passed away and L. & D. remained almost sta- tionary. = Joe was satisfied as long as it didn’t go back- ward, for he was satisfied that it would shortly make a good advance. On Saturday he and Ha- vens met in front of the Anchor Building at one o'clock and went over to Newark to see a ball eg This brought Joe home rather late, and found his sister had been home, eaten her sup- per and had Ard back to the shop. Having nothing particular on hand, he thought he’d go around and see how the Porter family were get- ting on. He received a great welcome from Mrs. Porter and found that her husband was out of bed and doing very well. Myr. Porter expressed his gratitude to him for advancing the $25, and assured him the money would be repaid as soon as possible. *There’s no rush about paying it,” said Joe. “I can wait, When you get $5 together that you ean spare your wife can bring it around and give oF my mother; but don’t inconvenience your- ” “I won’t be satisfieed till I have paid the loan,” said Porter. “It was a t favor of you, a ae ing to do for us, and I shall always remem- er it. “Well, I must go. Here are some bananas and oranges for your children,” said Joe, handing him a package he had brought with him. Porter thanked him for the fruit and then Joe left. On the following evening he took Grace to eall on the Havenses. As it was a pleasant moon- light night, the Bi people decided that a walk would be preferable to staying in the house. They went to Mount Morris Park, strolled around the walks and finally took possession of a bench and stayed there some time, then returned to the » Havens flat, where Joe and his sister remained till nearly eleven. : During the following week L. & D. got a move en and went by degrees to 95. It closed at 95 1-2 on. Saturday and on the following Monday went up to 97. As he.was coming from lunch he met Cady, who had secured a loan at the office. He was. looking particularly happy. 3 “Say, Thompson, I made a good thing off that loan I got from you,” he said. “Glad to hear it. You have got to pay enough for the use of the money.” “J bought ten shares of L. & D. with it and have just sold out at a profit of $65.” “How came you to buy L. & D.?” Joe asked curiously. eae ee “TY heard a broker tip my boss off to buy it, and I ju it must be a good thing.” - ie at is what you wanted the money for?” + ¥es: : “You ought not to have sold out so soon, It’s going higher.” : Fe : Ee as : : 5 , AMONG THE SHARKS “I don’t think L. & D. will go much higher. I went broke six months ago by holding out for the last dollar.” ; : “Keep track of the stock and see if it doesn’t go up around 105,” said Joe, who then walked off. The very next day L. & D. jumped to 102. On — Wednesday it went to 108, and Joe sold out, mak- ing $1,800 profit. He told his folks about his good — luck, and they were surprised at this second for _ tunate deal panning out so well. % “How much are you worth now, brother dear?” ~ asked Grace. : “Twenty-three hundred dollars.” aes “And a couple of months ago you were scratch= “ ing for car fare.” . ee “That’s quite true. I owe it to that lucky find ~ in Hanover street.” Be “The envelope with the $875?” a “Yes. The $500 I put up on A. & D. gave nie the ‘start I was looking for.” oa hose you intend to keep on speculating?” “Yes. ‘ “You might lose all your money in.” 23 “There is a chance, of course, but I intend to ~ he mighty careful what I put my money up on.” ~ “T hope you will, for it would be dreadful if “ you lost it.” +. When Joe got a settlement with the little bank — he took it out in a certificate of deposit, for that * was the safest way to have it. There were other © sharks in the financial district besides loan ones. ; The men who ran bucketshops came under that ~ title. People who speculated at such establish- — ments took an additional risk over and above the — ordinary chances in Wall Street, which were al-— ways against the outsider. It wasn’t long before _ Joe found out that his boss was a silent partner in one of these “shops,” and was getti as stantial rake-off for the use of the money he © had advanced to start the place. This bucket shop was advertised under the name of the “Mu- — tual Investment Co.” Joe carried messages to the managing partner two or three times a week. — He was a small man, with black eyes and a jet- — black mustache. He looked very much like a professional gambler. Every time Joe went there he found the place well filled with small specula- — tors, who could buy or sell as low as three shares of any stock on various markets. The transac- tions were a pure gamble, for the Mutual Invest- ~ ment Co. never purchased or sold the actual stock _ for their customers. a Pe They gathered in the commission both ways, and charged the interest on the money the were supposed to adyance but never did. If the — customer won, they paid it, and if he lost, as he did most of the time, the company was ahead on — the whole transaction. Joe had been two months — with Croft when he found out that another shark- — ish enterprise had been started up 3 floor where he worked. It bore t Their advertisement appeared in two or three “a of the magazines, and in numerous papers. The — company, which’ was incorporated under the laws | pare

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AMONG THE SHARKS 15 New Jersey, had an alleged capital of ten mil- “Very well,” replied the boy, though that was lions, Joe got hold of one of their cireulars and ndt strictly the truth. : : noticed that the president’s name was Nicholas Things had been running smoothly since the Steele. Soon afterward he saw a bundle of bonds Frank Havens affair, but for all that Joe did not of the land improvement company in the big of- like to be connected with a place where small fice safe, and he wondered whether the boss had borrowers were soaked such high rates for loans. ought them or had loaned money on them. He Although this department seemed to be but a le inquiries of brokers he knew about the com- small part of Mr. Croft’s business, still it was ny, but none of the traders appeared to have growing, and Joe was afraid that his employer’s “great opinion of the ten million concern. side business orett get into the newspapers in ‘oe. who was an observant lad, noticed that case he attemp to squeeze another clerk whose number of girls employed by the company employer might resist it like Broker Forrest. s increasing, and getting acquainted with one “As you have done very well since I hired you, them, he found out that most of them were I am going to raise your wages to $15,” said ged in the publicity department, as it was Croft. peeae = ed, addressing circulars to thousands of peo- Thank you, sir,” said Joe, greatly pleased at whose names and addresses were taken from a fifty per cent. raise. directories, and purchased from people who When five o’clock came around old man Hale, made it their business to collect such age rae wie cael bam advised about the boy’s raise, con- addresses i r to sell them at so much athou- gratu im, sand. oe : ; . “Croft seems to be pleased with you,” he said. - Joe secured, through the girl, one of these cir- “Nothing escapes his eye. He has seen that you culars, and found that: it set forth the land im- stick. close to business, and that is what he likes wement business in glowing shape. The com- to see in a clerk. A chap who was always look- y announced that it had secured several thou- ing for lunch hour or closing time to come around and acres of splendid land in a certain State on wouldn’t stay here very long.” : the line of the projected extention of a big trunk —_ “I believe in doing what I’m hired for,” said railway, and had laid it out in town lots for Joe. ; siness’ and residential purposes. Having bought He meant that he believed in returning a full the tract cheap for cash, the company was lay day’s work for a full day’s pay. He forgot for out streets, parks, erecting public buildings, the moment that there were some things in his | otherwise bringing into existence a magnifi- line of duty that he didn’t believe in, but so far nt town, where lots would be sold at a price he had not been called upon to test the matter, in a year or two would return the investor except ina small way in the case of Havens. i and in many cases thirty times the Hale took his answer in the full literal sense, ; 3 .,- and as he had been told by Croft to find out just ‘As the best lots were going like hotcakes, it how Thompson stood in relation to his depart- - behooved the reader of the circular to get a move ment, and how far he could be depended on, he ie expected to get in on the ground floor was pleased with Joe’s reply, for he rather liked e fortunate many. It was about this time the boy, and-hoped he would fall into the spirit . Joe noticed a rise in L. & C. After watch- of the business. Croft usually left the office at y it for a day or two, he concluded to take a half-past twelve on Saturday. At that hour he nee on it, but he wouldn’t buy more than 100 called Joe into his room. f ares. Meeting Atkins on the street around one. “Steele, with whom you know I have some deal- k, they got to talking about the market and ings, is short handed to-day, and he asked me to ound that the clerk was in on ten shares, send you around to his office to help him out,” ying borrowed the money this time from his said the money-lender. rt. As Joe had no line on the stock, he felt: he had to be very careful and not take too my chances. Several days passed and the which he had bought at 78, went up to 81 As Joe had expected to go to a ball game with Havens that afternoon, and as the sun was shin- ing i erin Sips rede # a. eho relish. be- : L ing obliged to give up his ha oliday for the fraction. At that figure he sold out at a henefit of a money-shark. Then he Seuieethoradl of $300, and it was fortunate that he did he had five dollars more in his salary envelope for before the Exchange closed it dropped to than he had heretofore been receiving, and so nd next day kept on down to 77, where it be thle Sin} J could not refuse to do anything ored. _ ae r. Croft requested of him. ; “Three hundred dollars is better than nothing, “All right, sir,” he said,.as cheerfully as he d his Boe ar, sister that evening: “It could. - represents thirty weeks’ wages. ¥ thee “You will get your lunch y and y profit at all is better than losing,” said Miss Raker,” Said Croft Ese ot ee ce 7 nae oes? PS It was always Miss Baker. Putting on his hat s right,” said Joe, grabbing his hat and he Jeft the office, Havens was at the. door down- gz for the door. z stairs waiting for him. aie : sf = ea ee as . eer ani — lunch, or shall we eat a = See tye _ downtown?” asked Havens. > + aes CHAPTER IX.—On Special Service. “I'm not going home, and you'll have to ex-’ pson,” said Croft, one afternoon, “come ee me from accompanying you to the game — ' SPs Z -day. ie Po ns Tees ; ee pllowren: hic the private Ee . “How is that?” said Havens, in surprise. “It’s you like it here?” asked the money- the finest spring day we've had. An ideal or for a ball game. Where are you going a eee

