Pluck And Luck (no. 459) (1907 03 20)
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IN = COMPLETE STORIES OF ADVENTURE. Issued Weekly —By Subseriplion $2.50 per your. Entered as Second-Cluss Matter at the New York Post Office, November 7, 159s, by Irak Tousey. No. 459. NEW YORK, MARCH 20, 1907. Price 5 Cents. D>. To say that Alex was surprised would be a very mild way of describing his emotions as the wom- an gave him a resounding slap on the side of his head and face. He was dum- founded. He knew who she was.
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Be ex : PLUCK AND LUCK sd Complete Stories of Adventure. L. Weelly— By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, ee Noemter 7, "$08, Son oe to act of Congress, in the year 1907, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 4 Union Square, New York, NEW YORK, ‘No. 459. MARCH 20, 1907. Price 5 Cents. ’ THAT BOY OF BARTON'S OR, { THE LUCK OF A LAD IN WALL STREET By H. K. SHACKLEFORD. CHAPTER I. THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. : - Broker Barton had been in Wall street many years, His hair and mustache were white as snow. There were men in ‘the street who said he had been there forty years. No one knew how old he was. Some of the young brokers said he ‘had passed his hundredth birthday, and one insisted that he | was a passenger’ with Sir Hendrick Hudson when nobody lived on the island but Manhattan Indians, No matter how old “he was at the opening of our story, he was tall, straight as an arrow, keen, shrewd and much feared by the brokers who | haa dealings with him. The oldest brokers in the street could “make no charge against his integrity, but pretty near all of thom had spots to rub after dealing with him. He had three small rooms, one flight up in an old building ‘on Wall below Broad street, where now stand great sky- scrapers, In one room he had his desk and a big old rusty iron safe. In another-a bookkeeper and two clerks. In the | third: he kept an errand boy who was also office boy and usher for visitors to the old broker, Be That boy had been there nearly two years at the time of Fy Which we write, and was about sixteen years old. He had _ come from Virginia with his widowed mother and a sister ‘two years older than himself. A fire had reduced them to if direst poverty. . The sister went to work in a store, and the ~ boy left school to seek work where he could find it, By some ; strange inspiration fn his search for work he wandered down ; ‘into Wail street at a time of great excitement. A card hang- i & out bearing the legend “Boy Wanted” attracted his atten- a coke "youns,” ” nal he be a his head. m getting old every bis sir,’ " the boy; ventured to a ak “a Bera his. office. — ® A grim smile flashed over the old broker’s face, and his gray eyes twinkled. “That’s so, and so am I,” he remarked, name?” “Alex Alston, sir.” “Alston, eh? Why, that’s a Virginia name!” “I was born in Virginia, sir.” j “Hh?” and the old broker gave a start, glanced quickly at him again as if to say something. Then his face changed to an ashen pallor and he remained — silent as the Sphinx. A moment or two later he arose, went — into the bookkeeper’s room, took a big drink of water aud a went back. eats “Tl try you a week,” he said to the boy. “Mr. Babcock, — the bookkeeper, will tell you what you will have todo. The ~ main thing is to do just what you are told to do, and do {£54 Mir as quickly as possible.” That was the way Alex Alston got into Watt*etrest two years before the opening of our story, He had made himself indispensable to the old broker, who would as soon think of discharging his old bookkeeper as doing without the services | of his office boy. The boy understood him and his moods _ e better than anyone in his employ, and governed» ‘himself by ; that knowledge. , Hi ici Bs Yet’ nearly every broker who had dealings with: the oO! man had complained of the boy—of his pranks, The old r smiled grimly at every complaint and said: vi “T'll have him shot, sir.” , nN ' He was known to habitues of the street ag “That Boy Barton’s,” and by that title he was known up and dow: Ww Broad and Nassau streets, Some hated and man: ov h The other office boys kept awake of sia ut a plans to get even with him. f ‘One day a very stout, pompous, middle-aged om from a carriage in front of Barton’s and cl She remained an hour wi when she went away Alex. x het “What is your
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“Never let that woman see me here again under any circum- stances,” said the old broker to. him. He bowed and went out without uttering a word. 5 That was why the old man liked him so well—he never talked unless there was a necessity for it. A few days later the woman came in again, ' “Myr. Barton is out, ma’am,” he said to her in her blandest tone, ; “When will he be in?” she asked. “Don’t know, ma’am. He has business at the Stock Ex- * ehange, and no one knows what is going to happen next A there. (os : She looked up at the clock in a calculating sort of way and remarked: ‘ “As I am here now, I'll wait till he comes in. him,” and she sat down in a convenient chair. - Barton heard her in his little office and knew her voice. He arose softly and sprung the latch on the door lest she should come in on him. There was another door from his room that opened into the bookkeeper’s. Alex went in by that route and told him in a whisper that she was in the front room waiting for him. hs “Get her out in some way,” he ordered.” < af went to a closet in the bookkeeper’s room and took therefrom a small, wide-mouthed bottle, not unlike those used by. druggists for the sale of vaseline. He drew the cork and set the bottle down in a corner of the front room, dropping a newspaper carelessly over it. Ina very few minutes a subtle odor began to. fill the three ‘rooms. In comparison with it, a Chinese stink pot was first- elass cologne. The two windows in the bookkeeper’s room ‘were hastily thrown open, aud the clerks were heard gasping or breath. Barton leaned far out of his window and gasped: hath Heaven’s name, what is it?” Alex grasped his nose and groaned: Oh, Lord!” The woman sprang up and made a break for the outer door, staggering into the corridor gagging and gasping. Some of ‘the odor followed her through the door and gently ascended ‘the different flights of stairs to the top floor. r Alex saw her sail down the stairs to the street. Then he hurried back and clapped the cork into. that bottle—the little agazine of Almighty Scent! Then he quietly walked into the little private office and’ I must see ao has. gone, sir.” “Hh! Ough! Did she bring that odor with her?” Barton a ee what Iran her out with.” arton drew himself in from the window, glared at the boy , the eld bookkeeper, ran in and in great irate <7 THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. joined them. ahead and buy all you can before the boom begins. to get over there inside of a half hour. Mp aey toed Riood shoes waiting for the ote Then the old bookkeeper guffawed. He sank down on chair and laughed and wiped his eyes, held his sides and finally fell off on to the floor. The two dude clerks still leaned ~ far out the window, lest they should be overcome by the odor and perish ignominiously. No amount of hilarity could ine2 : duce them to draw their heads in as long as a faint scent of that odor remained. “Rap—rap—rap!” on the front door.” Alex hastened to open it. aS John Truman, an old broker with an office on ‘the floor above, was there. ; “What’s the trouble in here?” he asked. : “There’s something the matter with Mr. Babgock, sir,” Alex replied, “Come in, Truman!” called Barton from his inner office Truman went and remarked: : “There’s an awful bad smell about the building, Where does it -come from, I wonder.” ee A short, sharp snap of a laugh came from the old leone j and the next moment he was as solemn-looking as an owl. i “Say, what’s the matier with you and your man, Barton?” Truman demanded. Alex had gone in to iook at the old bob kkarier shut the door and told him what had happened, roared, and Barton joined him. Then the two clerks concluded it was “safe. to tak heads in. The open windows had relieved the oppressed mosphere, and they could” breathe freely again. Rooke desks, and when eg occasionally heard gaspin coming from the old bookkeeper they wondered if smell had affected his mentality. ; sie Truman went out just as the janitor of the building came d in, The latter was trying to trace the odor. He asked Alex = where it came from? me : “T wish I knew,” was the reply, “Pd gét as far’ ides fro it as ihe size of ins earth Denke Tot me,” % heard. Broker after eae caine in, and the story was. peated that added to the fame of ‘that boy of Barton’s, CHAPTER II. oe, ALEX'S ESCAPE AND “WHAT Rian Ml! Alex ‘Alston was talked of. ine streets.’ every office in Wall and Very few mentioned his name, ae oaks He “See here,” said Short, “I can’t go over just, now, The two brokers turned away and went out, “Tt’s another deal and a poor, e said Alex t
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THAT BOY OF BARTON’S, Ages SEEEEEEE TEETER ane ReaREEAE “that Mr. Barton is waitin ig for a Seapine to his note. old as he is can’t ‘afford to wait long, you know.” Jimmie chuckled and shook his head. “Won’t go, eh?” “8 “Nope. ” “Well, I will,” and he opened the door of the broker’s private _ Office and went in. Longman was at his desk writing. “Any answer for Mr. Barton, sir?” Alex asked. Longman looked up quickly on hearing a strange voice. “Yes, when I am ready to give it,” was the surly reply. ; “He told me to be quick about it, sir.” 5 “Get out!” ‘ Alex stood there gazing at him—just inside the door. Quick as a flash the irate broker, who had been squeezed in a deal by old Barton, snatched up a heavy glass paper weight and hurled it at him. Alex dodged it, and it landed on» the head of Jimmie in the outer room. Down went Jimmie, a thousand stars flashing before his eyes. % ‘ “Shall I run for a doctor, sir?” Alex asked, looking around at Jimmie lying on the floor, and then again at the enraged broker, who had risen hastily to his feet on seeing the result of his hasty action. : 4No! Run for your life!” hissed Longman, rushing at him. Alex slipped out into the corridor like a vanishing vapor, and the door closed behind him. - ; -Longman was alarmed at seeing his office boy lying so still on the floor. He opened an inner door and called to one of the ‘clerks, who promptly ran to him, “Take Jimmie into the back room, quick!” was the order. The clerk stooped and lifted up the unconscious boy, He saw the cut on his forehead made by the paper weight and “usked: — “Who did it, sir?” “That boy of Barton’s.” The clerk bore him into the rear room just in time - avoid being seen by two well-known brokers, who entered from the outer corridor. Alex hurried along the corridor to the head of the flight of stairs. that led down to the street. Just as he was about to “@escend, he saw an envelope lying on the floor. It was dirty, having been stepped on, apparently, by some people coming and going that day. He stooped, picked it up, and found it unaddressed, but filled with paper of some kind. He went on down the stairs, holding it in his hand. He had no time _to look at its contents, so he thrust it into his pocket, and hurried on to the office. Old Barton was in a bad humor when Alex returned. “He sent no reply, sir,” Alex reported. “What kept you so long there?” : Alex told him what had happened. ogee and the old man chuckled as he turned to his desk lope he had picked up on ce stairs of Longman & Short’s e at it out and opened the envelope by tearing off “A big wad ‘of greens or r m dreaming!” Then he pinched himself on the eget “Knocked his boy on the head, eh? Nice way ' get even | ‘asked: None ae A man as a, million dollars in it, and it would take me a sei time to count it, Wonder who dropped it? be offered for its return?” ; : Qld Barton went out just then, and Alex slipped into the | little private office and counted the Toney. He counted tt quickly—$1,000. ee He gave a low whistle and put the wad in his pocket. There was nothing to show to whom it belonged. ; He tore up the envelope and dropped the Bick tia into : the waste-basket. i “Tt will be in the papers,” he saad 6 himself, “and doe Tn : know who lost it.'! Hope a big reward will be offered for it. . 4 Half an hour later old Barton came back, wrote a note, and sent Alex over to the Stock Exchange with it. He went in through the door on the New street side, where all messen- Me gers were met by the doorkeeper. ie “For Mr. Greenbaum,” he said to the doorkeeper, holding a up his note, and thén stood by looking for his man. a “There he is—over there,” said the doorkeeper, pointing to - , a little group-of brokers in a corner, apart from the Bonin Es mob in the center of the room. Alex saw the rotund form of the son of Israel. over herd Z and hurried to deliver the note. Greenbaum looked it over, ~~ nodded to Alex and said: “Vait a-vile dill I see vot he says.” ; : Alex retired to the place assigned to waiting messengers, under the visitors’ gallery, and looked on. There was a good — deal of excitement going on at the time. Suddenly he saw one of the two brokers whom he met in the waiting-room at Longman & Short’s office less than an hour before, when he heard Broker Short tell him to “buy all he could before the boom began.” ow “By George! He’s buying all the B. & D. shares he can get!” said Alex, after listening and looking on for a few minutes, “and it’s going at 68. Wonder, if it’s going to boom? = It will if he keeps on buying.” Greenbaum came over to him and gave him a note for Barton, " He hurried out with { and in a couple of minutes more the old man had it. “Can J haye ten minutes off, sir?” Alex asked him. - Barton nodded affirmatively and he was off like a flash, Wonder how much will ’ Broad street he ran and flew up a flight of stairs into th office of a bank, the cashier of whom ‘he knew. wate, “Who does the margin act in this show?” he asked th cashier. aa} : The cashier smiled and said: ay “Mr. Wilson, at the fourth window, put he won't take of your sweet-smelling stuff, I can tell you.” “Well, if he doesn’t take what I offer him PN I smell something,” and he made his way to the 0) where he asked a mild-mannered, spectacled Mr. Wilson. “Yes,” was the reply. “Well, here’s $1,000—margin. Buy me $10, 000 B, & D, just as quick as you can,” and he laid the w si down in front of him, “What name?” a “A. Alston.” patel x