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16 *Got to work this afternoon.” ; “That’s hard luck. Are you rushed with busi- ness?” “It isn’t that. Croft has loaned me to a friend of his named Steele, who is a regular money- shark. He’s short-handed to-day and I’m to give him a lit.” “This is somethin to loan one’s em- ployees, on a half holi ay at that. I should be inclined to object, and I I'd be justified.” “Croft has just raised my wages $a so I don’t feel that I can object.” That’s a “That’s a horse of another color. raise.” “He can e gore Bh cab it. He said that | another raise would bly come at Christmas “Then I don’t blame you for being ‘villing to work over time.” “J wouldn’t mind it so much if Croft kept me to = something in the office, but I don’t. care to transfer any part of my services to a Poe, 1 y, near Pine.” Ten minutes or so later Joe entered Steele’s office. There was no one in the outer room but Jimmy Jones. The safe was closed, the desks = and the girls had evidently gone away for ay. oak , Jimmy, is Miss Baker at home?” said. “She's waiting for you. Go r sige in.” Joe went in and load Miss Baker reading a magazine. “Mr. Croft told me to report to you,” said Joe, “Here is a bill for $88.25 I want you to col- lect. ‘This woman has failed to make her regu- lar remittance, and has had the impudence to write us a letter full of the usual excuses. She awes $75 on her loan. The balance is charges. Here is the mortgage on her personal effects. As our r wagon is busy on another job, you will have to hire one near her cottage. sent the bill and if she can’t or won’t pay, order the moving wan to take her things and put them on the wagon. Follow the attached schedule and be careful to check the things off. If anything is pati Cempn demand to know what she has done with it. If her answer is not satisfactory, go to the nearest police station and swear out a war- rant a her for trying to defraud us of a the property. If ag get = — ai it in here on cami Fae not, take the goods to the Pa Ss house on —— street. Here is tpn ecard. That is all, except to impress on you that you’re to stand AP nonsense. As you’re new at this busi- Baker, fling toe ‘mage ado Faas, Sele Miss ma oe ocuments, and age oss ws her ee: ‘ Joe ~ oa lady went to stood irresolute the wash stand to douse 1 her hands preliminary to putting poner ber oe eth looked at the an ag in saw e reap ae name was Mrs, Edith ioe ‘to ’s furniture AMONG THE SHARKS ~ at Fulton street. “What is it to you?” said Miss Baker tartly. “It is nothing to me. You are giung the ! = I thought I’d mention it to you, that’ fu instructions, Thompson. sponsible for their proper execution, Baker. 4 “Do you have much of this thing?” “Much of what thing?” dema the young y- ‘“Taking people’s property away from them for — @ small debt.” § Miss Baker’s eyes narrowed down. “Are. you going to carry out my orders, aren’t you?” she snapped. # “I suppese V’ll have to, seeing as Mr. Croft directed me to come here and help you out; but I'd like to remark that I was not hired te do this kind of ee and for other people,” ¢ “Oh, indeed!” sneered Miss Baker. go over, and report your refusal to Mr. Croft.” “Never mind. [ll eall on this Mrs. Taylor ane get the money for you,” said Joe. E “IT fancy you won’t get the money, so see that He take every article mentioned in the schedule. — f one oF ge | is unaccounted for, have the woman — sted. I will see to it that she is put through.” er eYou mean one thing of value. I notice there are some~ uni a, articles, such as kitchen — table, mentioned in the schedule.” “TI said one thing in the schedule. Our mort- : gage covers everything. See that yo a them.” iss Baker had got her hat on straight by this - time and was prepared to go. = he had pomacage he. received his Sate 7 ker came out of her room, said “Good afternoon” a bit stiffly, and left the office. ; “Ready to go, Thompson, with a Pp? grinned mmy. “I’m ready,” replied Joe quietly. “Come on. We'll take the Third avenue jin I’m paying all expenses.” suppese you know where we are going then?” said Jo2. “T know we're going up in the Bronx.” ae “To collect money.” : “If you collect any, you'll be lucky. You'll find it’s a case of annexing the goods and taking ’em — to the Arizona Storage House.” “You think so?” 2 “IT certainly do, Thompson. Our regular col-— lector reported that the woman is dead broke, and — that the only way we can get our money is. take the traps in the house.” “Why wasn’t the regular collector sent on job to-day?” —— “Got he hands full, so we called on you. It will give you experience.” “Pm not —_—- for that kind of experience.” Just then the elevator stopped on its way down and they got in, and Jimmy continued to chuckle and gurgle all the way down. ae teal é CHAPTER X.—The Widow. THERESE. Beast sa on and Mae i it,” sai

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AMONG. THE SHARKS “Have you ever seen Steele?” _ ‘ “Have I? I should twitter,” grinned Jimmy. “What sort of looking man is he?” “Why do you want to know?” “Just for curiosity. I’ve seen a number of sharks in the Wall Street district and Pd like to know if he resembles the family.” 2 “You’ve got a nerve to call him a shark. It he heard you-—” : a “Well, if he heard me, what difference’ would it make? I’m not working for him. I wouldn’t work for him for a hundred a week.” That sent Jimmy off into another fit. “Oh, mother! Hold me or I'll faint,” he gur- gied. ; _“What in thunder are you laughing at, any way?” said Joe, half angrily. : : “T suppose there’s no use of learning anything about Steele from you,” continued Joe. “I halt suspected that Steele is a myth, anyway. I’ve never seen him at the office. Miss Baker appears to be the whole shooting match. She gives her orders as if she were the only boss in the place. I don’t see how any woman, unless she has a marble heart, can conduct a loan shark business. I suppose you can guess the orders I’ve got to execute this afternoon?” : “You've got to cart the widow’s furniture away if she can’t come to the scratch with the money. lf she knew anybody she could borrow it from she wouldn’t have come to our shop in the first ce, so you can gamble on it the furniture will ave to go.” “Don’t you think that’s kind of hard on her?” _ said Joe. “Sure, it’s hard,” admitted the red-headed boy; _ what have we got to do with that?, If you ' don’t carry out your orders, the regular collector * will, on Monday, and you'll lose your job with n Croft. : Why should Croft discharge me on account of on” “He would. What Steele says goes with Croft, - and what Croft says goes with Steele, and what Miss Baker says goes with both of ’em.” walked up to-the platform. <A train was just coming in and they got aboard. In the course of _ three-quarters of an hour they were carried up im the Bronx and got out at the station nearest the street on which the widow lived. : ~© *There’s a van over on thet corner,” said Jimmy. , 3 “I see it, but we might not need it.” ; 4 “You'll need it all right,” nodded Jimmy confi- _ dently. : on, ing to visit the lady first.” “You'll have ‘to come back here for the wagon, rene They reached the Fulton street station and « 17 “Are you Mrs, Edith Taylor, ma’am?” asked Joe politely. ; . “Yes,” she replied, in a scarcely audible tone. “I have called to collect the $33.25 which you owe Steele. Can you pay it?” She shook her head in a melancholy way. “In that case my orders are to remove your furniture, which is subject to this chattel mort- gage.” “But you can’t take all of it. The debt is small and my furniture is worth over $500,” said the widow. ; “My instructions are to take all that is down on this schedule. It appears to represent the en- tire contents of this house.” _ “Impossible! The understanding was, when I signed the mortgage, that it was to cover only the contents of my parlor, which I value at over three hundred dollars.” “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the mortgage covers everything. Didn’t you read it over before you signed it?” ~ “The young lady in the office told me that the paper to. be valid had to take note of everything in the house. She assured me it was a mere mat- ter of form and that I need not worry myself about it.” x: “Unless you can produce a witness to that agreement, I’m afraid your statement will be of no value in court if you should bring an action against Steele on the ground of fraud.” “My niece was present and heard what passed at the interview. Here she is now,” she added, as a girl of ten came into the room. “Ask her.” “I_have nothing to do with the matter, ma’am, but I’m willing to ask her as a matter of form,” Joe asked the little girl and the miss stated positively that what her aunt said was true. determined to help the widow win out. “Madam, I find that I have no legal authority <a for removing your furniture this afternoon. That will throw the matter over until Monday, when the regular collector of Steele will call and try to take possession of your property. Renee connected with Steele, having been merely in to execute this i 3 ui business, and I am j ee ee rien ee against rotest. Steele’s regular man will ianieg biel ca on Monday ° to seize your furniture. If I were you I'd see a lawyer as soon as and find out if some steps — cannot be to block Steele. If you can man- — age to hold on to your property until : Ee aE ee we ene a8 : Datlor = indicated-on this schedule, for ago