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ae THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. 7 He returned in nine minutes from the time ke left the office. | chased him out of Barton’s and caught me by mistake at the - The old broker was at his desk adding up a long column of| door there. He stood by and saw her grinding me up.” Bs figures, so Alex sat down to wait and think. The crowd yelled.and roared with laughter. It was too He was doing some very hard thinking when the front door} much for them. Barton had locked his door to keep the crowd _- opened and the big woman, whom he had forced to retreat sa |out. The corridor was jammed with brokers and clerks. ae _ignominiously a few days before, entered. He gave a start “Where is that boy?” any: and rose to his feet. He saw blood in her eye and made a| “Bring him out!” eried another. “He has more luck than dash for the outer door, hoping she would chase him. She} any mascot alive!” ihe did, and close at his heels. But just as she darted out into “IT want a lock of his hair for luck!” sung out another. the corridor she made a grab at him. She caught a dapper Alex was in the crowd, but he slipped out unperceived and little man of forty who was about Alex’s size. ; went over to the Stock Exchange, In a few minutes he heard “You vile little viper!” she hissed, in densely concentrated | B. & D. going at 69. eoae rage. “Play me dirty mean tricks, will you! Set the whole “Hello! Gone up one point!” he ejaculated. “I wonder | street to laughing at a respectable lady, will you! Take that, | how much that means to me? I’ll see,” and he took out a and that and that!” and she gave him slaps that sounded the | pencil and began some rapid figuring. : entire length of the corridor. “One hundred and forty-seven shares,” he said, when hes “Madam! “I—I—madam! You have made a—mistake! I—| got through figuring. “That’s one hundred and forty-seven J+help! Help!” for me. Well, I ain’t kicking one bit as long as It goes that nea 5 The dapper little man’s glasses flew off his nose. So did| way. Even if the loser of that envelope doesn’t pay a cent . his hat. Then his heels flew about promiscuously as she | of reward for the return of the money, I’ll have something onl as _ jerked him around and slammed him against the wall. It] of it, anyway!” was just a trifle dark at that end of the corridor, hence she He remained some twenty minutes longer, and saw the did not discover her mistake till a score of men ran up and/stock climb up half a point higher. Then he went out to re- _ rescued him from her vengeance. = / turn to Barton’s office. he - She was boiling mad. “Guess the coast is clear by this gen he said, chuckling. “The vile little imp!” she cried, as she tried to get at him | “They must think I was scared clear over into Jersey. | ‘Lord, again. “Play me a vile trick, will he? Stink me out of Wall} how she yanked him around! She’s no sweetheart of mine," street, will he? Well, let me have my hands on him once| He climbed up the stairs and made his way back to Barton's _ “more and he’ll smell ‘louder than that if they don’t bury | office. Men were coming and going along the corridor, ‘none’ a : “him!” of whom seemed to know him. He entered the office and =i Just at. that moment she got a good view of the face and | found Truman with the old broker, ; pease : bald head of the little man who had been torn from her “Here he is!” exclaimed Truman. pay clutches. s “Oh, my! Oh, my!” she screamed. “What have I done? He isn’t the one!” and she made a break to get away. She ‘eollided with three or four men, and sent them sprawling on the floor of the corridor. She dashed for the stairs, and went down to the street like an avalanche, In front of the office ‘stood a carriage which had brought Tan there. Almost leap- ing into it, she called to the driver: “Quick, quick! | Drive me home and don’t stop for any- body!” The driver whipped up his horses, and the carriage went up the street toward Broadway at a speed that threatened man and heast with broken limbs, if supe worse. in a eae tone of area: “Been hiding out, sir.” The brokers roared. , ; “Did you know she got hold of Clayton and Geet. kine? him?” Truman finally asked him. “Yes. I heard his bones rattle.” “Why didn’t you help him—let her know her mistak “Because I wasn’t built that way.” Again they roared... : BATA Baa Alex never smiled, but went on: ‘ “IT ran out to yin her out. She followed and, | grabbed him a CHAPTER It. : “THE MONEY 18 ALL RIGHT!” While the woman was shaking up the dapper little man in the corridor, thinking she had\Alex in her grasp, the latter |- stood farther away)looking on at the demolition of his sub- _ stitute, When the ery for help rang out every office in the _ building poured forth its quota of excited brokers and clerks. ; en she discovered her mistake, and fied precipitately along the corridor and down to. the street, sympathizing him and glad eg myself. 2 waste armed. That's scooted.” “Do you ever go armed?” Pearian asked. “Well, sometimes I carry a skunk’s bowie-knife.” Truman and Barton went into convulsions. laughed till they cried, and Alex Went, ont to his front room, sat down and quietly began specul: me probable extent of the boom of B, & D. shares, Other brokers came in and old Barton had t them. They laughed over the incident, and, discussion, ash of them bah to Maat ; “and ‘asked him what it was all about. : “The Lord alone knows,” he replied. “T never saw her be- pea don’t know who she is.” Slate's one remarked. E ¢ ’ “Let every man carry 2 bottie of aes ed another. he “what the deuce is it, anyway?” at 1 - They turned to Alex for an 2 a mn co {2} S = 2. a oO gh Sp @ a ° ee QS =] i" (2X © 0Q [= [= i=] ©. 2, ct = B 09. Bb _ 6: L.'4 2 Be ay Coe a aoe ee
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THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. ee ee / “From a Chinaman.” There was another roar of laughter. He offered to get it and give them a smell, but they one and all declined with thanks. When business ended for the day Alex overheard a broker say that B. & D. had gone to 70, and would go higher the next day. He went home in high spirits, and helped his mother in her household work in their little flat over on the east side. _ When his sister Irene came home at 7 o’clock from the store she was very much excited, tired as she was. She was two years older than Alex, tall and beautiful. “See here, mother,” she said, handing her mother an even- ing paper, her finger. pointing to an article in it, “just read that, please.” It was the story of Mrs. Grady’s mistake down in’ Wall street, wherein dapper little Notary Clayton was so roughly handled. It told about Alex’s terrible little wide-mouthed ‘bottle and its awful contents, Mrs. Alston’s risibles got the better of her, though she was shocked at the part Alex had played in it. She laughed till she cried, and Alex came in from the kitchen to find out what it was about. He owned ‘up and laughed with them. But Irene was somewhat angry over it, and told him he ought to be ashamed of himself for letting an innocent man get such a beating. “Why didn’t you run up to her and tell her of her mistake?” she exclaimed. 5 “Because I wasn’t feeling well,” he replied, | okie,” The next day that boy of Barton’s was in all the papers. _ Mrs. Grady hurriedly left the city to stay ‘until the incident A should be forgotten. But down in Wall street the messénger boys had a lively ___time with Alex whenever they got a chance at him. Hyvery one ’ asked for a “smell.” Some held their noges as. they passed him, and others asked for just a drop on their handkerchiefs. He stood it good-naturedly, and kept his eye on the record made by B. & D. in the Exchange. It was up to 74 by noon, and the brokers began to get excited. Barton sent him three times to the Exchange with notes to different brokers, and at each visit he found it one or two points higher. When - ‘business for the day closed it was standing at 77. - “Lord, what luck!” he exclaimed. “I'll get a start now and . Will soon have an office of my own. But not a living soul ‘shall know of this till I get enough ey, to hold my hand against these old sharks.” The next day the stock opened at 80, and the brokers went wild over it. They screamed and yelled like lunatics, and xi," the excitement helped to send it up sale By noon it was : at 86. +» “My fortune is made!” said Alex to himself, as he went a back over to the office. Barton and all the clerks had gone ‘out to lunch. He was there alone for the time. A young girl came in. a re “Ig Mr. Barton in?” she asked. sa “No. I think he is over at the xchange,” Aes eat “Has he a typewriter?” ape asked. «No, » . et ‘I am trying to find a place,” and she dropped into a chair with a sigh. _ He peas her a drink of water, for which she thanked Lee) 2 & “T’ll do it next ey a aytul hand luck,” she said, h a two weeks’ illness. ), and on Monday last she drew it out of the bank, put and gave it to me to hand to Mr, Dubois, the aS got there it was gone. I had ince.. Oh, it was awful, % “y lost my last place minutes had elapsed. busy,” the old broker said to her, ‘let you know,” and he passed into his office. My mother and I had $1,000 |. after which he asked what PRR PCY “Say,” and Alex wheeled around with an almost fierce energy, “was it in a plain envelope—nothing written on it?” “Yes—and nothing but the money in it,” she replied. “Well, I found it. The money is all right!” he blurted out. : She gave a scream and swooned, just as. Broker Barton en- tered the door. CHAPTER IV. a THE WIDOW AND HER DAUGHTER. Alex caught the girl to save her from a fall to the its and old Barton stood aghast at the scene of a peautiful young girl in a swoon in his’ office. “What's the matter with her, Alex?” the old man asked. apie “She’s fainted, sir.” “Well, what, made her faint?”’ “Yl tell you when she comes to, sir,” and Alex looked just a trifle tired at the an broker’s failure to help him out of his Ww predicament. But just at that moment Babeock, the old bookkeeper, who ~ had a wife and daughters, came in and saw what the trouble. was. He quickly ran into the clerks’ room and procured a : glass of water, with which he returned. Pouring some of the — water into his hand he sprinkled it in her face, She gave a start, gasped and began to struggle to free herself from Alex’s hold, He gently placed her in the chair again and said: eo) “You are all right now.” i She drew a long breath and looked at Alex, the old book- keeper, and then at the old broker, ee “What's the trouble, miss?” Barton asked her, after a few “She came in to see if you could give her work as a tyes writer,” said Alex. “She is very tired and suddenly fainted.’ “Well, I am sorry, but I ‘hayen’t work enough to keep one “If I should need one I’li Babeock went back with the glass to the clerks’ room. — Alex leaned over, whispering to the girl: , “Wait till I can get out and I'll try to get you the money. I put it in the bank.” ; She was glad to sit there a rene onsen, so she smiled and nodded her head. 5 He went into the private office and said to the old broker: “If you can spare me half an hour I think a ean get her ry place, sir.” . hate “Half an hour, eh? Well, go ahead sind) get ae as soon as you can.” | * “Thank you, sir.” : ; Alex re:urned to her and said: Urry ase oe, “Come on.” a She arose and went out with him. He went round to the bank on Broad street) | and had her take a seat while he interviewed the margin clerk, “What emt? the clerk asked. =o “A. Alston.” “ae aati! Y or “All right! The stock will be sold in a4 minutes. % “I want to give a check for one thousand | dolls the deal. Can Ido so?” — , “Yes, but it can ’t be settled till we now the salting 1 “You will know by to-morrow?” ; ree “Oh, yes!” ke vb wt! coe Biye. me a blank check. fe “Tessie mn she replied yer
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Vahet ew : “ DHAT BOW OF BARTON'S. ane hes He put her name on the check, making it payable to her , order. “Here’s the check for one thousand dollars,” he said to her, “It is safer to carry that than the money. Take it home to your mother, or give it to your broker and let him collect the money for you.” She looked at his name at the bottom of the check and said: “Oh, I’ll never forget that name as long as I live! I never “expected to see that money again.” “Had there been any address in the enyelope I would have hunted you up,” he replied. j & “You—will—er—please don’t feel hurt, but won’t you let me give you some of it forse “Not a penny—not a penny,” he said. “Just let us be - friends—let me come up and see you some time.” “Oh, my, yes! Here’s my home address,” and she wrote on _ @ card her street and number. “I am going right straight home now to make mother’s Meart glad.” “That's right. DP must hurry back to the office. You know how we boys have to hustle up to three o’clock.” “Yes—yes, I’ll come down again to-morrow. [I’ve got to _. find a place somewhere, for I can’t remain idle.” ; bad (3 8 inquire for you in every office I am sent to,” he re- marked. - “Thank you. I am sure I appreciate your kindness.” ‘By that time they were down on the street again. When they reached the Stock Exchange he asked her if she had ever been in theré when the brokers were crazy?” “Yes,” she laughed, “and I thought it strange to see so many crazy people in one lot.” “Well, I’ve got to go in there now. My time is not my own, you know.” ‘ “Don’t let me detain you, then: to tell mother the good news.” “9 “Have you got carfare?” Alex asked. “*Oh, yes, thank you.” ; He bowed, and she hurried off up toward Broadway. Alex gazed after her, and muttered: : “The prettiest girl I eyer met. She little dreams of how ‘she staked me with a thousand dollars. I'll see if I can find out what B. & D. is going for.” He found out in just one minute that it was going at 92. - “Lord, but I hope I got that!” he exclaimed, as he heard the bids. . ‘Hyrrying out, he hastened back to the office. Barton had an errand for him—to take a note to the Exchange, ack there again inside of five minutes, B. & D. had jumped 4 T am going straight home hank you, ee nd he hurried out and returned to the office, ttering to. himself as he went: ‘hat’s $24 on each opts Lord, but it’s a Scoop! I'll figure Te I d nothing more to do for half : an hour, ie) he sat down : ed up the amount he had made. ou the deal. j 3, 500. fa " he said ae to himself. brits but I ought ‘Messenger and thank him for returning to my daugh He was | | -} her, “you are a lucky Works, rae I can tell you, That wag ought to be killet righ OL dsi7t- 2 out: body else had found it oes wouldnt haye ever rrgotteae of it again.” 3ara3 The next morning Mrs. Graig and her daughter were J first ones at the cashier’s window in the bank. The wi low presented the check and asked: : “Is that good for the money?” The cashier looked at it for a moment or ee and replie “Wait a moment, please,” and went to the margin clerk information. ‘ “Yes,” said the clerk, “He has $4,538 to his erat, wit only the commission standing against it.” , ’ : The cashier returned and said to the widow: “The check is all right, madam. Do you want the money? “T want tq deposit it with my banker.” _ “Then I'll certify it for you, and you can take the ‘check there,” and he did so. ' cs “Now come on, dear,” said Mrs, Craig to her daughte “I want to see that honest boy and tell him what I think ace him.” They hurried out of the bank down to the street, aces their way down Wall street to the office of old Broker Barton,, Tessie led the way into the dingy office. Alex was out 0 errand, but she went to the door of the old” broker’s 7 office and rapped on it. ; , “Come in!” the old man said, | SRY Sethe ha She pushed open the door and walked in, ‘Her mothe close behind her. The old proker, always polite, rose feet with a puzzled expression on his wrinkled face, “What can I do for you, ladies?” he asked. “I—I was in here yesterday, sir,” said Tessie, Jooking up at him. . wart He gave her a quick, sharp glance and reco; “Ah! Yes—so you were, I remember yo ladies,” and he placed chairs for them. z : “Thank you, sit,” said the widow, “We called to sec your which she had lost in an envelope some days. ago.” ed “Eh? What? Found a thousand dollars and veturn exclaimed the astonished old broker. envelope to show to whom it belonged, he laced bank in his own mame, y aie had that hay: er ly two years, and thought I knew him. c a ong ae Tessie and her mother aed 53s he is, mother!”