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13 . That will enaLle you to square up with Steele and save trouble.” : The widow expressed her grateful appreciation - of Joe’s offer and said she would accept it. She said she had no money she could spare to consult a lawyer. “Well, ma’am, I am acquainted with a young lawyer, and I’ll bring your case to his attention and get his advice,” said Joe. “You had, better lock your house up tight on Monday morning and keep away from it all day. The collector will then be unable to do anything, as he cannot _ force his way into your place. Of course you ~ could obtain the same results by barricading yourself in and making sure that all the doors » and windows were tight.” - Joe then bade her good afternoon and rejoined Jimmy. ~ “You were a long time in there,” said Jimmy. “She didn’t pay the money, did she?” * "No, and she refused to give up the furni- ” ~teiy, * “That won’t do her any good. Tell the men— ‘to go in and get it.” ~ *T have no authority to do that.” _ “You’ve got the mortgage, haven’t you?” - "Yes; but it’s got to be backed up by an order from the court.” -. *We’ve taken out furniture. before without _ having any court order.” “Then you did it illegally.” “Ho! . We got it all right, and we'll get this stuff, too.” - "No, we won’t. I’m not going to be arrested - for taking goods without proper authority. Miss » Baker should have furnished me with a legal paper authorizing me to act.” : - “TI guess you den’t want to take the stuff.” + “It isn’t a question of whether I want to or snot.. I can’t.” _. You'll get into trouble with your boss.” ~ “J can’t help that: I’m-not going to get into - trouble with the police.” Now that Joe was worth $2,600 in cash, .he wasn’t worrying so much about. his job, even. though he had been raised to $15, with more pay _. 3m prospect. He didn’t like being shunted off into the service of an undoubted loan shark, and he didn’t believe it was fair for Croft to expect him to work for another person when he didn’t want jim. His talk with Mrs. Taylor had disgusted oe sai Sy with es loan Poa ee He =e not ex judge o use furnishings, but it ona pel him that the furniture and ornaments, the little parlor alone were more than enough cover the amount of the loan. In his opinion was nothing short of an outrage for the loan ple to contemplate carrying off everything in "2 the! ; Jeaving the woman without even a -> _to lie upon, to satisfy their greed. ‘If the lady’s statement about having only thee the contents of the parlor was true, and her niece’s corroboration backed her up, the eele concern were guilty of a plain swindle, and thought the head of the office could be prose- r it. At any rate, he intended to ask his e lawyer. — aed x ‘said . ease AMONG THE SHARKS nothing for him to move, and asked him how much he owed him. “Five dollars,” replied the man. “You'll take two, won’t you?” said Joe. “No, I won't.” “Very well, then we’ll drive to the precinct sta- tion and have the matter adjusted.” “Gimme three and I'll let it go at that.” “Pay him three dollars, Jimmy.” “Pay him yourself. My orders were to pay if the job was pulled off all right.” Joe wasted no time in argument, but handed the man $3 of his own money, and the wagon drove off. “Now you can go home, Jimmy,” said Joe. “All right. I see your finish,” and the red- headed boy walked away. CHAPTER XI.—Conclusion. It was four o’clock when Joe started back for Manhattan. He got off at One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street and went home. After turn- ing in the larger part of his pay, he went around to the house of his legal friend to see if he was at home. He found he was, and he laid the Widow Taylor’s case before him. The young lawyer, whose name was Adams, told him that’ he guessed the mortgage on the whole of the widow’s property was one of the scaley tricks adopted by the loan sharks to squeeze a custo-- mer. _“The paper goes in court every time unless the victim can prove that a swindle has been worked on him,” said Adams. “A person’s own state- ment will not offset the fact that their signature is attached to a paper mortgaging every dollar’s worth of property they possess. The law pre- sumes that the’ person who affixes his signature to any document has read it beforehand and is fully acquainted with its contents. If he failed ~to doit, or was unable to understand what it impliés, that is his loss, for no one should sign a paper without knowing all about it. In this .% tell me the lady’s niece was present when the paper was signed and that she heard the young lady in charge of the loan office assure Mrs. Tayler that the mortgage only covered the contents of the parlor, and that the other articles were inserted merely as a matter of form?” “Yes,” said Joe. , “It seems to be a swindle. At any rate, I’ve known of several similar cases.” “I'd like to see Steele prosecuted for it.” Fy “The only way to reach him is to let his repre- ~~ sentative take the goods, and then get out a war- = rant for Steele’s arrest. That will bring the ~ whole thing into court. If Steele knows he isin the wrong, and that the widow is prepared to push the case, he'll soon try to compromise. — Those people hate publicity the worst way, for it hurts their business.” . : “T think, myself, that if everybody who had a case against the loan sharks fought it out they’d “They probably would, but as most of the loans are made for small sums, to people who have vad Poe resources, the victims are not in a position to hive a lawyer and fight” 0 ‘3 ES Se. 2 om aati <7 r x Sb ool =

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x AMONG THE SHARKS Joe asked Adams if he would call on the widow with him that evening and the young lawyer said “he would. After supper he called for Adams and they went up in the Bronx together. The inter- view with Mrs. Taylor convinced the lawyer that the Steele concern was trying to swindle her, so : ‘ it was arranged that when the regular collector ttn = S ya aE ¢ Eno. Vey x “3 E- aa = ealled a Poe was to allow him to take all her things. en they had been. carted away she was to call at Joe’s house that evening notify him. : Arrangements would then be made to prosecute Steele. Sunday morning’s papers contained a surprise for Joe. The Interstate Land Improve- ment Company had been raided by the post office department, and a warrant was out for President Steele. The gharee was using the mails with in- tent to defraud. The company’s offices were now in the hands of the Government, which was mak- look for a decent job. A wad of money behind one makes a considerable difference in his pros- pects. Joe went to the office on Monday morning with doubts as to whether he would stay any longer than it took Croft to fire him. He picked “Maybe the = -SGrott will be in afonk if he is.” ‘Then #t occurred to him to ask the visitor if ~ she came from Hale. He went to the rail and asked her. = a Mr. Hale is my father. He is very sick. - LT have brought a note to Mr. Croft.” ed don’t want to see Mr. Croft personall * legen thavate with-sne ad wilh fo him when he comes in.” Yh t. He ought to be in soon.” came and still no Croft. Sev- ers had been in to see the money-lender, y had to go away without seeing him. i in. He'‘had a note "haa at Joe. Joe. “I wonder ed . —iite'e ather told me to give him the note per- ° : ie what. you were going to 19 “I was just thinking.” “Why don’t you laugh, then? You appear to do that whenever you are thinking.” But Jimmy wasn't ina laughing humor. “Where’s Hale?” he asked. “Sick,” said Joe. “Sick!” he said, staring at Hale’s desk and the closed safe. Joe made no reply, but: went on reading the. morning paper. Jimmy walked around the office’ for a few minutes and then rushed out. Miss Hale was tired of waiting end finally said: “Can I put this note on Mr. Croft's desk?” : “Sure. Come right in. That’s his room. Go in. : ; She went in, came out in a few minutes and> went away. “There won’t be much business done here to- day at this rate,” said Joe to himself. -* At that moment Croft came in. He stopped. and looked at Hale’s desk and the safe. “Hasn’t Hale got here?” he said, and Joe. no- ticed that he looked worried. ; “No, sir. His daughter was. here and told me he is sick. She brought a note for you.” “Where is it?” “She put it on your desk.” Croft entered his room and closed the door. “In a few minutes he came out. “Has any visitors been “Three brokers.” “Any one else?” “Jimmy Jones; from Steele’s office.” “Any one else?” “No, sir.” Croft. looked relieved. After staring vacantly —— at Joe for half a minute he returned to his room. Joe followed him in. “I wish you'd open the safe, sir, so I can get to work,” he said. ° “There will be no work to-day,” said Croft, “but I shall want you to stay here and attend to visitors. Tell all callers that I have gone to Chicago and won’t return for several days. Un- derstand?” “Yes, sir.” “When you go to lunch, lock up the office.” Croft re-entered his room and Joe heard him turn the key in the door. =5 “Something is certainly up,” thought Joe. “I ee what it pies ; : e went on reading his paper. At a quarter” of one he decided to go to lunch. As he put on his hat Jimmy came in. : “Has Croft got here yet?” ke asked. “Gone to Chicago and won’t return for several days,” replied Joe. “Tell that to Sweeney.” “That is my instruction.” “He’s béen here, then?” “He has.” “T’ll stay till he comes back.” “From Chicago?” a= “Aw, rats! ane hasn’t gone to Chicago. Where — are going? Z : “Po lunch, and I’m going to lock up.” “Lock up if want to. I'll stay here.” : = ‘ + 2s re = here looking for me?”