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— eq aan I'd just hold out my hat and let you fill it; But you Ga a woman and she said it was all you had in the world. I’m no hog—not even a pig.” -- They all laughed, and the widow said: “You will believe me, won’t you, when I tell you how grate- ful I am for——” e “Oh, yes, of course. though, if you will.” ; . “Tell me what it is.” “Just keep the other fellows away from your daughter for \ three or four years till I’m old enough to look after her and ' keep her from losing any more money.” Tessie blushed, her mother laughed, and old Barton guffaw- ed. A few minutes later the visitors left the office. CHAPTER V. “AN HONEST LAD, SIs!” As soon as the mother and daughter were gone ‘the old broker looked steadily at Alex for about two minutes, saying nothing. The latter returned his gaze unflinchingly, waiting to be spoken to before saying anything himself. : “How came you to do?” the old man finally asked him. “I am not a thief,” he replied. ° ; “You didn’t steal it.” “No, but it wasn’t mine, and go I gaye it up to her.” s “Why didn’t you take the $100 she offered you?” “Because she is a widow, and that was all the money she : had. “3 : . The old man faecal to his desk and remained still and silent for many minutes. Alex returned to his seat.and began veading a paper. Barton called the old. bookkeeper in and _ told him the story of the finding of the $1,000. The old man ‘was astonished, but said: ms”: “The boy always impressed me as an honest lad, sir.” one “He must be—he must be,” mused the old broker, “or élse a - blamed fool of some sort. Wall street will ruin him, though. ‘It’s a bad place for him, Babcock.” peut, Yes, yes, very likely.” , “I don’t think that, sir. _.@ snare or leap a pit.” _. Babcock returned to his desk and the office work went on in its usual routine. Before busines’ for the day closed he - had told the story to the two clerks. They both voted him. “an idiot.” - “Maybe he is, but I don’ * think so,” remarked Babcock, “He had the.money in bank apteee days and never touched a dollar of it?”-one asked, “Vos, » “And never said a word to anybody about ees “No, it seems not.” /-*That. shows he intended fo keep it. caused him to. forget. himself. I bet he is kicking himself ; right now.” “But she tried to make him accept $100 of it, and he would not take a. cent, * remarked the old bookkeeper, : “Then he is an idiot—out and out.” “But we know that he isn’t,” and the old. man laughed. e is just simply honest, that’s all.” c ny “Bah!” ra ‘ ‘They didn’t ‘Delieve in honesty. They had been down in Wall street a long tithe, and had seen many phases of human ‘in the light of financial maneuvers, They had grown elief that the sin of dishonesty Y fang in the punish- { n in the commission of it.” , ent in f°) the. clerks’ “room for a ‘rink of AEs He has sense enough to avoid THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. I'll tell you what you can do for me, |. ‘That girl’s crying | “They say you found a tousand doltars and mr em u “Simply trying to find out what ails you,” was the reply. “There’s nothing the matter with me,” and ‘Alex laughed. “What have you been drinking?” Old Babcock and the other clerk laughed. é “I've drank nothing but water to-day,” replied the officious clerk. “Just born so then, eh?” ‘ 2 ¥ Babcock chuckled, ; ie “Yes, born with sense enough to keep any money I pick up in the street,” was the reply. ~ “Or anywhere else, I guess,” returned Alex, are built that way. 2] The clerk turned red in the tees and his eyes ‘flashed, ; “For two cents I’d kick you through the ceiling!” he hissed. “Some people a Alex looked -up at the ceiling, as if measuring the height, e and then'drew two cents from his pocket, laid them on the desk near him and remarked: iw “ll give two cents to scare those fellows upstairs. wacie me through the ceiling, please.” The clerk was in a towering rage, but he dared not Kick, ea, He feared the consequences to himself. Wiaths Babcock chuckled, and the other clerk whispered: “Let him have it, Maurice!” But Maurice didn’t let him have it. Mr, Buran entered the room, and the clerk returned to his desk. Alex took up his aa two cents, smiled and went out. When he got a chance he ran over to the bank to see how much money he had to his credit. He saw Blaisdell, the broker, who represented the bank on the floor of the Stock — Exchange. The cashier told him who Alex was. /. “Yes, I saw him yesterday,” the broker feplied. “You ac- count it with the margin clerk. He'll give you the figures if _ you apply to him.” so “Can't I leave my money here on deposit?” Alex asked OL! Ue the cashier. be “Yes, I suppose so—if the amount 18 not too small,” sas the reply. : “T hope to make it larger some day. something over $3,000, I guess.” “Well, see the margin clerk.” is He saw the margin clerk and. had a settlement with him. He had some $3,300 after the transaction was closed, and some taken out for his own use. That he left on deposit and went away feeling like a giant. “Some day I’ll divide that with Tessie Craig,” he gait to himself, as he went back to his post. oat won’t do to tell her about it now, for I——” oe tae “There goes that boy of Barton's,” said. a broker, 8 a8 he é passed him.+ “He found a thousand dollars and——” — is He passed out of hearing and 80 lost the aentaned,-” : I can start in with — went on. “Hello, Alex!” greeted Broker Truman’ 3 messenger, up against him. “Hello, Jimmie!” he returned. it right?” “Guess it is.” “What did you git?” “Tt belonged to a widow vgs a pretty daughter, gave me a “smile.” Weir : 2 house! 7. ina tsa “That may be, bat rl 20 te: ‘Heaven oa ald
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be up the stairs. about it.” : A startled exclamation caused him to look up to the top of the flight, He saw an. elderly man, very stout, stumbling down the stairs, vainly trying to save himself. Quick as‘a flash he turned round and planted his feet against the balus- ters as,a brace, holding on with both hands for support. The heavy load struck him, but he held fast. A half dozen men ‘instantly ran to his’ assistance, and helped the man to his feet. Then he was led into Upham’s office, just at the top of the flight, where he sat down and said: “Lord, but it was a narrow escape! I am bruised, but no- bones are broken. Somebody braced himself and stopped me.” : “It was that boy of Barton’s,” someone said. “He was com- ing up, and when he saw you going down, he wheeled and made a snag of himself for you to lodge against.” “Yes, yes; I saw him do that. He saved me a limb or two, _ if not my life. When a heavy man like me falls downstairs it’s no fun. I'll see that boy about it. He’s a brave, quick _ jad. Will somebody call a carriage for me?” One of the clerks in Upham’s office was sent down for a earriage. When it came Mr. Camak was assisted down to it by two well-known brokers. He was a very rich old broker who was a heavy stockholder in several banks and railroad companies. _ In the meantime Alex had hurried into Barton’s office to deliver a note he had brought back. He said nothing of the accident on the stairs, and it was not till the next day that it ' was known in the office. “Vil bet he hasn’t sense enough to take any present old _ Camak makes to him,” said Maurice Glick, the second clerk, Dy when he heard it. “But look at the luck of that boy! I never ' saw anything like it! See how He eseaped the clutches of Mrs. Grady and let poor Clayton fall heir to her wrath. If I had his luck I'd never be a clerk.” “Guess Mr. Barton must have told Mr. Truman CHAPTER VI. i ALEX TARTS A TYPEWRITING OFFICE. A few days after the accident on the stairs Alex was going laowe: to the street, and when re down to the door, he met Tessie Craig coming up. Oh, I was going up to see you,” she said to him. _ ST am gént on an errand,” he replied. “Can you come along with me? I promise to go slow, even if I get a scolding for it.” “Haye you heard of any place for me yet?” she asked him. ; «No. I have inquired of several brokers. Come on and I'll ell you what a broker in Broad street suggested to me about rou.” a } She turned and went with him, and as they walked round to Broad street he said: aE broker said, that while he could give a good deal, of j work: Le a typewriter, he could not keep one fii He ies Vetahes it without its costing you a pane. V5 “You can? How?” and she opened wide her: eyes: “By hiring an office myself:” a Can you do that?” THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. “Then I'll hire you at ten dollars a week and will have an Office ready in three days. I'll drum up the work for you. I'll bet there’s money in it.” asian “Why, have you got money enough to do that?” — pF “T have a few hundred dollars in the bank; but I want you — to run the business in your own name, Brokers would give — work to a pretty girl like you, when they wouldn’t to an ugly kid like me. What do you say?” i “T hardly know what to say.” : “Say yes, and say nothing to anybody about it. There é are two nice little rooms right alongside of Mr. Barton’s that are to rent. If you'say so I'll give you the money with which to rent and ¢urnish it.” “But a young girl like me can’t stay there by herself and——” ics “My sister, who is two years older than I am, is anxious: i to learn typewriting. She is now a salesgirl on $7 a week. — : You can pay her that much while she is learning. Don’t worry — about the meney. I’ve got enough to carry you through, er a you must not let her know I have a cent in ba Tessie was persuaded, and when she accepted are offer he gave her a check for $500, telling her to deposit it with her mother’s banker. © When they returned to Barton’s office he hianod up the : janitor of the building, and told him a young lady wanted. the two rooms next door for a typewriting office. iba ppey They were immediately taken, a month’s rent was paid, she hurried off to buy the necessary Sia iach and furniture : for them. * 4 typewriting machines were there. On the Soot was Py see gold-lettered sign: J (aie “MISS TESSIE CRAIG, mere “Typewriting. ” } “Bully!” exclaimed Alex, when he looked in. “You’ve got a head for business.” | ae She laughed and said: “I'am frightened at being here all alone, though, "Bring your sister down to-morrow.” i “I’ve told her I had engaged a place for her where ‘she would be paid seven. dollars a week while seen i She'll come down With me in the morning,” ; “Hello!” exclaimed old Barton, coming by at that momen “Opening an office, eh? Well, I’m glad of that, Got some work for you right now. But see here, this boy’ of mine is not to be permitted to loaf in here. If he does Vil sinc i, him, sure.” She laughed and said: “T don’t think Alex has any of the loafer. in him: ; ve ‘ent gaged him to drum for work for me in every. a to whieh you send him.” “You have, eh? well, now, I call that cheek!” and Ne looked at Alex and then at ee “Yow ll pee pay part To) his salary, you imow. ’ “Indeed I won’t. from you if you are going to be mean wont it? “How is that, Alex?” the ‘old’ man asked. | © “It's all right, sir. If I neglect your business fire ie out I’ve eek promised. to speak for her wher va you 8 “And I suppose when I want you Tll fin * “Then Sigii: have. an excuse to come in
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THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. 9 The next morning Irene Alston came down with Alex, and| joined Irene and Tessie in the store, was introduced to Tessie. Both girls were beautiful, and created something of a sensation among the brokers and clerks in the building. Irene went to work taking lessons. The brokers in the building brought in a big lot of work. They wanted to get ac- - quainted with the two girls and work was an excuse. “T shall have to get two.more typewriters at once,” Tessie ‘said to Alex, after business closed for the day. “Get ‘em and buy the machines,” he replied. if Irene was delighted at the change of scene and occupation. - In the store she had to stand on her feet all day. Now she could sit, and when not busy, talk and move about. The next morning two more machines were bought, and two other girls went to work, Work poured in and the girls kept busy. Tessie allowed no work to go out that was in any way defective. At the end of the week the receipts paid all ' expenses except rent. “That is good,” said Alex. “I’ll bet you can pay next . month’s rent out of the: business.” “T am beginning to think so myself,” she replied. “have to have two more machines on Monday.” “Get them, and tell me how much money you want.” On Monday there were six girls at work. Irene was learn- . ing fast, and Tessie kept her busy on the machine. Tuesday Tessie said to Alex: Y “T did some work to-day that made me feel nervous. Mr. - Truman sent down two letters to be typewritten. One was to a broker who was up at Bar Harbor. That man once insulted me so grossly that a sight of his name on paper annoyed me. I studied hard to find some way by which I could change the wording of the letter so as to make him lose ee it, but I could not. The letter said: “T will in for $250,000?” _ “Keating—Keating!” said Alex. “I know him, He is a - Member of the Stock Exchange.” } sp au OS. T think they are going Aa get up a corner in some- thing.” “Very likely. Truman was in a big corner ina winter and _ scooped thousands out of it. Mr. Barton was in it, too. - Shouldn’t wonder if he was in this one, They are all afraid Sp of him, though.” _ Half an hour later Alex was escorting Irene And Tessie up Broadway on their way home. They were chatting at © lively ‘rate when a half drunken man ran into them and nearly upset ‘both of them. Quick as a flash Alex upset him, causing him to fall heavily to the pavement, “Good! Good!” cried a half dozen spectators. é‘ him right!” ; ~The man staggered to his. feet and drew a revolver. The crowd scattered and he began firing at Alex. The girls scream- a “Served ed twice at iin, Scores of spectators held their breath y looked on, expecting every moment to see him fall }. nstead of that he sprang forward and ran full against | he collision sending the drunken brute rolling in the Then he snatched the weapon from his hand and “Keating begins buying to-morrow. Shall we count you ‘}of describing his emotions, as ihe woman gave him a resound- For a moment or two Alex yess 3 | with me, though it would have made the bank eis ca oh nd d him over the head with it till he lay sien as a dead “The two girls were badly frightened. He laughed and said: : “Come on; let’s get away from here,” and they hurried out and made their way up the. street. “T was afraid you would be killed,” Irene said to him. “A drunken man can’t hit a house,” he remarked. “I was more afraid he would hit somebody elise.” “Why ssiee you run into the store with us?” Tessie asked him. : “Tam not in the habit of running from anybody. he has a sore héad.” “TI heard someone say you had killed him.” _ “Yes, but I know well that I did not. I cracked him on the head two or three times to knock him out.” They reached home safely, and Irene told her. mother of; the shooting on Broadway, She was greatly frightened, but Alex laughed her fears away. The next morning Irene had to go early to the office, as did the other girls, on account of the amount of work on hand. Alex went with her, and so was there nearly two hours before Barton’s office opened. That gaye him a chance to talk with . Tessie. Irene little dreamed that he really owned the busi- ness, and was paying Tessie ten dollars a week to manage ~ it. She thought she employed him t do tines for her which she could not well do herself. As soon as the Exchange opened Alex was there to watch Broker Keating. In less than ten minutes he heard him bid- ding for 0, & P. stock, which was then quoted at 62. is “Oh, that’s it, eh?” he said. “I heard Mr. Barton say the other day it was a good stock to buy. I’ll see Mr. Blaisdell at a once,” and he hurried round to the bank. oa “Buy me O. & P. $20,000 worth, ten per cent margin. ‘Here’ 8 the check for margin,” and he hastily wrote and alunos a. eheck for that amount. Then he hurried out to return to Barton’s office. At ‘the door he was caught by the arm by a woman with a thick veil over her face, who said: “You are Barton’s boy, eh?” “Yes’m,” he replied. “Well, I won’t make any mistake this time—so take that!” I guess Ye omg CHAPTER VII. SNAKES. To say that Alex was surprised would be a very mild way ing slap on the side of his head and face. He was dumfounded. He knew who she was, and that she had him in-her grasp. | She was a strong, determined woman, and he was in for ‘ lively time if he could not get away from her. eta Suddenly he thrust his hand into his coat pocket, saying: “I carry my perfumery with me, [ll soak you. with ‘it for——” “Oh, my!” she sereamed, releasing him and making a br through the length of the corridor. Quick as a flash he went bounding down the stairs he street. “Got out of that with only one slap,” the side of his face, feicz! that was a good ¢ one. Lord, way back to the office, “Sorry I didn’t peat the ples ment for an hour. or two. Ry ae Truman’s biestehges Jimmie, s about it.
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1 THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. “T am ready for her next time,” Alex replied. “If you see her send her along and you’ll see some fun.” “Got a new sweet-smelling stuff?” Jimmie asked. “Never mind what it is. Just keep mum and send her along,” and as he spoke Alex laid a hand on Jimmie’s shoulder. Jimmie felt something cold touch his face. His hand caught a squirming black snake about eighteen inches long, with open mouth and glaring eyes. His yell was heard from the sub-cellar clear up to the roof. ' He bounded away toward the other end of the corridor, - sereeching and yelling, while Alex quietly rolled up the gela- tine serpent and returned it to his pocket. . Byery broker and clerk in the building ran out into the corridors on each floor to inquire what the trouble was. “Snakes! ” cried Jimmie, “Snakes! Oh, Lord! And it is on me, too!” é ‘Alex returned to the office and sat down. “What’s the matter out there?” old Barton asked. “Mr. Truman’s Jimmie says he saw a snake in the corridor - out there.” : “Snakes! - Is he on a spree?” _“He must.be, sir.” “And so young, too! This is a fast age, truly.” A few minutes later Barton’s two clerks came back inside, cl tnding ran out at the first alarm. “What is it?” Babcock asked. : _ “Truman's boy is off his mut. He sees snakes,” said Maurice Glick, the dude clerk who had pronounced Alex a fool. “Sees snakes! What do you mean?”, “Says a snake jumped on him out there in the corridor,” _ explained Maurice, as he resumed his work at his desk. : “Must have the sen a Ny after him,” the old bookkeeper re- _ marked. 4 “No; he said it’ was a snake,” corrected the clerk. _ Babcock’s eyes snapped ag he looked at Glick, but bene Said nothing. Tn the meantime Mr. Barton went out. Alex strolled into the bookkeeper’s department, got a drink of water and returned, passed Glick’s desk and dropped the squirming gelatine ser pent “tight down in front of him. He had twisted it up in such a ‘Way that it did a tremendous amount of squirming to straighten itself out. Glick gave a yell of ‘terror’ and went over backward off his stool. ‘The squirming snake fell on him, and the yells and screeches that followed were ee only by his acrobatic feats. ~ Babeock and the other clerk arate up in amazement, won- : dering what ailed him. Alex snatched up the toy and crammed it into his ‘pocket unperceiyed by either of the clerks. But the old bookkeeper dropped on to him in a flash. He also - dropped back. into his chair and roared. Oh, he laughed till tears rolled down his cheeks—but he didn’t say a word about ‘his discovery. © “Alex knew why he laughed, but did not show it / “Glick got up on his feet, seized a chair and cried out: er it! Kill it!” _ “Kill what? What's, the matter with you?” Alex asked: af N a snake—it Spreng up on my desk there, bes aes and a took of surpr ise and fear in n his face that old ‘Babcock ¢ tainly ; oared again. - .}once, and then went out and filled right up to his chi over at the Stock pachonss and told him about it £ of Wall street.: for his fun.” keeper’s room, OE AMEN A down alow his waistband. — paper—a full account of itié joke and never hope to live long enaues. to hi But Glick, was not. to be fooled. He saw a snake, and went i “Why, you, you idiot,” enh the old man, and “ie explo again, But he did not explain the cause ee his hilarity. . ; Glick became so neryous he had to go out for a dank Pst met a friend and took two drinks, after which he met anoth friend to whom he explained about the snake up in Barton's office. That meant two more drinks. Thus armed again: snake bites, he hurried back to the’ office. In about twenty minutes the whisky began to get in its work. He tried. sing, but made a failure of it, to the great amusement of cock and the other clerk. Then he got up and executed a dance in tie center of: t room, giving a whoop with each half dozen steps. “Bring on (hic) yer snakes!” he sung out.. “This is (ate my day to kill ’em!” Again the old bookkeeper roared. Trumad eae broker upstairs—and, not finding Barton in, went in what ailed Glick. ; “Drunk, eh?” he remarked to Babcock. “ cA “Ags a piled owl, sir. Never knew him to do sO befo “Ts his mother-in-law dead?” the broker. asked. — “Hasn’t got one,” said Alex. “He just saw Jimmie’ snal Truman laughed and caught Alex by the ear, saying “See here! Where is that snake? I want to see him, with him or off goes your ear!” x Alex made a wry face, and promptly produced h serpent. Truman took it, examined it, and showe The clerk glared at it with wide-open eyes and asked: “Who (hic) killed it?” “Alex here,” replied the broker. Me : “Gimme your (hic) hand, my boy. Tried (ate) to arent enthusiasm. Truman shook with laught out to tell the other brokers abofit the joke that ton’ s had played on one of the clerks in the office. | sobered up. Babcock had, to send him home for the: the day, lest Barton should come in ae find. bi in that — hilarious condition. : Of course Barton heard of it. One of the brokers met hi ] marked. “| can’t afford to keep him: ie the rats am) a If Barnum takes him you. wilt are 0. “Where is Glick?” he asked. — Mes Want “Sick and gone home, sir.” Sn yo “Seen that snake, SB”: : \ CHAPTER vi, ALEX AND THE CLERK. The next Pat when — oe came
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THAT BOY OF BARTON'S, a door was open and he dashed in on him, aiming a furious blow at his face with his fist. “Hello! Hello!” exclaimed Alex, on finding himself thus} attacked. “What’s the matter? Got ’em again?” “Yes, I’ve got °em—and got you, too!” hissed Maurice, giving “plow after blow that was parried. Alex backed away from _ him, parrying his blows, till they were out of the girl’s office and in the corridor. “Shut that door, Irene!” he called to his sister, “before a crowd gets in!” 3 Tessie promptly shut the door, and then Alex began to spar with him. He landed a blow on his nose that caused the blood to flow. Frantic with rage, Glick dashed at him to ¢linch with him. Alex kept him at arm’s length, sie he was handy with his fists. “Here, here! What’s this!” cried the burly janitor, coming through, the corridor. _“He’s crazy,” said Alex. “Send for the police.” ‘The janitor caught Glick round the waist and held him with i the grip of a bear. - “Be easy now, young man,” he gaid to him. or I'll turn you over to the police. _ ruction.” “Oh, I'll kill him! I’ grind him to dust!” sai Maurice, in his rage. ““Let me get at him, the imp of i “Oh, come now! I'll take you to the station myself,” and ' the burly ‘janitor started toward the head of the stairs with him. That cooled his wrath at once. He promised to wait till some other time, and in some other place, to wreak his vengeance on that boy of Barton’s. 8 “Well, go “long and behave yourself now, ” said the Snajton, ‘releasing his hold on him, : Instead of going into the Office, Maurice hastened back home 7 to change his shirt.) Gore from his damaged proboscis had “Madly stained the immaculate bosom of the one he had on. ‘Then he sat down and wrote a note to Babcock, Barton’s old bookkeeper, stating that he was really too ill to report for duty at the office that day. When Alex heard that he would not be at his desk that day she felt, worried. “Mr. Barton may hear of it and give mea blowing up,” he said to himself. “I’d better tell Mr. Babcock about it and ‘see what he says,” and he went to the old man and told him about the battle in the corridor. The old man laughed till he eried. But the was. Alex’s friend and, told him he’d make it E righ right with Barton. The old broker was late that day, and Alex had time to © some figuring on his investment in O. & P. shares. - “It bought 322 shares at 62—with 36 dollars left over,” he said to himself ais he looked at the figures. a like the other did that office in there will pay for itself for one year—and more, too. Miss Tessie didn’t dream she was giving me a tip when she told me about that letter. Muess T won't let her know about it just yet. Lord, but she ‘is just. a hummer as a typewriter. She keeps those girls busy a ‘makes. 7em earn their money. If I make a fortune and Irene that I paid her seven dollars a week, she'll do snorting, ” and he chuckled as he thought of the game he playing. “JT wanted to get her out of that store, though, e was anxious to get out anit to pied a walisabeeesi Guess “Keep quiet This ain’t no place for a } rls, and I guess she has, ‘Tessie attends to business, though, and when the usiness sels big enough ‘to run itself—rent- and all—T ask ; eC ren as. a’ Satie! aie | “Tf the stock goes, She is socisigpiene and so | “Here, take this over to the. Stock Exchange and give it to Keating,” he said, handing the note to Alex. He wwas off like a flash. Keating was in the Exchange, sipeotaliea by a group of brokers. He was bidding for O. & P. shares, and the others were supplying him. He had bought several thousand shares, and kept on taking them ag fast as they came. When Alex handed Barton’s note to him he was bidding 66 for the stock. He ceased for a few moments to read the note. “Tell him all right,” he said to Alex, and then went on., During the few minutes Alex was there the stock Fe sk up two points—to 68. “Whew! I’m in for it this time,” he said to himself, as he made his way out. “I don’t care if it goes up to 80 or 90, or up to the top.. Lord, what lick!” “Hello, Alex!” It was Jimmie, the messenger for Truman. He planted a blow in Alex’s face quick as a flash, saying: “There’s a snake for you!” It staggered him. ‘ But he recovered quickly. Jimmie darted away through a crowd and made his escape. “Lord, but. he has given me a black eye!” Alex groaned. “T could stand anything but that. Ill never hear the last of it. Ill give Jimmie something worse than a snake the next . time I meet him, and it won’t be any joke, either.” He returned to the office and delivered the verbal message of Keating to the old broker. Sep, Before closing time his left eye began to assume ae somber | decoration that follows a blow. He went into the typewriters’ office to deliver work from Barton, and was greeted with: “Oh, my, what’s the matter with your eye, Alex?” from Tessie. 2 “Fellow hit me,” he replied. i “The one who attacked you yesterday?” “No, Jimmie, upstairs.” She laughed, and he said: “Wait till I get a chance at him.” He hurried back into the office, for he didn’t care. to be on exhibition for the pretty typewriters. Just as | he entered the office Broker Dubois came out. A moment or two later vega aes exclaimed: “Quick, Alex! here a moment!” Alex sprang ‘out of the office like a catapult, oA dashed for the head of the stairs. He saw Dubois going down the steps to the sidewalk, and plunged down the flight in pursuit Be, of him, In dodging ove man he collided with another, a burly broker named Glenn. 2 “There you ate—take that! ” exclaimed the ‘broker, giving him a punch inthe face that sent him tumbling to the bottom eps: of the flight utterly unconscious. Ss “Shame, shame! ” cried a half dozen men, who witnessed ' the brutal act. ‘ : Glenn went on up the stairs, in no wise concerned” about. what he had done, He was a rich man, a member of & half o dozen athletic clubs, and very much given to using his ane with brutal force under slight provocation. — 5 ‘ Alex was taken up and borne back to Barton’s office % tw / brokers who knew him. They told Barton what had happened, fi and the old man was furious. PMs “Ll give him a taste of the law. for this!” he ‘Pisa at those who heard him knew what a good hater | Alex came to. ‘ina’ few minutes, but was i in Run after Dubois and tell him to come adie 25