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20 = went to the offices of the Interstate Land Im- provement Company and looked in. They were . deserted of all the girls, and two men were going over some books, while a third was examining a pile of papers. A fourth man, who looked like an officer in plain clothes, sat near the door. He ~ asked Joe what he wanted. “Oh, I’m a reporter. I wanted to find out if Pres:dent Steele was here.” “No, he isn’t here.” “Is he any relation of Steele the loan broker, on Broadway?” _ “He’s the same man.” ~*You don’t say!’ cried Joe, much surprised. “That chap has dealings with our office,” added ‘Joe, forgetting he had said he was a reporter. “What paper are you connected with?” _ “Evening Moon,” said Joe, recollecting him- The man made no further remark, so Joe with- drew. When he entered his own office he found _~ +» Jimmy had gone. He surmised Croft had seen : him and iet ra out by the private door. Two or three brokers came in that afterncon and Joe told them Croft had gone to Chicago. At five -o’cleck he went home. He found Mrs. Taylor at his flat. She told him that Steele’s collector had taken all of her possessions, except the carpets, a few pictures, and some of the unimportant kitchen things. “All right,” said Joe. lawyer’s with me.” ; “Call at my office in the morning, Mrs. Taylor, and I'll begin legal proceedings against Steele,” _ said Adams, on hearing her story. ‘ad - “Get out a warrant for his arrest,” said Joe, St “ “and we'll sce if we can’t catch him before the _ Government does.” “Come around to the Steele, the loan shark, was the president of the te Land Improvement Company, which hed been raided by the post office. Next morn- _ ried the mail into the private room, as usual. On ~ + the floor near the desk was a piece of paper. He shed it up and glanced over the writing. Then i uttered an ejaculation of astonishment. The : showed him that Croft was none other than _zauch-wanted Steele. He put the note in his “Tf Croft comes here to-day I'll see that he’s ia Be ed in,” he said. . Ten o'clock came and Lawyer Adams walked eee: a “lve got a warrant for Steele’s arrest,” he case agente it to me. I may be able to use it,” said en ~ At that moment Jimmy came in. —— - “Croft in?” he asked. _.— *Hasn’t come back from Chicago.” os __ Jimmy grinned in a sickly way. — “PIL wait till he does.” _ _ “If you hear from Steele let me know,” said dams, as they walked oyer to the door, and Joe promised he would. Ten minutes. later Croft cautiously opened the a ome | Then he told Adams and Mrs. Taylor that Joe was down to the office nearly. He car-' AMONG THE SHARKS Joe went in. “T shan’t want — any more, Thompson. Here is your week’s wa: You can go.” “All right, Mr. roft, but I want you.” “What do you mean?” “I mean you are Steele and I have a warrant for your arrest.” Quick as a wink Joe picked up a coil of thin rope that lay on the desk and threw it around the money-lender to prevent him from getting away. He drew it tight and knotted it while Croft roared. for Jimmy. Rushing out by the private door, Joe made for the office of the In- terstate Land Improvement Company, and. but- ted into a policeman. “Come with me—quick! I want you to arrest a man I have a warrant for.” He showed the officer the warrant as he pulled him along. In the meanwhile Jimmy had come in answer to Croft’s cries. He started to release the money-lender. The door opened, admitting Joe and the police- man. “There’s your prisoner, officer,” said Joe, point- ing.at the well-dressed man found in the chair. “What’s the charge?” asked the-cop. “Swindling. He’s a money shark, and a migh- _ ty mean one, too.” - Croft protested and denied that he was Steele. © but the policeman took him away, and his iden- tity was soon demonstrated in the police court. The Government stepped in and wanted him, and arrangements were made by which he was to be prosecuted on both charges. To save himself from the first he settled with Mrs. Taylor through Lawyer Adams, and she not only got her furniture back, but $1,000 for withdrawing the charge. Croft’s offce was taken Government and Joe starte position. He found one as clerk with a broker, in a few days, and it-proved a good one. Croft was tried, convicted and sent to the ate lanta penitentiary for five years. A year later there was a double wedding, in which Joe and Marie and Havens and Grace figured as the principals. Mrs. Thompson went to live with Joe and Mrs. Havens with her son, but they subsequently took turn about among their children. And now we will close our story, since our hero has ceased all connection with the foxy bunch of swindlers, and he is very glad that he - is no longer among the “sharks.” Sane of by the to look up another Next week’s issue will contain “IN BUSINESS *_ FOR HIMSELF; OR, THE LAD WHO MADE THE MONEY.” * oe ee “You are an honest boy,” said the lady, as she =e opened the roll of five one-dollar bills, “but the ~ money I lost was a five-dollar bill. Didn’t you see eS the advertisement?” “Yessim,” re- plied the ed had : Fu! a a ms 2 Ser ole found, but so that Pe: coal: we me * bon ‘Reward. b: il that I =

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’ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 21 CURRENT NEWS CUBAN ROBIN HOOD CAUGHT The Robin Hood of Cuba, Ramen Arroyo, whose game of hide and seek with the police has puzzled the authorities for months, was brought to Havana in chains and accorded a great popu- lar reception. The capture of “Arroyito,” as he is generally known, came accidentally near Cab- aiguan, Matanzas, when the military escort of a train on which he was travelling arrested him for carrying arms without a license. He was later identified at Santa Clara. The prisoner is said to have accumulated by ransoms and hold-ups a fund of $200,000 for his legal defense. FIND BOY AFTER NINE YEARS Nine years ago Russell Van der Berg, 16 years old, after a quarrel with his father, Hippilyte Van den Berg, restaurant chef, 21: West Jersay Street, Elizabeth, N. J., ran away from home. His family heard nothing from him until three ars ago, when they received a- letter from hina, written by Russell, which told of his wan- derings in Japan and other countries of the Far East. Since then no word. _-Three days ago the father received a telegram from Police Chief Brennon of Albany, Ga., which said that a young man, arrested there for vag- rancy, gave his name as Russell Van der Berg of » Elizabeth, N. J. Victor, a brother, went to Georgia. The two brothers are expected home. IS IT A PLESIOSAURUS? Belief that a plesidsaurian monster, an amphi- bian of the Mesozoic order generally believed to exist only in fossil form, is still alive in Pata- gonia was expressed by Professor Clementi Ouelli, director of the Buenos Ayres Zoological Gardens. He announced that he had received credible reports that such a monster was seen in a lake in the territory of Chubut, near the Andes Mountains. Professor Onelli made public a letter from an English friend named Sheffield, which recounted that while hunting in the Andes he discovered - a trail of flattened out vegetation near a lake, in- dicating the track of an animal of enormous weight. Later, says the letter, Mr. Sheffeld saw in the middle of the lake an animal with a col- ossal neck like that of swan, whose movements in the water indicated that the body was shaped like that of a crocodile. He said harpoons would be necessary to capture the monster. Professor Onelli said this evidence confirmed two previous reports that such an animal had been seen alive during the last year in the same regions, where various scientific expeditions have made a rich find of animals of geological ages. He said an expedition from Argentina or some other country ought to be sent to capture the animal. _ Figures Do Not Lie When we enlarged “Mystery Magazine” to 64 pages, put a handsome new cover on it, and began publishing stories by the best writers in the world, we told you that it | would be a success. Our prediction has come true. Everybody is reading it now. The - circulation has doubled. You can see it displayed on nearly all the newsstands. Peo- : _ are talking about it everywhere. The reason is easy to understand. It always / s ONE BIG FEATURE DETECTIVE STORY FOUR TO EIGHT CATCHY MYSTERY STORIES ter y money, and we are d If you’ want a sample free. - $i% = beth ; “ xy E SERIALS, SKETCHES AND SHORT ARTICLES _ . A DEPARTMENT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SUBJECTS con- s > * 3

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<9 _ Daring Dan Dobson i _ THE BOY WHO BEAT THE MOONSHINERS By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER XIIL. Into a Graver Danger. Dan and Tom were more than glad to get a chance for easy riding, as they started on along one of the quiet back roads to make a safe de- tour toward Dan’s home. Under the guidance of Zachary Shank, Dan felt _ sure that they would make the quickest time by taking the longest way for a while. This was wise. | _ For Jake Newcastle sent out the word, and his _ hirelings watched every road and byway between Newell's Ford and the western country in order to trap the fugitives from his vengeance. Judge Barton and his daughter remained for another day at the town, and then the judge started on toward the civilized part of the State - himself. ‘ Beryl rode with him. The poor girl was_al- bag a nervous wreck, after all the, danger she had gone through, and she looked, with a fright- ened manner, from right to left. R “My dear child,” said the judge, “you are fool- ish to worry over things now, for we are well on _ 4 OUr way out of the country. I have no fear for that young Dobson, for his worst ordeal is over. _. Y¥ouw-know they are holding him for ransom. will help get him out, because I feel myself part- Ty to blame for his predicament. ; - “Oh, father, that is so splendid of you. He __ will need your help. Do you think they would *. kilt him—that is such a horrible word to say, even.” _ |. Her father tried to calm her fears.~ “No, no, ' not at all. These men are more bark than bite. _ They would pay bitterly for such a death.” But - in his heart was the knowledge that Dan Dob- __ gon’s life hung jn the balance, where it was con- cerned with the treacherous mountaineers. Jake _ Newcastle was the kind of villain who would stop at no evil trickery to gain the slightest __ “Heigh-ho,” muttered the judge. “I wish I had " never left the East for this wicked country. The sat cities are bad enough. You expect evil in toe, but here in the beautiful mountain coun- " ew apna think that the trees and the ao . Ney on <i at human nature is the he rural ins, for evil abounds and on the - FAME AND FORTUNE ‘WEEKLY can only be conquered—anywhere, any time—by courage and fidelity. : The two of them rode along for many miles, with sad hearts. The girl could not. help but feel that she had been responsible to a great degree for the plight _ which she supposed the young land owner to And the judge made up his mind as his steed jogged forward, that money was not the greatest thing in the world, after all. Meanwhile, it is interesting to return to the scene of the escapade of Dan Dobson, at the mountaineer’s house. The French leave of the prisoner drove the men to a frenzy, for they knew that they would have to pay bitterly for their carelessness. Such a master as Jake Newcastle was most ~ brutal to his own supporters when he considered them remiss. The mem were not wrong in their fears. Newcastle was a good while working himself loose from the bonds in which he had been left by Tom and Dan. At last, however, his great physical strength helped him to freedom. Cursing and fairly staggering from exhaustion after his efforts, he picked his way to the road- way. He had heard the body of horsemen pass, but the gag about his neck and mouth prevented him from calling to them before. Now, he ruefully started on the long, long walk to the headquarters of his gangsters. _ It seems a short ride, when one is mounted on a spirited, nimble horse along rough country toads. $ But to Newcastle his way seemed miles and miles more than the whole distance from New York to San Francisco, before the lights of the farmhouse greeted him—long after nightfall. The men were very quiet in the house. They were waiting for trouble. : Arrival at the house spurred’ the raging leader to fresh strength for a little while. E “You hounds, now I’m going. to settle with you for letting that fool eseape and trick me!” He rushed into the room, and reached behind © the door, where, on a hook, hung his long blacksnake whip which he used to beat his dogs with—and sometimes others, as in this case. Swish! ; Swearing, with his face twisted with rage, he whirled and beat indiscriminately with his lash, while the cowed and subdued men of his gang yielded to their instincts and dodged backward © with cries for mercy. “Ym master here, all right!” cried’ Newcastle, as he caught up-a shotgun from a corner. “Now, I’m going to out a few more of you with this shooting-iron, unless I learn how that rascal - got away, and what direction he went in.” ? “Ja—ja—jake!” stuttered one frightened man hardly able to articulate through his bush of as he trembled with fright, Shank was loose ag’in, an’ most likely h in tech with this rapscallion an’ eg home by the back kentry!” } (To be continued.) 5 i ree * -