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12 { THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. “T dodged one man and ran against him,” Alex explained, as soon as he could pull himself together. “He gave me a blow in the face that knocked me silly. Who was he?” “Broker Glenn, of the McLeod Building,” replied one of the brokers. “Well, just wait and see what happens to Mr. Glenn some day. ” “Tf you don’t push the law on him I’ll discharge you,’ old Barton. “All right, but I’ve got a law of my own that goes way ahead of the court-house article.” “Good! Good!” laughed the others. _. “Come with me now and make a complaint against him,” Said the old man, whose indignation was almost beyond con- trol. But just then a pone came in on business, and the matter had to be deferred until after business hours; by that time Alex’s face was badly swollen and discolored. As soon as ’ said business was over for the day Barton ordered a carriage, and | both he and Alex drove to the Tombs to make a complaint against the brutal broker, Half an hour later an officer, armed with a Warrant, was going uptown to arrest Glenn. ; CHAPTER IX. “DECORATED BY JOE GLENN”—A TERRIBLE VENGEANCE. Broker Glenn easily gave bail for his appearance at court the next day, hence was not locked up. He was on hand with his lawyer. Barton’s lawyer was there to prosecute, but the old man himself was not present, There were many brokers present, drawn by curiosity, as Glenn was a great clubman and had many friends. - Alex told his story in a straightforward way. His Sa eles and discolored face eloquently corroborated him. “Your honor,” he added, when he had finished. “He ig the - biggest coward in New York and has the strength of an ox. He is a‘great bully, but I never heard of his running up against a man of his own size.” Glenn winced and his lawyer objected to such remarks by the complainant, The judge sustained the objection, as the ‘remarks were out of place on the witness stand. Glenn then told his’ story—that the boy dived at him, with ‘the evident intention of sending him tumbling backward down the flight, and that he saved himself by the blow he gave ‘him, ‘adding that he was not aware that he had struck so hard—did not mean. to do more than save ae aniel from .a fall. Then, witnesses swore that Glenn was vicious in his blow— that he uttered an exclamation that betrayed a Regents in- tent when he gave the blow. “It was a cowardly blow,” said the judge, very curtly. “fine the prisoner fifty dollars for disorderly conduct.” perl paid the fine and left the court, Money was nothing to - him. He had plenty of it. __. Of course old Barton was angry at the light punishment dealt out to the bully. But he knew that a fing was all that _ Could be imposed unless the case went up to a higher court. “Just let me fix him,” Alex said; “I'll make him sick yet.” “How?” the old man asked. “You don’t want to get arrested yourself, you know.” bd Look at this. I am going to wear tt aeieiiee I go about “i 4 Wall street till my eyes look all right again,” and he pro- J - duced a. piece of pasteboard about ten inches square, on which Was 5 painted si inch letters: & SH a note and gave it to him. Alex hung the card over his neck, like a blind man’s announcement of his ‘blindness, and hurried Ae over to the Exchange. v The brokers over there were a howling mob over the pe i rise in O. & P. shares, which had gone up to 75, and was still — ; climbing up. In his eagerness to find out about the stock Alex forgot all about the card hanging against his breast Broker Truman espied it and yelled. i, Then others looked at it and yelled. In a few moments the _ brokers ceased bidding for stocks and crowded about Barton’s © boy. They read the sign and laughed. Broker Upham re- — marked that Glenn deserved it, but that it was a punishment — that. equaled Cain’s for the murder of Abel. ae: Glenn was there. He heard what it was and went over to. see it. , “Take that card off or I’ll kill you!” he hissed, making a grab at it. Alex jumped back and sung out: “You're coward enough to do it, but IT won’t take it off!” Glenn dashed at him. Alex was too quick for him. He dashed out through the messenger entrance into New street. Glenn rushed after him. Out in the street Alex wheeled and — dashed some kind of fluid into his face and over his clothes. — He fell to the ground gasping for breath. Men and boys clapped their hands to their noses, and it as from a deadly pestilence. ; Alex had given him a bath of that terrible Chinese odor. He threw away the little wide-mouthed bottle and fled: gb bn the rest of them, ‘ Office doors and windows were heard slamming on all sides i: to shut out the terrible odor, The ag: of the Stock Exchang: were tightly shut. % As for Glenn, he rose to his feet a sick man—deathly sic at the stomach.. He gave up his breakfast and dinner righ there in the street. Some said he also gave up the three meal of the day before. He staggered away. Everybody fled from him as from a leper. He tried to get a carriage to take him home, but the cabbies fled in dismay. A policeman tried to arrest him as a nuisance and gave it up. He ran, gagging an gasping for breath, : In the Stock Exchange the brokers were rolling on the floo: in conyulsive laughter. They:screamed and guffawed till the 7 clock struck three and business for the day was ended, Then they made their escape by way of Broad street and disperse to their offices to laugh and roar all the more over the bese of the gilded bully. ~ — He finally made his way down to the riven and jumped. is , the water, holding to a rope till clothing could be brought him. Then, wrapped in a blanket, he was led into.a saloor where, in a little rear room, he made the change that rendere’ life worth living once more. He filled himself full of whis and went home in a carriage. In the meantime a policeman opened the hydrant and float ed the gutter where Alex had thrown the bottle, and earboli fe acid was poured copiously over the ‘Spot where Glenn haan fallen so ignominiously. Pare os “That boy of Barton’s can clean out Wall street oe a score of Bengal tigers, * yemarked the janitor of the, Stoc ty Exchange. . That boy of Barton’ S has evened up accounts with Gh n said the brokers, one and all.» i “Glenn is a ruined man,” said Broker Upham. live long enough to hear the last OL th Shs “That boy of Barton’s ought to have a collection for his benefit,” said another. ay Barton himself didn’t age of = ¥ cee ere? it till someon cam, h id they notice ‘the car
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THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. 13 “You bet they did, once.” “Did Glenn see you?” “You bet he did, and made for me. I skipped out.” Some twenty minutes elapsed eré the old man got the bal- ance of the story. Then he roared and slapped Alex about in his joy. It broke up business over there at f : CHAPTER X. ’ “WE ARE A PAIR, AIN'T WE?” The next day Glenn awoke to find himself the laughing- stock of all New York, That boy of Barton’s was famous. Old brokers came in to see him’and shake his hand. Among those who called was Banker Comak, the stout bid ies oa whose fall he had broken on the stairs, : “This is the first day I have been out since my fall,” te said po tO, Alex. "me at a great risk to yourself. and five $20 goldpieces, Here’s a gold watch for you When you want a friend come and see me. I'll stand by a boy like you as long ag I have a dollar,” and he crammed the watch and coins into Alex’s coat pocket as he spoke. Then he went out and Alex stood there looking at the old broker, who said to him: “You torgot to thank him, Alex.” Alex wheeled, ran out and overtook the old banker at the : head of the stairs. p “I want to thank you, sir,” he said. “That's all right, my boy. I'll owe you thanks as long as I live,” replied the old gentleman. ‘ He was returning to the office when he ran into Jimmie, _ He was going to give him the return blow he owed him, but _ Jimmie dodged him, dropping a note in doing so, and skipped _ off downstairs. Alex laughed, picked up the note and read Be It was from Truman to Keating: “Unload as easily as you can, We have a bigger stock to ' deal in for .Monday.” “By George, what luck!” and he wheeled’ and ran down the _ the bank and said: “Sell me out at once, please.” “All right,” wag the reply. : Then he tore up the note into fine bits, and went back to _. the office, where he found Jimmie looking for the lost paper out in the corridor. ‘a On reaching the top of the flight of stairs Alex stopped and watched Jimmie’s search for the lost note. He knew what “he was looking for, but did not say anything to him about it. ty ‘Jimmie was worried and had a frightened look in his face. Even his feud with Alex was forgotten. ’ A Tessie Craig opened the door of her office and saw him ‘anxiously searching every nook and corner of the corridor. “What are you looking for, Jimmie?” she asked him. _ “I dropped a note here somewhere,” he replied, without looking up. : > “What sort of a note—money?” “No. It was a note from Mr. Truman to Mr. Keating over at the Exchange, and he told me to hurry with it,” ‘ “Then run upstairs and tell him you have lost it. e very. important. He can write another one.” Tessie had good judgment and a cool head for one so. young. Jimmie hesitated, He dreaded ned yeas of ae sali ve \ It may “But I haven’t forgotten you, my boy. You saved: yi stairs as fast as his heels could carry him. He rushed into }. “That was the best thing he could do,” Alex said to Tessie, going up to the young typewriter, “You have a very level head for a pretty girl.” “And you have a very silly one to-day,” she parted “What’s the matter with you? I won’t have any compliments during business hours.” “There’s where your head is level again, pretty as it is,” he remarked. “That ugly, decorated face of yours has turned your head,” she returned. “I won’t accept compliments from you, even after business: hours, till you get handsome again.” ‘i “That’s the girl of it. No business.in that. Glad, you think me handsome when my face is all right. I think you are very pretty all the time.” “Oh, my!” she laughed, aeeiee inside and closing the door behind her. Alex chuckled and went to his own post, saying softly. to himself: “Jimmie’s loss is my gain. But for that note I might have held on too long and got a squeeze. Jimmie will cateh it,” and he chuckled as he sat down to wait for orders, The door opened and Maurice Glick came in. Alex looked up at him and their eyes met. The clerk had a dark shade | under his left eye, but Alex had both optics in full mourning. The sight of his face filled Glick’s soul with unutterable joy. | “Oho, oho!” he exclaimed, a broad grin illumining his face. “We are a pair, ain’t we?” said Alex, grinning, too. “Who gave ’em to you?” Glick asked. “Mr. Babcock,” Alex answered. “God bless him!” & Glick went to his desk, hung up his hat and coat, prepara- tory to going to work at his desk. “Back again, eh?” said the old bookkeeper. you. How do you feel to-day?” “I’m all right,” and then he went over to the old: hodke keeper, extended his hand and said: ; “T want to thank you for decorating Alex’s eyes. They are * ‘beautiful. How did you come to do it?” a The old bookkeeper looked at him over his gold- -bowed spee=i (4 tacles and asked: & ' “Did he tell you I ane it?” tips Ae “Yes, sir.” } sa The old man chuckled and exclaimed: A ) “That boy is having more fun with you. I advise you to — let him alone,” Glick flushed red in the face and retired to his desk, while the good-natured old bookkeeper kept up a quiet chuckling for some minutes. "4 Just before business closed for the day, Alex got a chance ie to see Blaisdell and asked him what his shares sold for, i “They went at 84—and just in time, too,” was the reply. “That was good enough,” Alex remarked, hurrying out and ~ returning to the office. There he figured up. BL ae “Bought at 62, sold at 84,” "he said, as his pencil made a rapid memoranda on an old envelopé. “That’s $22 a share. be I had 322 shares. That pans out $7,084. Whew!” and he ‘ whistled. “Bless that girl! I’m getting rich! ” eT ny When business closed he went into Tessie’s office, It was # ‘Saturday afternoon, and the girls were winding up the week’s i work as fast as they could,, He had just spoken to Tessie when hé saw Irene beckoning to him ‘to come over to a table. Tae NOG He went. there, and she said: ; SNe : - “Qlad to see $100 in gold to-day. Is it true?” “Yes; | Mr. ‘Comak gave it to me.’ » a ‘
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14 THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. “Well, it was kind of him. Mother will be so gla hears! it.” x: “Here’s one for you,’ “he said, laying a $20 goldpiece down | en the table before her. ae . She sprang up, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Oh, my!” exclaimed one of the girls, some other girl have your brother!” £ “He gave me this,” said Irene, holding up ‘the goldpiece. “Whew! Twenty dollars! I don’t blame you, I’d hug ‘and kiss him myself for half that!” and all.the girls laughed. “That's the sort of a brother to have,” Tessie remarked. i “He has always been a good brother,” said Irene. A “lm going to wait for him,” said a tall blonde. _ fellows are scarce nowadays.” “Guess I’d better get out to save the other pieces,” remarked Alex, going toward the door. The girls laughed, and Tessie followed him out into the corridor. “The receipts for the week are forty-two dollars above ex- penses,” she said to him. “What must I do with the money?” ' “Raise your pay ten dollars a week more as manager, “he replied. s “Oh, my! Do you mean that?” “Yes—and raise Irene to ten dollars, now, does she not?” “Yes; she is a fast writer,” “Very well. Tell her not to let the tae girls know it.” , ‘Well, you are kind, Alex, and. * 4N8 compliments during business hours, you know,” he said, interrupting her. — ‘She laughed, and he added: - “You and Irene must go’ out for a dinner with me, so hurry up and get hone girls off.” i _ She went back and in a little while the girls left, leaving “only. Trene and Tessie in the office. Then Tessie gave Irene : $3 more, telling her that hereafter her salary would be $10 a week, _ Trene was overjoyed, and she hugged and kissed Tessie with _ great deal of enthusiasm. Then es went out to dinner with Alex, _ They were a happy trio. sy AS: soon as they were seated a couple bE well-dressed men , passed their table. “Hello!” ejaculated one of them. “There's, that boy of _Barton’s. Just look at his face, will you?” The two men turned and looked at him. They were ‘both okers, for he had seen them in the Stock Mxchange, but did not know their names. » They had evidently been drinking a! ittle, for they did not seem to care whether the two girls ard their remarks or ot. ‘Sitting down at a table near by they stared at the two girls, and one said: : : “Those are two pretty girls he has Man him. The Rone ‘luck runs in every direction.” — ‘I think we ought to go SAN from here,” Irene whisper ed to Tessie. Alex took a pencil from his pocket and Smntacont the margin ofa paper: “You ought to let “Such She does good work and her friend, ru aie you a smell of Glenn's: cologne,” . 5 ? “ ALDX. RESTA ty * i it d when sho; ! asked, when she saw what effect it had om the two men, ‘scription: ‘Boy,’ and not half of them know your real. name, I 1 yout ee Keating. eaatd buy, 'Truman’s ee sae. a ‘for Wat day. f{ you ‘two tonfora: cas any more remarks about my sister. ) those two. men. over there,” he ‘said to ‘the CHAPTER XI. ALEX GETS A GOLD WATCH, ; ae what did you write on that paper, Alex?” Tessie ‘ Why, “T simply warned them that I had two ladies in my beside he replied. Tessie rose up, walked over to the table which had been ‘80 abruptly vacated and secured the newspaper and returned to her seat, There she sat down and read the note. i A silvery-scream of merriment burst from her, and then aed she clapped a hand over her mouth, as if to prevent any more 1 noise issuing therefrom. Irene read it and then she gave vent to a similar explosion, “Glenn’s cologne!” she whispered to herself. and she nearly went into convulsions. _ ; “How quickly they skipped out,” said Tessie, fein her i in the merriment. Alex chuckled and said: » “You see, I am the cock of the walk.” . “Yes, indeed. Did you know them?” Tessie asked. “T don't know their names, but I know that they are mem-~ bers of the Stock Exchange. They were feeling their oats, have plenty of money and were on the mash. I mashed ’em.” — It wag a sumptuous dinner. Both the gitls chided him for’ his ee in ordering it. “Oh, doar! P ment.” “I do,” said Tessie, “and forgive you with all ay nest, only don’t do so any more.” : Shee! went up Broadway a happy trio. And peice Tren in gold and said he was satisfied to neds the watch, it was a fine watch, On the inside of the lid was: Sete . “From Comak “To Barton’s Boy, “Friends for Life.” “Well, I like that,” said Alex, when he read it, “why in thunder didn’t he put my name in it?” : 5 Irene laughed and said: be angry about that.” “You can bet I am “not anevy.? he mented: the gold watiaes Tr can get in the same way.” certata about it. Not until he saw it 0 up one point make up his mind to buy it. ; yP He had now nearly $10,000 in the bank. The ‘ets H. & D., going at sixty-seven when he left the Exechan, 3, eRe round to the bank in Broad street. Ss ; ing a check. for $6, 700. _ In ten minutes the shares were Soest and A to the office, ie iy “Say, have you seen Glenn?” roman ook in to see Barton on business. Wen alr Is he aire yet?” $7,