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ITEMS OF INTEREST CLAM YIELDS 62,000 PEARL Mrs, Randolp Walder, wife of a retired Brook- - }yn business man, reported to the management of the Traymore Hotel, Atlantic City, N. J., that she had found in a dish of steamed clams at din- ner a pearl worth $2,000. Mrs. Waldner first thought that she had dis- lodged a tooth, but a closer inspection showed that the foreign substance was a pearl which was appraised to-day as worth $2,000. DIGS WORMS BY ELECTRICITY When Joe Siegfried, aged eleven, of Kennewick, Wash., starts his electric tickler from three to fourteen big worms wriggle out of the surface be- tween the electrodes, praying to get into the bait can. All Joe has to do is to pick them up. The boy drives two iron stakes into the ground about two feet apart, says Popular Science, and eonnects them with the terminals of a hand mag- —-neto. As soon as he turns a crank the earth be- tween the stakes is charged with electricity, and the angleworms make a quick move from that - —_-wicinity. SOLD GERMAN WAR SECRETS - Important German military secrets have come into the hands of the Japanese Government agents, according to information reaching author- tative cireles in Berlin. Among these are pro- - cesses for making star shells, the formula for a contact fuse for range finding and “certain sub- marine plans and naval secrets.” _ For the theft of these and other secrets at least ten Germans have been tried for high treason and ene and a half year’s imprisonment. Four of them were former German officers; the others _-were employees of a German manufacturing firm which filled huge war orders. A CACHE OF $60,000,000 : - Maps and charts of an isolated island in the South Seas on which treasure worth $60,000,000 gs said to have been buried in 1820 are in the pos- session of Mrs. James Brown, widow of an aged retired sea captain, who died in Augusta, Me., which Frederick Mason, newspaper correspondent of Augusta, Me., has offered to obtain for : E University of Iowa, who is to cruise : Seas next year in search of museum material. Captain Brown claimed to be the only man a = Aesag He said ped transfer it in 1850 from the island on which it_originally was hidden to another island where it was again ‘buried. Socos Island, about 550 miles “southwest 2 a > ; four received sentences of from seven months to’ n the world who held the key to the location of _ of Panama, is said to have been the original loca- past five years in different parts of the world to recover the gold, silver, jewels, diamonds and other precious stones, One or two expeditions are said to have found the island, but to have had no success in the search for the treasure. Captain Brown was mate of the schooner Sea- foam in which Captain Henry Smith of Salem. Mass., set out from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1850. to recover the fortune. Captain Smith told his mate it was loot obtained during the Peruvian insur- Prsiee in age and ae his father, master of e schooner Blac itch of i it on Cocos Island. sey ge ~~ The expedition, Capt. Brown told his fri found the treasure and moved it to another fined. There all the crew died except the captain, stew-- ard and himself. They started in the ship’s long boat for Australia, taking about $1,000,000, but on the passage the other two died. He arrived at Cochin Bay, West Australia, and was sure he was the only person who knew where the treasure was buried. . ; ‘ < | ‘Mystery Magazine” See SEMI-MONTHLY 10 CENTS A COPY LATEST ISSUES a THE TRANCE DETECTIVE, by Ch ursier. FRIDAY AT TWELVE, by Katherine Stage Za oe BY THE LEFT HAND, by Hamilton Craigie = HUE MELODY On aPC Pe ESR we, Rate leva oy Sad hig Oe J TY’S, by Fred E. Shuey. THE LOST STAR OF THE FILMS, by Jack Beeh- COUNTERFEIT CLUES, by Chas. F. Qursler. 100 A SECRET SERVICE MYSTE = SECRE MYSTERY, Pes -~ Craigie and Eliot Balestier, Ly See 101 A CRIMSON PRICE, by Elliott Lester, nea 102 THE INSPECTOR’S STRANGE CASE, by Gottlieb — , “103. A’ MUSEUM MYSTERY, by Jack Bech a3 oe 104 THE LITTLE RED BOOK, by Alexander Young 105 A MAN FROM SIAM, by Charles Fulton Oursler. The Famous Detective Story Out Today In Ne. 106 Is =< ed THE CLUE OF THE EMERALD RING By BEULAH ‘POYNTER. HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., - 166 West 23d Street, New York City — Fs » “Moving Picture Stories” Seen A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE SEVEN CENTS PER COPY

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The Frontiersman’s Escape By JOHN SHERMAN Many years ago, when Iowa was the western border of ordinary American travel, Morton Mas- sey built a cabin near to the spot where the town of Muscatine now stands, and maintained himself, wife and child, by tilling the ground in summer and trapping in winter. . Qne morning Massey was awakened in a very rude manner; the butt ends of half a dozen rid- ing whips battered against his strong door, and hoarse voices on the outside demanded admission. Looking out through a smal! window, the fron- tiersman saw half-a dozen men sitting on their _. teaming horses. = A-Not knowing them, and not knowing the ob- ect of their visit, he hastily slipped on all his ee: and grasped his rifle before unbarring Massey was a very good man, but he had a Stern, almost harsh countenance. The moment he appeared, one of the mounted men cried: “T’ll bet he’s the chap. He looks like a thief.” The backwoodsman turned fiercely on the speaker; his blood was up in less than a minute, and he cocked his rifle with an angry snap. Sty “Hold on!” authoritatively said one man, who . appeared to be the leader. “You can quarrel and ~ fight when we get this business finished. See here, mister; where is your stable?” a, shanty yonder,” snapped Massey, who -* wondered what it all meant. “Then unlock it, or we’ll make no bones about aoe smashing it in.” “Tt is always unlocked,” said the brave ‘fron- 7 . “But who are you that insult a peace- _ able man?” _ “We are the Cedarville Regulators,” replied = leader, “There was a fine horse stolen in wee and we've tracked the animal and thief here, a here the trail has come to an end.” had. dashed to the stable, and in an instant back “That Sane’ enough. Men of that nat sort did not questions or argue poin ; ae hfe. my lads!” cried the leader, and we by his men he threw himself upon Massey. rats e latter understood his situation in an in- 3 — He knew that through some plan, or else some chance the stolen horse had been in his stable, and on the evidence fur- nished oe this circumstance, these rough and eady regu would not hesitate to hang him. desire to die the Pieath e fought for liberty like a ‘While he had‘ been speaking, one of the men_ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY And while the weeping wife was crying out for mercy to them, they put Massey on the stolen horse and dashed away to Cedarville. Bound down to the horse’s back Massey passed over mile after mile, until from his rigid posi- tion and his swift passage through the cold air, he became censiderably chilled. “Men,” he said, for his tongue was free, “you are torturing an innocent man.” “Bah!” was the jeering cry. “And even if I am guilty——” He was going to make an appeal for mercy, when at that very instant there rang out a loud chorus of yells. Like a whirlwind in the desert a band of In- dians swept down upon them. The horse to which Massey was bound had been traveling soberly along with the rest, not led, nor arged, but when the charge was made and the bullets began to fly, he kicked up his heels, snorted, and rushed away at full speed, not caring for such hot quarters. Like Mazeppa, bound to the wild horse of Tar- tary, Massey was borne away at a rapid rate, he knew not whither. For over a mile the frightened animal ran on; then he reached a piece of heavy timber land, and the frontiersman expected that he would moderate his speed, but still he rushed on with frightened bounds. At length, however, the anima] struck heavily against a tree; there was a severe shock, a rip- ping, tearing sourd, and then the hunter flew from the back of the steed to the greensward. The force with which he struck wpon the hard earth deprived Massey of all sensibility. His leg had come in contact with a very sharp- edged piece of bark, and the result was a gash from which the blood oozed forth in a tiny stream. = : for perhaps an hour he lay there, as in a mazy -dream, but half recovered from his stupor. Then a heavy paw touched him on the leg. I¢ brought him back to consciousness with a jump; a large gray wolf was over him- ° Massey gave such a scream of genuine terror that the animal bounded away in a perfect fright. To his surprise, the hunter found that the shock had broken the cords that bound him. Hé bounded to his feet; the cold air revived him. He saw the great wolf slinking away like a cowardly cur through the trees, and he felt a thrill of terror as he heard a long chorus of ner Ee coming from all sides. He looked down at the injured leg, saw the trickling blood, and knew that the keen-scented animals had smelt his life current. ? He glanced around him, mapped out his course in his mind, and then away he started for home. Within two wainutes’ time there were fully p< Bom wolves on his track. Em by numbers, the otherwise cow- ardly animals began to close in upon him. . mn felt for his weapons. _ He had but a ° ‘Putting on his best speed, the settler ran on, _ gusting may ¢ a backward atomrene his four-footed Neat and eet came the yelling pack of wolves.” t= oe if I had eer tts scare the amily, — Rive.