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“Look out for him.” “Tm not afraid of him.” ; Truman reported that up in his office, and the news flew that Barton’s boy had said he was ready for Glenn. Glenn had come down to his office that day for the first time since his terrible defeat by that boy of Barton’s, -Many _of his friends went in to see him. To their surprise he owned. up that he had enough. “Nobody but a fool ever tackles a skunk the second time,” he said, “and I hope I am not a fool. Hereafter Ill not only give that big boy the sidewalk, but the whole street if he wants it. He can clean out the entire street if he wants to. I could take a Winchester and kill him at long range, but I don’t care to do that.” His friends laughed, and he laughed with them, iIt-.was a bitter dose for him, but he had sense enough to know that it was wise on his part to take it, and take it he did. When. Alex heard of it he was very much astonished. “Calls me a skunk, does he? Well, I don’t blame him for saying he has enough. But I am not going to take any chances with him. He is a brute and a coward, and so I won’t trust him. Unless he fights me at long range I'll settle him the next time he tackles me. He had no right to give me those black eyes as he did. They’ll stay with me a fortnight yet. I’ve shown him up, though, and I guess there are very few people in New York who has any respect for him.” His words were repeated to Glenn, but that broker laughed and said: oe eae got enough. [I don’t want any more,” and his friends thought more of him for it. ' But his deep hatred of Alex was the one hobby he nursed in secret, and he made up his mind to bring about his ruin at any cost through the agency of others. », The old broker sent Alex over to the Exchange several times that day, so he had a chance to watch the booming of H. & a ‘D. shares. To his surprise the price made a sharp advance to 70 in a couple of hours. That set the brokers wild. Rumors of a consolidation with : another road sent the brokers in a rush for the stock. When the day ended it had gone to 73, an advance of six points. The next day the Exchange was like the séa in a storm ct from the time it opened till it closed. The last bid was for & 80. The third day it opened at 81 and the roaring of the ex- before. Some of the brokers seemed to be utterly beside them- Selves in their frantic efforts to get the stock. “They are all crazy over there, sir,” Alex said to the old man. q “Yes: most men are crazy, more or less, at all times. What’s the latest?” “HH, & D. was going at@89 when I left there, sir.” vi “Keating still buying?” ie: “Yes, Si ' The old man remained quiet for a time and then went out. ny, “Let me see that watch Comak gaye you?” Babcock asked ps ee a few minutes later. Alex pulled it out of his pocket and handed it over to ‘him. “He looked at it carefully and remarked: Fe islet gals “It's a fine watch, my boy. You ought. to take good care of es THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. | quickly. ited multitude on the floor was greater than ever known |: | He felt solid, and no longer cared to engage in boyis ne become a ‘power | in Wall street took possession of him. 15 taken plumb crazy, and sent home in charge of two balleae : men.” | a Alex slipped out and ran over to the bank. a “Sell me out—quick!” he said. f In five minutes Blaisdell had sold his shares at 95, Half an hour later they were going at 98. The wildest excitement . reigned, and thousands gathered in the streets about the Dx- — change. ; “I guess I’m safe on that deal,” Alex said to himself. “There . is no excuse for getting excited, anyway.” ~ 5 a “Hello, Barton!” greeted a ‘broker, tapping him on the shoulder. Alex looked up, and saw a big stout broker, and was about to inform him that his name was Alston, when he was silenced with: Son “My typewriter is sick, and I’ve an awful lot of ae for; her on hand. Get me a good one right away, and it's five dollars for you, my boy.” j “Send it over at once to Mr. Barton’s office,” said Alex, “and six girls will get at it like ducks after corn.” : “Six of ’em! ‘That means quick work. Just what I want. T’ll send it over at once,” and he hurried away. Alex ran up — and dashed into the typewriter’s room, saying: “T’ve got a big job for you.” “What is it?” Tessie asked. “Work, of course. Did you think it was ice Pahari t The girls laughed, and Tessie said: : “Bring it, along.” ‘ é It came in about ten minutes. The stout broker came with — it to explain what he wanted done. He looked at all the girls $ a and seemed to be struck with Irene. y : “Above all things,” he half whispered to Tessie, “don’t let any of your customers see it,” and then he went out. It was a lot of work—nearly $50 worth, and had to be done oe She read it over and saw that it was about the consolidation ie of two big railroads out west—agreements for signatures ps : all sorts of transfers. : “T need two more girls and two more mabobsndsy ” she said za to Alex. . “Get ’em at once, * he vote: She did, and the entire force worked till six fo} *clock. Tessie told Alex what the work was. : “Ah! It’s going to be a big deal, I guess. Let me know the ae names of the two roads.” She told him and he set to work to find out. gente them— on the map. t ; The S. & T..was to be absorbed, or eenisplidaies with the irunk line. The stock was-down low—41. The trunk line was at 107, and was to guarantee the stock of the S. & T. “Great Scott!” he exclaimed. “That is a bonanza! for that as sure.as fate!” The next day the bank settled with him on the H. & << deal, He had bought at 67 and sold at 95, making $28,000 less. com: ; rl go mission. The cashier looked at him over his glasses a said: fia ~ J a: 3 “You are a lucky lad, Alex?” eX uae * CHAPTER XII. “BARTON’S BOY SENT You THERE!” — Alex had now acquired a feeling of confidence in and pranks. The all absorbing desire to make money an ‘His face had now become clear. The discolorati his ee had eer ee nt he uae | the an
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16 ' broker Alex went over to the bank and ordered 8,000 shares of S$. & T. to be bought on his account, giving a check for $33,- 000 to cover margins. *Blaisdell was amazed when he got the order. He didn’t know who it was for. The stock was down low in the list, and nothing had been done with it for months. He had no difficulty in getting the stock. The stout broker, whose name was Meyers, was in the Hix- change at the time, and heard of the purchase, He seemed to be dismayed for a minute or two, and went over to Blaisdell. “Do you want any more of that stock?” he asked. “No. I had an order for that block.” “Who buys it?” “I don’t know. The firm ordered the purchase. ‘unload any of it to-day?” “No. It has been dormant so long I was surprised, that’s all.” ' Meyers came over to see Tessie. “Did anybody see that matter?” he asked her. “No, sir—only the girls, and each one had detached parts. - Anything wrong about it, sir?” ; “T don’t know. I thought to-day that perhaps somebody might have seen and read some of it. It is very important sometimes to keep such papers a profound secret.” “IT am aware of that, sir, and try to guard all my work closely, I hope always to get more work from my patrons.” “The work is first-class. I shall certainly send you more when I have it.” Piva “Thank you, sir.” — He kept his eyes on Irené all the time he was talking to Tessie. Irene was busy and had not taken any notice of him. That evening Tessie paid Irene a visit at her home, and told her that Meyers was: evidently fascinated. “Why, I hadn’t noticed him,” Irene said, her face flushing -and eyes sparkling, “For heaven’s sake, introduce him if he asks you to.” » Want to “No, indeed. No spooning in business hours or at the office He ‘and Tessie shook her head in a very determined way. ° “You are right, my child,” said’ Mrs, Alston. “Nothing but ‘business down there.” — - : “My! Isn’t it business—the most important of all—for a ‘girl to catch a rich husband?” exclaimed Irene, laughing. “Husbands are rarely caught that way, my child. If he ef ‘wants you for a wife he will seek you in your home.” _ Days and weeks—three of them—passed, and the 9. & T. shares had not advanced a penny. Alex was puzzled. He did not know what to think of it. Meyers visited the type- writers’ office nearly every day, bringing work. He talked be, pleasantly with Tessie, but devoured Irene with his eyes, “May I ask the name of the young lady near the rear window there?” he asked her. y “Yes, Her name is Irene Alston. boy of Barton’ By f “Oh, indeed! I know her prother well, : of the brightest boys I ever met!.” “So do I—and she is as bright as he is—in a different way.” “Indeed! T should like to know her,” he remarked. “Men of your wealth arid standing ought not to flirt with poor girls, ‘Mr. Meyers,” and Tessie . looked him in the eyes as she spoke. " ee never do. I am a single man, and! always admired the vnex, 11 admire Miss Alston very much, though I’ve neyer seen her outside this room. She is the last woman in the world She is a sister of that I think he is one would dare flirt with, for she has a terrible brother, you REL Le aa a | eit: in ‘the sae ai THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. The broker finally asked Alex how long he Bab Lai to hold that S. & T. stock. “Hanged if I know. I may have made a mistake. Just hold it a week longer, please.” Two days later the stock went up half a point. The nest day it went up two points. Somebody was quietly picking it — up in small lots. At the end of the week it had gone up to. 46, a rise of five points. “Just hold on to it,” Alex said, and a few days later it be- gan to be called for in the Stock Exchange. Then it went up, up, daily, till a rush was made for it by all the brokers. oh Meyers was buying it, and he took all that came his way. Finally the news of the consolidation leaked out, and a went up at a bound to par. Q “Sell me out quick!” Alex ordered, and it was done, “Good Lord!” he gasped. “I’ve made a fortune at one blow!” and he took off his hat and fanned himself. ‘ He went down on the street and looked about like one ina dream. He could not realize that he, Barton’s boy, was richer than many members of the Stock Hxchange. “T am worth half a million in cold, cold cash,” he said tone himself, as he stood there on the curb round in Broad street, — his hands thrust down deep into his pockets. “Hope I Ge turn fool and sass the old man, If I can keep my grip on my — good luck I can double it, Did ever a boy have such luck? Tessie’s thousand dollars did the business for. me. Tll even up with her some day. Luck! I wonder if it is luck—or my good judgment in dealing with stocks? I’ve never bought ex- cept on a ‘tip, so it’s just luck in getting the tips. ‘Here’s | $472, 000 made in one deal. When the commissions come out I’ll have a half million. Lord, but I’ll make things hum in- the next deal,” and with that he made his way round to the office, went up to his post and quietly sat down to await. orders: from the old broker. The old man had made money in the deal cnmiipene $50,000—and was in a jolly good humor when he came in. He tapped his bell for Alex, who hurried into the pias office. 2 Alex hibecrhied over to Meyers & Heywood’s office. tt re Meyers there with a half dozen railroad men in a private r001 They were having a fine old row. iia “T tell you, somebody betrayed us,” he heard one man sae the sounds coming through the transom. “Somebody had tha block of 8,000 shares lying by waiting for us. Sending ae work out to be typewritten did the business.” : “T don’t think so,” said Meyers. “I cautioned the ane be careful, and from what I’ve seen of her since, I am satisties the leak was not there.” “Well, I am not convinced. through somebody’s carelessness, and I want to find out Ww that careless one is.” “So do I,” assented Meyers. We are out over $400, 000 ae “We would have trusted ern writers here if we had them. So I don’t see how we rae Ne ore es them without some proof.” “Barton’s boy sent you there, you say. el Keep your ey on him while you are looking for the leak. ea Alex’s hair stood on end. eee: XIII. ‘ “She A ay {
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Lit Peg ete “How long have you been waiting here?” he asked him. “About ten minutes,” was the reply. : “Well, wait till I write an answer to this note,” and he went into his private office to write it. When he came out with it he followed Alex out into-the corridor. “See here, Alston,” he said to him, “come this way. I want “to see you,” and he led the way to a corner. aa Alex went with him, wondering what he could want of him. *You heard what was said about that matter of the type- writing, didn’t you?” Meyers asked. Wexes— I eouldn’t help hearing it.” “Sq I supposed. You heard me say that the leak could not - have occurred there, did you not?” “Yes, sir.” “Well, now, I want to ask you not to let Miss Craig know anything about it. It would hurt her feelings. She does. the pest work I ever saw, and I am going to give her all we have _ to do, When our typewriter recovers and comes back I’d like - to have Miss‘ Craig take her on and let us have one of hers. ' That. will save throwing her out of a situation. But don’t - tell her so until the other girl comes back.” : “All right, sir. “You'll be careful now?” “Yes, of course,” returned Alex. The broker shook hands with him and turned away. Alex hurried back to the office with the reply to old Barton’s note, “Tessie little dreams that what she told me was the leak , ‘those fellows complained of,” he said to himself, as he went of bounding up the stairs that led to the old broker's offices. My “Hanged if that isn’t the way to get tips. It might be a good ' idea for me to take charge of the business and look out for j ‘tips. ” ~ Barton was out when he returned, So he laid the note on his desk and went in to see Tessie. She was busy giving out “work to the girls, and the machines were ticking all over the room. On her desk lay quite a lot of work waiting to be called for. He glanced over the sheet of paper lying nearest to him. It was a copy of a contract for the leasing of the A. & P. Railroad to the C. & B. for ninety-nine years. The nom O% & B. guaranteed six per cent interest to the bond and stock- 4) holders. He sprang up and went out without having spoken a word to Tessie. Out in the corridor he met Mr. Truman, the broker. : “Mr. Truman,” he asked, 0-day?” “Seventy-seven yesterday. Don’t know what the latest is,” was the reply. - “Thank you, sir.” He went out and made his way over to the bank. _ “Towant to gee Mr. Blaisdell,” he said to the cashier. “te ig over at the Exchange,” he was told. He went to the Exchange and found the: broker there who. “dia the buying for the bank. . “will you please tell me what A. & P. stock is worth to- day?” he said to him. ; Sit is going at 771-4 to-day. Was going at 77 aaterditee Aah. slight advance.” : “Is there much of it on the market?” y: es; something like 30,000 shares, edged, by any means.” pala “How is GC. & B.?” “That's. gilt-edged—way up—112 to-day. ” “Thank you. ink you could pick up 20, 000 shares for me?” “Bas —no trouble: at all. “what is A. & P. stock going at THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. : Ls ae ; SRSINAE TA. ea te BSE — a . Tt . not regarded : as|- i | The old man seemed to be satisfied, too. I want to buy A. & P. on the quiet. De you | Glenn is bir a stock si k done, he walked out in a leisurely way and returned to the office. Ten minutes later Blaisdell, in the Stock Exchange, bought a block of 5,000 shares of the stock for him. Broker Glenn was buying the stock, too, but was not offering any for sale. An hour later the price was 771-2, At that figure Blaisdell bought 5,000 from Truman. Just before the Exchange closed for the day the other 10, 000 shares were obtained at 78. ‘ Naturally the brokers noticed such heavy purchases. Glenn was surprised to find Blaisdell buying the stock also, and ask- ed him whom he was buying for. “The order’came from the bank. Don’t know who ordered : it,” he replied. Glenn got hold of 6,000 shares in small lots, and the price went up rapidly after that. The next day it went up to 83 by noon, when a great scramble for it began in the Exchange. Broker Glenn was buying for the C, & B., and thus had a — strong backing. But he, as well as the great corporation for which he was acting, became astounded at the way the ath was held: back, es, > The C, & B. managers ordered him to cease bidding for the ¢ | stock, and try to pick up only those shares that were offered. But the brokers had become excited, and it went up, up till. it reached 90, There it stopped. “Guess I’d better see Blaisdell about it,” Alex said to him- self. “It may.drop back to the old price.” He saw the broker, who told him to go to the bank and ie Ry the order. He did so, adding: ; “Tell him to go slow—1,000 or 2,000: at a time so as to avoid searing ‘em off.” ‘ Then he went back to the office. © “Where have you been?” old Barton asked niin when he came in. “Over to the Exchange, sir.” ‘ “Well, you have no business to be anywhere else but ° there unless I send you,” the old man said. “You don’t want to for- att get that. Take this over to the Exchange to Mr. Keating,” ae and he handed him a note. i Alex took the note and hurried out with it. ; Keating was buying A. & P. as fast as he could get it; saad handed him the note. He read it and said: “Tell him all right!” and went on with his buying. Alex hurried back with the verbal message, delivered it and then went to his corner to await orders. The old broker — ealled him back and asked: t " Ree HG “What was he buying when you gave him my note?” SAS Pyar. “At what figure?” Atay or em “Ninety and a quarter, I believe, sir.” : 2 The old man turned to his desk and began making figures: iy on a sheet of paper. Alex stood there near the desk anc waited. f “Run over again and dea if it bie up axe higher,” the rei man said to him. gallery in the Hxchange looking on at the scene. was going up again. He saw Blaisdell and asked: “Have you sold?” ‘ \ ; “Yes—at an average of DOR a ; Paar as “An right. I am satisfied.” ‘ He went back and told Barton of the wep oe tn the stock, i “But one never knows whe the >| Alex, as he pad tp nis post. | h at bottom is going t to abibe out of a stock, 80 it is | : I
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as soon as possible,” the old man said to him as he gave him Some papers to be copied. He took them and hurried into Tessie’s office with them. Tessie was out, so he gave them .to Irene to copy. The door opened and Broker Meyers entered with some papers in his hand. He took off his hat, bowed low to her and asked: “Ts Miss Craig in?” . Said Alex, before Irene could answer him: has charge while she is out.” “Ah! Happy: to know you, Miss Alston. Meyers?” E “Oh, yes, sig,” frene replied, blushingly, for she was aware of his eagerness to get acquainted with. her. -*T am in a hurry for these and will have to wait for them,” che said. “Take a@ seat, sir, and I’ll see if I can have them cote at once.” She went to one of the girls and put her to work on the ‘papers, after which she returned to the desk. He entered into _ conversation with her, and said: “Do you know I’ve been waiting to make your acquaint- ance, Miss Alston, ever since I first saw you. I am a single man, was never in love in my life and never cared a snap about even getting acquainted with any young lady till I saw you in here two weeks ago.” Alex heard it and looked up ‘at Irene with a smile on his ~ face. She was blushing furiously, and was so confused she - ‘sould not make any reply. ‘But Alex broke in with: om “All of which means, in plain United States, that he is stuck on you, sister.” _ Irene was worse flustered than ever, and Meyers blushed ‘and stammered: ; ._“T—er—ah—you’ve hit it, Alex!” _ “Of coursa I have. Bless you, my children! May——” Dies LMOh, for Heaven's sake go away!” cried Irene, pushing Alex ‘away. “You are too impudent for anything!” _ “Want me out of the way, eh? Why, those girls there would ae stop work to watch the billing and cooing if I should leave, - Dean -. “Thank Heaven you have come!.” exclaimed Trene, as Tessie entered the room. “Why, what’s the matter?” Tessie asked, in a half exclama~ ' tory tone. 5 “Business is getting mixed,” Alex replied, laughing merrily, _ Trene turned on him, and said in a half tragic tone of voice: ars 6 8 you don’t behave yourself I’ll send for a policeman and _ have you arrested.” y . + “Just go ahead, I havent any of Glenn’s cologne with*’me ae ‘now. Mr. Meyers will pay my fine. He loves me for my ‘Sister's: sake,” . yf * Meyers laughed and Irene retreated to the rear room, blush- ‘ing furiously. “Well, will somebody please explain?” Tessie asked, looking trom one to’the other. ; “I brought in some work,” said Meyers, “and Miss Alston as acting for you in your absence, when Alex came in and proceeded to have fun with us. I am in doubt as to what 1 sanabe to do—hug him or kill him.” “My sister here You know me— CHAPTER XIV. - ALEX GIVES HIS MOTHER A SURPRISE, thsadte have been expected, esa Meyers had work tor | THAT BOY OF BARTON’S ‘lin, together with many ornaments to beautify the ho .| for the carriage. Aas came in. due | little flat aes went down to the a sad look came into her face as she shook her head. re se “We live in a small flat way uptown on the east side,” she said. “We hope to move soon, I cannot receive comp there at present.” Hoge “Don’t let that interfere. I was born in just such a ho myself and know all about it.” AG “Well, wait till I ask mother about it,” she replied. She loved him, and was anxious to have him call/on her. On her way uptown that afternoon she said to Alex: “Mr. Meyers wants to call on me at our home, I had te fuse him. Oh, this poverty crushes every hope of my hear 3 and her eyes filled with tears. Alex’s heart was touched, He loved his beautiful sister, oe and wanted to, see her and his mother happy. He was silent ; for some time, and then said: Suit ! “We ought to move to another and larger flat, and we | next month.” d “How can we?” i Sa: “Easily enough. \ Just tell him to wait ten days, and p he can call every evening if he wishes, ” } “Have you got any money?” and she gave fens a ‘se look as she asked the question. “Yes—a little nest égg.” PE Cy “How much?” = “Six hundred dollars in eat. 2 { “Now aon’? go and blurt it out,” he said to had , been doing a little speculating on margins, To-morrow can take the day off and go flat-hunting, Go oyer on the side and get a good seven room flat. I’ll give you a ch rent and furniture, Don’t lef mother know till we ge into it. It will be jolly to see her surprise,” Irene was beside herself with joy. She could now have a parlor in which to receive her r —a thing she had long ardently wished for. On the ; stair: stopped to hug and ‘kiss him in her joy. Their mott dered what had happened to make the two children 0 that evening. But they did not tell her, = The next day Alex told Tessie that Irene had “gor hunting and mould not be downtown that Bs 0H man when he failed to see elk “put, ie came poe: thr ee o’clock, and told age she had rented an. elgti “Tt is to be scala in tikes days,” she kid an } ean move in.” 3 adorn the mete and, vantenowen to her, had a fine iano Then they took Tessie into their confidence, of the surprise they were preparing ss their mo invited us there—sent a carriage for: her. ee then, and we'll haye a: high old time “when she 1 it is to be her home after that. sors and yo ir mot be there to receive us, and be i 105 beet cea i Tessie entered heatiily into the spi t of t 4