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY them,’ muttered Massey. “Powder would scat- ter them. Never mind, J’ll stretch some of them out before I get down.” An instant later the foremost ones of the pack were upon him. He turned with the knife in his hand, made a quick slash, and stretched the first wolf out w d. In an instant the other wolves had torn their comrade to shreds, while the frontiersman ran fleetly on. Brief respite. In less than two minutes the hungry demons were on his track. Whir! through the air sprang’ the largest an- imal in the pack, and landed fairly on the hunter’s back. His lolling tongue and hot breath touched. Massey’s cheek; the latter stabbed at again, yet still he clung on, and his weight was tearing Massey down to the ground, when—— Crack! the keen report of a rifle rang out, and the wolf dropped down dead, while the rest of the ~pack, at the discharge of firearms, turned tail and ran. ; seaae And then Massey found that he was close to his cabin, and that it was his faithful wife who _- fired the timely shot. sad The band of regulators were wiped out by the Indians, and as nobody else troubled themselves about the horse case, Morton Massey was left un- ~ molested to live to a ripe old age, and recount ever and over the story of the frontiersman’s » escape. : ee ee ed THE DIVER’S PERILS _ A diver risks his life every time he descends below the surface of the sea, for countless dan- gers beset him in his under sea work. One of the greatest risks he runs is the fouling of the air pipes. A French diver has just lost his life in this way, though working at a depth - of only 52 feet. -. To prevent such’ fouling the diver must be very eareful to note exactly where he wanders once he touches ground so that he can return the same wae If not, the lifeline may become entangled, and it ‘ eles ae my. th ae, nid J \ ae A 9 * a le me % is the hardest thing in the world to free _ it in the partial darkness. For this reason sunken wrecks provide the biggest dangers. The diver must exercise cau- tion when climbing about the helds or penetrat- ing from cabin to cabin that air pipes and life- lines are quite free. is the pressure of the 200 feet there is a pres- ‘him over’ his shoulder, striking him again and. ; putrifying fish or meat. 25 the diver while he is working and seizes his chance to bite the man’s hands at the wrists, just where the diving dress ends. And this fish is afraid of nothing. The octopus is another terrible foe to be reck- oned with, for his tentacles will strangle a diver once. they get a hold. All divers are supplied with small axes to ward off the attacks of these creatures. Rays and devilfish are also dangerous, but are not so bad to fight as the octopus, which adds to the danger of a combat by squirting a brown fluid about in the water and bewildering the diver. . Everything possible is done to insure the diver’s safety. His dress is of one piece, made of tanned twill and rubber, with a large opening at the neck. The helmet, which screws tightly on the shoulders, is of copper, and the air is pumped into it through a canvas-covered rubber -pipe. Outlet valves are fitted for the escape of bad air. This helmet weighs about 28 pounds and the two boots are an equivalent weight. Training for the work is long an arduous, and the diver must be physically strong. He starts in four fathoms and gradually works on till he can dive safely in 120 feet. But a long time elapses before he can do this. ; Though a risky life, it has its advantages. It is well paid and the diver has the knowledge of knowing he can work where other men cannot, ~ and he is proud of this. a rear tae 0 . SEA LIONS THINK THEY OWN LIGHTHOUSE Sea lions have captured the keeper and light- house on Bride’s Island, below Cape Flattery, off the coast of Northern Washington.. In an appeal for weapons and help to the Federal authorities in Tacoma, the keeper, Alexis Covern, says the sea lions have invaded his quarters, slept in his bed and overturned his casks of fresh water. , His apes shows the unusual animal sagacity possessed by sea lio; When he opens the door of his cottage a troop of sea lion pups march into’ the house and at meal times the odors of coffee and bacon attract battalions of huge grandpas. _ One specimen whose size was a third greater’ — than the average, formed a habit of: pine elimbing the exterior steps to the eb then... 8 ues aimee The sea lions will not migrate from Bride's island. They remain year after year and as they — have multiplied are now in full possessien of the island and the innumerable rocks nearby. => Covern reports that he «€ them awa y by bright fe bombs, shotgun shale o fire-crackers. To kill one simply :

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26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, APRIL- 7, 1922 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Single Postage ...........+-+- Postage Free 7 Cents One Copy Three Month ts y ae 90 Cents One Copy Six Months........ oF ~ $1.75 - One Copy One Year.,........ = = 3.50 Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. 0. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances jn any other way are at your risk. We accept Fostags Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. Ad- dress letters to S 4 HARRY E. WOLFF Wolf, Pr ’ ag Bs ch \ Putitbers tos Cc. W. Hastings, Treas. Charles E. Nylander, Sec. 166 W. 23d St., N. Y. INTERESTING ARTICLES RARE 1861 STAMP BRINGS $540 A one-cent postage stamp of the issue of Au- gust, 1861, was auctioned off in Philadelphia the o other day for $540. The purchaser’s name was not disclosed. Less. than half a dozen of the stamps known as the “1-cent August” were in -. existence, it was said. PASTOR STARVES FAMILY : : For obeying what he declared to be the voice of the Lord ordering him and his family to deny themselves the ordinary comforts of life and to . fast, Robert A. Schlossher of Pontiac, Ill., has -- been committed to a hospital for the insane, it was learned recently. Schlossher’s three children are in a hospital, one of them in a precarious condition due to fasting. ~ POE’S DUNGEON IS DENTIST’S CHAIR FOR TIGER Dental’ work on a tiger in the Cincinnati Zoo was simplified by adopting a scheme from the les of Edgar Allan Poe. Superintendent Sol contracting walls of the iron dungeon in Poe’s “Pit and the Pendulum.” < ‘The animal was induced to enter a narrow . eage, the rear of which was fitted with a wood- the bars of the cage and pinioned there, After iG that it was a simple matter to treat the tooth, ; A DESERT MADE FERTILE - One region of the Colorado Desert, where the -__ eseape of the Colorado River has more than once _ eaused serious trouble, has been made fertile, _ the underground eee being utilized for irrigat- Stephen, says Popular Science, remembered the _t6,”: ee FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY duced -only in Arabia and the oases of northern ahi but which are now successfully grown ere. It has been found by Government experts that the fertility of soils depends largely on their capacity for retaining moisture. In many West- ern localities crops grow luxuriantly with scarce- ly any summer rain. It is even thought to be possible that the permanent water supply ex- isting at a depth of from forty to one hundred feet may be responsible for the ever present moisture. LAUGHS “The artist I met the other day is a good mixer.” “He must be when he can paint water views in oil.” : . Nurse (taking his temperature)—Sir, you are in danger—your temperature is 104. Business Man—When it reaches 105 sell. Dorothy (who quotes Shakespeare)—What is your favorite play? Charles—Well, I believe I ae to see a man steal second as well as any- ing. Judge—Your wife complains that for three years you never spoke to her. What reason can you assign for such conduct? Defendant—I didn’t want to interrupt her. “My husband, fifteen years ago,” said Mrs. Blank, “used to kiss me every time we passed through a tunnel. But now ” She gave a bit- ter laugh. “Now,” she said, “he takes a long pull at his travéling flask.” “I should like to open an account at this bank, if you please.” “We shall be glad to accommo- date you, madam. What amount do you wish to deposit?” “Oh, but I mean a charge account, such as I have at the big-dry goods stores.” “Elsie,” said her mother to a little 5-year-old, who had just finished saying her prayers, “did you ask God to forgive you for being naughty to-day?” “Yes, mamma, I did,” replied the child, “and God said ‘My dear child, there’s lots of ’em worser’n you are!’” .“Now,; if I were only an ostrich,’ began the man at the breakfast table, as he picked up one of his wife’s biscuits, “then———” “Yes,” inter- rupted the patient, better-half, “then I might get a few feathers for that old hat I’ve worn for three winters.” ; “What is this Civil Service business that they are always talking about?” asked the Boob. “What good does it do?” “It is like this,” replied _ = the Cheerful Idiot. “If you have a job and you are not under Civil Service, they can fire you any time they want to. er Civil Service they can’t fire you unless they want — But if you have a job under — .

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CARATOGIAN WINS $10.AS TOWN’S PRIZE EATER ‘Clarence Woods, a chauffeur of the Saragota Taxi Company, ate three quarts of baked beans, one pound of pork, drank three bottles of home brewed beer and smoked two cigars. He then * - walked Rome to get something to eat. _- When he completed the feast in the presence ' of a hundred spectators perched on top of stored __. automobiles, Woods received a ten dollar prize from Dr. David C. Nolan. Up to noon the next day Woods had not re- turned to work. Dr. Nolan, it is said, expects to regain posses- _ Ssion of the “prize” through professioned services a to the victor. ie THE FIERCEST OF THE WILD <a The* most dangerous animal on earth is said to be the seladang or gaur, a species of wild cattle found in the jungles of Assam and the Malay _ Peninsula. It is not known in the domesticated » state. Except for one baby seladang that died before it reached a menagerie, not one has ever _ been captured aliye. ‘The full-grown seladang is the most ferocious of all wild cattle; so keen is its sense of smell and vision and_so swift its _ charges that it is held in mortal terror by the na- tives. There is no escape for the victim that is Caught on the horns of this beast. He will be - tossed and trampled into shreds. Spears and ~ small arms only increase the seladang’s ferocity. Its hide is so tough that it is valued highly as material for shields, | “a4: DEATH FLOWERS _ By the Mexican marigolds are known as cleath flowers from an exceedingly appropriate legend that they sprang up on the ground stained by the life blood of those who fell victims to the love of gold and cruelty of the early Spanish settlers. Among the Virginian tribes, too, clover was apposed to have sprung from and to be colored y the blood of the red man slain in battle with white invaders In a similar manner the red ‘poppies which followed the plowing of the field of Waterloo were said to have sprung from the . vod of the killed and wounded in that famous vattle. According to tradition, the Danish in- vasion is the cause of the daneweed,-a coarse, eraceous plant common in England, as it g from the blood of Danes slain in battle, nd if cut on a certain day in the year it bleeds. dwarf elder, for the same reason, is called wort and daneblood. inte: = : dwell La FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY FROM ALL POINTS which possess the power of digesting oganic mat- ter. ‘ The luckless insects which fall into this liquid are gradually absorbed by the plant. But while most insects carefully avoid this: death trap, a- particular species of spider chvoses it as a dwell-. ing place. By spinning a little web like a car-” pet over a part of the waxy interior of the pitcher it is enabled to stay there in safety. These spiders have apparently chosen their sin- gular home just because of its dangers. In such 2 place they are protected against their enemies. If alarmed the spider drops into the liquid at the bottom of the plant and remains there until its enemy has disappeared, escaping afterward probably by means of a silken cable which it had spun as it fell. A'short submergence in the digestive fluid is not injurious. to the spider. ; TEACHER, 45, MARRIES ONE OF HER PUPILS, 18. . An astonishing situation at the high school, _ Avon, N. Y., has followed the belated announce-. ment of the*wedding of Mrs. Laura S. Spencer, forty-five years old, preceptress, to Nell Cushing, eighteen, one of her pupils. : The boy students registered their protest against the continuation of duties at school on the part of the bride, by declaring a strike. They demand that their former playmate quit his studies. - The belligerent students declare they will. not. return until the school authorities take stringent action. The School Board at a special meeting decided that the school mistress, who has five children, two of whom are older than her youthful bride- groom, had violated no school rule and would be permitted to continue her work. A warning was issued to the striking boys that “strick disciplina- ry measures” will be meted out to them if they do ‘ not return to their desks. _ The girl pupils, however, have taken a different view of the romance. ‘After they heard the news : of the wedding they. pooled their finances and. purchased about seventy pounds of rice and sev-. _ eral bushes of confetti. When the teacher and her boy husband came from the school house they - buried them under a good luck shower. The school mistress and her athletic eee pupil announced recently that they eng dies Fd E The wedding took place in Pennsylvania on Oc- tober 1 last. ‘ See present Mrs. Cushing’s first husband was He died aS

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY A FEW GOOD ITEMS CRABS VS. CONCRETE In an effort to foil the shipworm, a wooden bridge crossing Boce Celga Bay, Fla., was re- placed by one of concrete. Certain marine crabs, however, peculiar to that region, selectéd this bridge as their own, tunneling and boring into the adamantine material with ease. These crus- taceans are known locally as stone crabs, and they are equiped with enormous, heavily armed claws. With the aid of these powerful tools they haye succeeded in reducing portions of the con- crete pilings to pulverized chalk. WON’T EAT RABBITS Raising rabbits for food has ceased to be re- munerative in Germany. Too much of rabbit’s sweetish meat was consumed during the lean years of the war and the people will have no more of it. Rabbit sausage was for months the only meat that appeared on many German tables. Hutches were built in back gardens, on roofs and bal- conies, in numerous odd corners about the cities. They are all gone now and the people are de- manding beef and pork. : Millions of rabbits were imported during the 78 war. Berlin bought $25,000,000 worth in a single order and has not yet paid for them. : NOTE FOR $63.62 IN 1794 TO BRING HER FORTUNE - : An old promissory note, given by the common- wealth of Massachusetts to Samuel T. Mather : in 1794 for $63.62 and 5 per cent. interest, com- Z pounded semi-annually, may bring between $30,- 000 and $40,000 to Mather’s (eee daughter, Mrs. Almyra Gaylord Conner, a young kindergarten teacher of Berkeley,.Cal. se While in the East last summer attending her © mother’s funeral Mrs. Conner found the note, un- paid, in an old family trunk, which had been _ ~~ given her years ago for her dolls’ clothes. ee Mrs. Conner took the note to an attorney, who advised her that-payment could not be made with- ‘out the passage by the Massachusetts Legislature of a special act, for in 1821 the Legislature passed a bill calling for payment of all such notes and _ providing that interest would not be paid after a reasonable time was given for presentation. A bill has been introduced in the Legislature, _ Mrs. Conner has been advised, calling for pay- _ ment of the note, and she will go East soon to ~ attend a hearing on the matter. It is thought that possibly the Legislature will authorize payment, as the note represents a moral if not a legal debt. ORIGIN OF THE LIFEBOAT _ Among the “accidental” inventions may be men- tion lifeboat, Im the course of a coun his help in lifting a heavy vessel of water just drawn from the well. On the surface of the wee there floated the broken half of a wooden wl. Woodhave was drawn into conversation and, like many another man who cannot keep his hands quiet while he talks, he idly toyed with the floating piece of wood. Naturally he turned it over and found’ to his surprise that it immedi- ately righted itself. He inverted it again, with the same result; and since he was at the time actually at work on the problem of an unsinka- ble boat he immediately realized the importance of his chance discovery. It is an experiment that any one can readily make for himself. All one requires is the fourth part of a hollow “prolate spheroid’; or to put it in more homely language, the quarter of ,a co- coanut shell split from end to end. Put the shell in a bow! of water and you will find that it will not remain capsized, but will return at once to an even keel. In scientific language, it will float only with the convex surface downward. AN ODD DOMICILE One of the oddest domiciles.on earth is that erectéd at Yokohama by a noted Japanese bac- teriologist. It may be described as a dustproof, airproof, germproof building of glass, which stands on the open, unshaded grounds of the hos- pital of Yokohama. es The house is forty-four feet long, twenty-three feet wide and seventeen feet high. Large panes of glass, one-half inch thick and about four inches apart, are set in iron frames so as to form the sides of a cellular building block. Of these blocks the walls are constructed. . There are no window sashes, the air escape be- ing through several small openings around the ~ upper part of the second story, but through which no air from the outside is admitted. The air supply is obtained from a considerable distance, forced through a pipe and carefully fil- ay through cotton wool to cleanse it of bac- ia. To insure further protection and sterilization, cs the air is driven against a glycerine-coated plate of glass, which captures all the germs the wool ‘spares. The few germs brought inte the house in. the clothés of the visitors soon die in the warm. sunlight with which the place is flooded. The space between the glasses of the build- ing blocks is filled with a solution of salts which absorb the heat-of the sun, so that the rooms of the house are. much cooler. than those pro- ~ tected by the thickest shades. In the evening ~ the interior is heated b heat they have absorbed during the day. ; So effective is the system of regulating the temperature : ; in fal weather, will render the house hab- _ itable. It is only when several cloudy days fol- low in succession that artificial heat is needed. Then*it is supplied by pumping in hot air. — the salts radiating the that a few hours of sunlight, even — ;

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BIG VALUE for 10 Cis or 10 Cis, , 6 Songs, words and music; 25 Pic. ® tures Pretty Girls;40 Waysto Make sone 1 Joke Book; I Book on Love; 1 Magic Book; 1 Book Letter Writing; 1 Dream ‘Book and For- tune Teller; 1 Cook Book; 1 Base Ball Book, gives rules for games; 1} Toy Maker Book; Language of Flowers; i. Morse Telegraph Alpha- bet; 12 Chemical Experiments; Marr's Age Table; Great North Pole Game; 100 Conundrums; 3 Puzzles; 80 Verses for Autograph Albums,’ Ali mail for 10 cts, and 2 cts. TREATED FREE 10 days to prove quick relief. Dr. Coffee had catarrh, deafness, head noices. Two surgical operations failed. He found a treatment that gave complete relief. Thousands used it successfully. Want you to Stry it free. W: OR. WY. O. COFFEE, Dept. 149 Davenport, iowa Removed at home; no knife, No pain. No cost ff it fails ] Success: ft pty * ir Seats hae onial. GOITRENE COMPANY: 438 West 63rd St. Chicago Boys’ GwnToy Maker Telis how to make a Talking Machine, Camera, Electrical Motor, Bicycle See oops | Bobeled, Wind Mill, Microscope, Water ee! Motor, Stilts, Tobogean, Snow Coaster and Sail Boat, Telephona, Eiectric Bell, Railroad, Wind Mobile, Paddle Reft, Zrapa Elites etc. 41) 1Ocents, postpaid, ivans Asso., Chihuahua, Mexico — top Using a Truss can thrown away forever, and it’s all because Stuart's PLAPAO-PADS are different, being medicine applicators ad -adhesive NO STRAPS, BUCKLES OR SPRINGS ATTACHED, cannot slip, 80 cannot chafe or press aoe sw e Thousands have treated themselves in the privacy the home, and report most obstinate cases cured—no delay from work. Soft as velvot—easy to epely—inem. pensive. Process of recovery is na go alterw: no use for trusses. Awarded Gold Medal Internati: Exposition, Rome; Grand Parts, Write us today to prove it by sending TRIAL AO, Address, Piavac Co. 2185 Stuart Bldg, St.Louis, Mo. Piavac Co. 2185 Stuart Bidg, St. L< bled sores, implies, thr: pst the ramestae hae have tent. pen ihe or = yobes tely from pesis! Want to give you_the joy surprise of your life by sending the curative Dr. th’s Skin Ointment. Be rid of sores, ng or ; have fins, clear in. Enjoy life! doctor’s vyaluab! mailed FREE. dress: ‘Dr, Booth & Riker, 507 Fifth Av., SA-12, New York. WERE YOU BORN UNDER A LUCKY STAR? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ALL THAT THERE I8 TO ENOW ABOUT YOUR Character Abilities Disposition Friends Good Traits and Weaknesses Lucky Days READ ‘YOUR OWN CHARACTER a yourself is far more important than you may at first imagine. For it is absolutely true that any added knowledge of your own inherent qualities will greatly assist you in reaching a higher degree of success. You can be just as successful a8 you desire. It is all in your power of will. But before you can exercise this power in the right direction, you must thoroly stady yourself, “How To Read Human Nature” SERIES OF TWELVE BOOKS Price 10 cents each, Postpald to any address These books give in concise form a positive key to Self-development. They are based on a study of thousands of characters—are preg- nant with, keen analysis and most helpful character-building hints. Send us ten cents and the month of your birth and the book will be mailed jate- ly. Use coupon below. If you have a friend, acquaintance or buast- ness associate whose character and dispos!- tion you would like to study, obtain our book corresponding with the month in which such person was born. IF YOU ARE IN LOVER — you should know the character, disposition, good points, abili- ties, and weaknesses of the person in whom you are interested. Ascertaju the month of birth. and then send for our book of that month. Enclose another dime. : Pee eee ee eee eee eee cere Tere » CHARACTER STUDIES, Inc., Room 1515, Masonic Temple, N. Y¥. C. I enclose. ...:... _Send books of (give months).....ccsovssercses Name ; PPP eo rrr | Address Aten ere ee nen eeeneeeseseeeaseuseneees EK

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Eddy, Westport Sa ae Submit MSS...or write Literary Bureau. 515 33-73, Kansas City, Mo. an 7a Me at A BY SONGWRITERS MISCELLANEOUS {] FREE BOOKLET—‘‘song Writing: Pacts.”* | Song poems wante ‘ree examina’ e@ write music, fa HE deen” Cate. na leec ie aaa. gle] publlcatian. SUCCESSFUL SONG 3 VICE, 240 West a oe eee - PE Dera Ne N Fidid Be poss miusic, secure copyright, and print. § poems on any subject. SETON MUSIC COMPANY, 920 3. Michigan Ave., Room 122, Chicago. WRITE THE WORDS FOR A SONG, Wo revise poems, write music and guarantee to secure publication. Sub- mit poems on any subject, Broadway studios, 165C, Fitrgerald Building, New York. : STAMMERING ST-STU-T-T-TERING and stammering cured at home, Instructive booklet free. Walter McDonnell, 1 Potomac Benk Bldg.. Washington, D. C. TOBACCO. HABIT oo eet at ee erious Sohaote Ants Bt. Sospth, Moe = ; egy it eg ergy: or Snuff Habit cured or no “pay. ‘$1 emedy gent on trial. Superba Co, PC, Raltimore. Md. TOBACCO KILLS MANLY VicOR—Quit easily. ee en a Sttes, chewing, smoking, snuff. or no Se gd JAZZ Book. sie spicy yaparing published each Month; samples, 250. Bex 1 Hutchinson, Kansas. SEX | BOOKS FOR ADULTS —inrand catalog, dc, Smetana & Co., Dept. 27. Owosso, Mich. _ Smetana _& Co., Dept. 27. Owosso, Mich. EAEGTS Trademark, Copywright—foremost word free. ~ experience as patent solicitor. Prompt advice, poco very peescnste.. Correspondence solicited, sults Washington. D.C. ~ PERSONAL wou D i — i bg HA pretty girl? (stamp) RA ER, worth $112,000, wants ie “Wain, write, (L-B) Club. B-300. ‘Cimarron, K: published. GET MARRIED—Besc matinee! Mailed FREE. Address » Butte 628, Biairsville, Pa__ ; ndship cu 2933 Broadway, if satisfactory. Small sw ¢ om trial. Perkins t Co, 5 members. Send money, | Full treatm 6 “on City, Mo. Ned, JEWEL BOX THAT WILL SCARE THIEVES Among the newest thin gs that German in- ventors have sent us in the last few months -is a box that comes as near to being burglar-proof as it is possible to imagine. .It looks like an ordinary steel box with a key-hole in its side. But just lift it or move it and a loud.alarm bell begins to ring in- i it. This bell seeps on ringin med five hours and it cannot be sto i without sn ocking the box. A burglar might carry off the box; but its alarm would keep on ringing and would give him away before he cowkt -“ it to a place of safety. If he touches it even} stumbles against it, the alarm will arouse the household, for the slightest movement suffices to set it ringing. he same of course is true of the dishonest’ ser- vant. ~ * The owner can, however, . open and close the box at will, as he has the key. And the fonly way in which he can be ‘robbed is by some thief stealing the key before tem- pering with the box. This safe is ar- ranged inside with .trays for small articles, money and jewel- ry, and with space under them ‘fer — securities, such as bonds and 3

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Fame and Fortune Weekly — LATEST ISSUES —— 822 A Young Broker’s Money; or, Trapping the Sharpers ot Wall St. 825 Dollars and Cents; or, From Cash Boy to Partner. 824 Jimmy the Office Boy; or, A Plucky Wall Street Plunger. The Perils of a Young Mail 825 Always on Time; or, Contractor. 826 The Missing Bonds; or, A Lucky Boy in Wall St. 827 oe For Treasure; or, The Pirate’s Chest of xold. : 828 $10,000 Reward; or, The Fortune of a Bank Clerk. 829 Bought at Auction; or, The Bid that Led to Riches. 830 The re Copper King; or, The Boy Who Went the Limit, 831 Ralph, the Reporter; or, The Mystery of Assign- ment No. E 832 A Lucky Risk; or, The Nerve of a Wall Street 883 The Race for Gold; or, After an Aztec Treasure. 834 Tipped To Win; or, The Wall Street Messenger Who Made a Fortune. , 6385 The Boy Salesman; or, cess. 836 i SONS Money Broker; or, Striking Luck In Wall treet. 2 827 The Way To Fame; or, Dramatist. 838 In the Money Game; or, The Luck of Street Chums. 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After Missing Million; or, The Treasure of the 852 A Boy From the Streets; or, The Old Broker's > Protege. ; 853 A Born Hustler; or, ‘The Boy With the “Goods.” 854 Matt, the Money-Maker; or, A Strange Lad in Wall 855 Out for E Everything; or, The Boy Who Was Willed a 8. 856 In Wall Street to Win; or, The Boy Who Got the Money. $57 A Young Sinbad; or, Wrecked on a Treasure Island. 858 Bill Bond’s Syndicate; or, A Fortune From a Two- Cent Stamp. 859 The Boy Who Vanished; or, t Incas. The Treasure of the 860 A Born Broker; or, The Success of a Wall Street | Roy. 861 Striking a Good Thing; or, College Chums in Business. For sale by ali newsdealers, or will be sent to any ad "Adress on receipt of price, 7e. per copy, in money or Doe _ tage siamps, by : HARRY FE. WOLFE, Publisher r , Ine., 166 West 23d Street, New York City _ many kinds. OUR TEN:CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive and Amusing. They Contain Valuable Information on Almost Every Subject No. 4. 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Sixty-four pages: handsome colored cover, containing a half-tone photo of the author. : No. 8. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY—Containing the most approved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with a full of their meaning. Also. explaining ee ea — So 3 my for teBos cter by the bumps on y Leo ° Keech, A. C. SM. Fully tf 3 7” No. 83. HOW TO H and instructive hypnotism. Also e which are emplo. world. By Leo For sale , ealers, will be Fo itt seca pet soap ops, ~ money or stamps, by HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. _ 166 West 23d Street, No. 7. -l yi! ia al Hee Yaw