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en He THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. | Tessie and her mother received the widow with a great deal of cordiality. They led her through the flat, and set her down id a table groaning with a load of good things. _ “Oh, you have such a lovely home, Mrs. Craig,” said Mrs. s |alston, when the feast was over and they had adjourned to the parlor. , | “Oh, this isn’t my home,” Mrs. Craig replied. it was!” “Why, whose is it?” “Tt is yours, All this is a surprise-Alex and Irene have pre- pared for you. You ought to be a happy mother with two such children.” ; _ The widow was speechless with amazement, She sat there / and gazed from one to the other of her children. Irene ran _ into her arms, kissed her and said: | “Oh, it’s Alex’s work, mother. He is just the best boy on’ earth!” ~ “Alex! Alex! Is thig my home?” the mother asked. - “Yes, mother, and eyery dollar it cost is paid. I have the receipted bills.” ; Then she broke down—cried' in her joy, and kissed: every- body in the flat. Alex broke down, too, light-hearted as he g was, and tried to hide his tears. But Mrs. Craig caught him - in her arms and kissed him, saying: A, “You haye made your mother happy. That ought to make you so the rest of your life.” “T am sure I am ‘as happy to-night as she is,” he replied. “T only wish 4 ‘Ped has been a good mother to me.” ay “And you have been a good son,” said his mother. a “That's right,” he said. “You tickle me and I'll tickle you,” and a burst of laughter told that the tears had ceased to flow. Then Tessie, who had some skill as a musician, sat down at he piano and played many merry tunes, She sang, too, and: . Trene_sang with her. Then Mrs, Alston sat down and aston- ished them with her skill in manipulating the keys. She had been a fine performer in the days of her maidenhood. Disaster ad swept her father’s fortune away ere she married, and her husband had nothing but love and a bare support to offer “Oh, I am so glad you can play, mother!” cried Irene. |. You can soon teach me to play as well as you can.” “And it won’t be so lonesome for you while we are away ing the day,” added Alex. Thus was the loving mother made happy by the two children ‘or whom she lived. Her eyes sparkled, and the glow of youth Seemed to bloom in her pale cheeks again. Alex escorted Tessie and her mother to their home but a few blocks away, and then returned to find his mother still at the piano, singing the old songs of her girlhood days. ; 16 made him tell her how he had made so much money, d he explained to her the workings of the margin money in ll street speculation. She had heard him speak of it before, never dreamed that she would ever receive any benefit rom the system. “How much money have you got left after paying for all his?” she asked him. “Several hundred dollars,” he replied, “and I expect soon to ave as many thousands. I am just getting my hand in now.” “Well, you know more about it than I do. I won’t interfere h you in any way, but simply say be careful—be cautious. ! ‘I believe I am built that way, mother,” he replied. “I am g to make a fortune, and never think of buying a stock iknow that it is going up. It is time for all young to. be it in bed if they want to look beautiful, in the b Alex had pleasant dreams that night, and when he arose in the morning and heard his mother singing in the kitchen, he was eyen happier than on the evening before. Irene left the house together, and reached the office before Tessie did. The latter soon joined them, and the work of ae day began. When Meyers draped in he was made happy by being told by Irene that they had moved, and that she could now receive her friends in a comfortable home. “Then look for me this evening,” he said. He called and was surprised at the air of comfort and refine- ‘ ment that pervaded the flat. He stayed to a late hour and then left, cn deeply in love than ever. CHAPTER XV. DEATH OF THE OLD BROKER. A week or so after the events recorded in the precedim, chapter, Alex was in the office when Broker erate ‘came in and asked if Mr. Barton was in. “Yes, sir,” Alex replied, going into the little office 6 bese his employer of the broker’s presence. “Tell him to-come in,” said the old man, and a few moments later the young broker was seated in the little office in a close, earnest conversation with him. He remained half an hour and then went out. : The old man rang for Alex, and the latter promptly re- sponded. © “Bring me—a—glass—of water.” ) He looked up and saw a change come over the kindly old face. Darting into the other room he filled the glass with water and hurried back. As he passed Babcock’s desk, he said: “You had better come in, sir.” “Ah? What?” the old bookkeeper ejaculated. But Alex had passed in to the little office with the ate, of water, He sprang up and followed him. straight at the pigeon holes of his desk. “Here’s the water, sir,” the desk. “My God’s, he’s dead!” gasped Babcock, dhe ‘nomen he saw the old man’s eyes. Sites “Lord, no!” exclaimed Alex, starting back, as though’ stricken, glaring up, at the rigid form before him. “Dead as a herring,” said Babcock, inyine's a hand on the old man’s arm. Alex darted into the other room and told Glick and oy other clerk. They both ran in to see for themselves. : “Good Lord, it’s true!” said Glick, turning pale and stagger- ing to a seat. a Alex then went into the typewriter’s room and told ‘Tessie aye about it, She was shocked—horrified—and dropped area: into her seat, saying: ! “Oh, it is awful!” » “Shut the door and keep it shut,” he said to her, be a crowd up here as soon as the news gets out.” He went out and Tessie sprang up and shut the door, When he returned to the office, Babcock said to him: “Run down and send a policeman up here to keep back the! crowd. Then send a messenger for the coroner, I'll telegrap ; to his nephew uptown.” : 4 Alex ran down and told the policeman on the block, who /went up and stood guard at the door. | ger for the coroner. Then he sent a messen. That done, he returned to the office. ‘Jus as’ he got there Broker Truman met him itr the door. a : poreeee agate the bap saying: ae He and > said Alex, depositing the sind on “There dt : The old broker was seated bolt upright in his Kee alana ns
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20 cas ' HAT BOY OF BARTON’S. , “Mr. Barton is dead, sir.” “Bh? What? Dead? In there?” “Yes; died in his thair.” Truman was shocked to such a degree he had to lean against take these rooms and open an office in them.” the wall for support. It was the worst shock of his life. Then he made his way back to His own office, where he sank | gold-rimmed glasses. The news |. flew through the building with astonishing rapidity, and in] place as general adviser, and——” ‘into a seat and told what had happened downstairs, less than five minutes the corridor was jammed with brokers and clerks. The officer kept them back, admitting no one but such as the} not last a week in the business,” old bookkeeper chose to have inside. The crowd remained there for hours, tion of the body. It was taken charge of by an undertaker and carried away. The nephew told Babcock to take charge of the office and ‘con- tents until the estate could be settled, promising to see that his salary should be, continued till the settlement was reached. “How about the clerks and ‘the messenger, sir?” Babcock} man.. asked. “Let “he messenger get another place. | “let them. go.” “Then they'll have to go, for they have no wait to do. ‘ Business stopped when he stopped, sir.” { Alex heard him, and tears came into his eyes. “tT can get another place,” he said to Babcock, after. the _ nephew had gone. : eT hope so. But I don’t know that I can, now. I was with him oyer thirty years.” | “And I ae. three years, “you every day.” A a ft am an old man your work.” The old broker had outlived a wife dia: Ges children. He do good for me to accept the title.’ Ap IO STE, Be 1%, * Was over eighty years old, and had a fortune of over $1, 000, - Bye Beh, the bulk of which was left to his nephew by will.” - ; ‘ode fortune, He inal a large thmily—threo very. pretty girls street. a shaking up. “ Alex, in the office the day they got the news. Seah am going to give every dollar of it to my mother,” he. .Te- plied, Old Babcock Lanebul his hand and said: fe “My rob ora Heart and Bead are both right, was alive, and ‘said: py alex, Tessie says you are given $10, 000 in Mr. Barton’s will! Ig it true?” ’ as Seat \ “Yes Alex replied. ' She wheeled round and ran out, very much iaeuited. tone. “He had never seen Se igen thes pends down. ¢ The old man remained at the office i a The old man’s nephew, the nearest relative| during the past few months, and the result‘is I can put in the city, came down and gave directions as to the disposi-| ten ‘times ten thousand in cold cash,” and Alex looked: him full If there is anything tae: Offices and put in some new furniture and carpe I am going to come in and see]. - “Do so, but if’ you get Mites ay you must attend to) cock. A To, Alex’s bien a codicil of the wa gave him $10,000, | fellow. _ among his ‘flock, Glick and the other clerk felt rich. They he heard about the new pn on tho sack both declared they would open a broker's office and give Wall | turned his. head. it won't last sixty days, good to those who’ wait, and I’ve béen 1 4 “What are you going to do with your money?” Glick asked | to get even. grip on him!” " Trene came chee in, a thing she never did ‘when Barton me. e | they heard that Barton’s » boy 3 “Lord, but she is a beauty! ” exclaimed Glick, in an under- placed his name on the door. as _ He was smitten, hard, whom they had SO bring pes ared. ‘sh At last the legacies were paid and a se eaiatees $i. placed on the door of the office. ~ : 3 “Mr. Babcock,” Alex. said to the old man. “I am ¢g “Bh, what?” and the old bookkeeper glared at bah 2 ove “What will you do?” “Speculate in stocks and bonds. I want you to eae “Well, let me begin by advising you not to do anything: of the kind,” said the old man, “Ten thousand dollars: wo id “Well, now, I’ve been doing a little business on mar. if in the eyes as he spoke. “Oh, come now,” and the old bookkeeper shook his “This is no time for jokes.” ~ * “Come over to the bank with me and Vil sre ity?” grate The old man went and came back a very ‘much astoni He agreed to accept the offer Alex made him, a d bought new books and paper for the business. . Alex door. “Above it a new one was: placed, ‘bearing th ee ALEX’ ALSTON, “Barton’s Boy,” Successor to—— The old bookkeeper laughed and shook 1 his ‘hi a read it. “Let it stand,” Alex said. “T fear it will do more harm than good, i “T.am known,as ‘that. Boy of Barton's; ‘and 1 think Irene almost cried with vexation | ‘when she say But Tessie and the other girls janghate and said h Bes The Lord. have meee on Alex heard it, through a reid an th “Don't let him know you told me,” he said It seemed very ay to the ol
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“As long as he lives, I guess.” ’ Dubois laughed and went out. He met Alex coming out of the typewriters’ room, and greet ed him with: “Hello!: I see you have set up for yourself.” “Yes, sir; I prefer to be my own boss,” laughed Alex. “If you can put anything in my way Tl ee ce not to place any bent pins on your chair.” Dubois laughed heartily, and repeated what Alex said when . back in his own office. Others laughed and said he would make fun for the street as long as the $10,000 lasted. Upham called on him a few minutes after Dubois left, and ‘asked what he was dealing in just then. “Tam buying J. & L. shares just now,” Alex replied. you got any?” »“*Yes—a thousand shares. What are you paying for it?” - *Fifty-eight, for all I can get.” “Tll bring down 1,000 shares right away,” hurrying out of the office. ,*What’s up about J. & L.?” Babcock asked Alex. “Consolidated with D. & P. trunk line. Keep mum.” “Have you got that straight?” the old bookkeeper asked. »“Yes—guess IT have.” - Upham returned in ten minutes with the shares. ’.. “Here they are—all in one block,” he said. . Alex looked at the paper for a few moments, and then. sat down and wrote a check for $58,000, payable to Upham & Co. ss ‘Upham looked at it in an uncertain way and said: *Tts all right, I suppose?” ae) NY oie? % - “Have it certified, please.” ~ “Certainly, Will you attend to that, Mr. Babcock?” Yes, with pleasure,” ‘said the old man, taking the check 7a and going oyer to, the ‘bank with it. Upham waited till he returned with it auly certified. Alex put the stock in the old safe. Half an hour Jater ae came back with a block of 2,000 shares, “You can have them at 58,” he said. 4 eae Fis take them,” Alex replied, calmly, writing a sepbexe for 116 000, “You van that certified, too, I suppose?” ; “Yes, ‘of course.” A “Well, just wait till I go over and have it done. I haven't secured | a messenger yok”: sa at me take it over,” said Babeock. “I began as a messen- “ger and really enjoy munting about once more.” “Very well; here it is.” ary tn ten minutes he came back with it,duly certified, almost as. much astonished as Upham was.’ Both of them could see » that there was no margin business in those two purchases. Upham went out and had a tale to tell Rha a. half hour “Have Maybe Babcock has put in his $50, 000,” he suggested. “Byen then there’s $114,000 ‘from some other source. ing 58 for J. & Wine a e is, eh? 7 see him about that. I ‘hiaiva 2 000 ‘shares, ‘He is. ey “hastened to his. office to set the shares, with a een for $116, 000 ‘duly certified, ‘He gave i THAT BOY OF BARTON'S ‘te sell on eocibainelonss Alex ‘kane Pietrestn ob | $174,000. re said Upham, | rat}" for the party cost Meyers $20. “Pretty expensive crowd, eh?” Alex remarked when ae saw as “IT want 2,000 shares more,” “Alex eald. +e mae “Tl get them for you.,. “Whom are “you buying, for?” ees “Myself,” was the prompt reply. “Bring ’em ain and set your money.” Just before business closed for “ihe ae the: 2,000 Siated oss brought in, and Alex had 10,000 shares locked up in the square old iron safe. He had paid out $580,000 for them, and still had $120,000 to his credit in ‘the bank, “We'll sit down and wait awhile now,” he said to Babcock. | , “Just enter the amount on your book how much . aid for 2 them and from whom they: were bought.” The old bookkeeper was at his wit’s end for once in his: life, ‘Here was this boy of seventeen years of age handling immense sums of money like an old veteran financier. _He had been told that he had $100,000, but here nearly six times that — amount had been paid out in one day. ass Where did the money come from? He would try to find out. . ‘“On whose account is it held?” he Sea after he had made the other eniries. q “Alex Alston’s,” Alex replied. The old man turned round and looked over his elas at him, Alex didn’t appear to notice’ him, but sauntered oe of the. office and went in to see Tessie and the girls. Meyers was in there, standing by Trene’s desk . and talking low to her. \ “Do you allow that?” he asked Tessie, smiling. “It’s a dead case of mash on both sides,” she half whispered, “and I really haven't the heart to interfere. I fe ‘not per mit it with the other girls, though.” ; Alex laughed. “He was up to the house that night and stayed till éleven o'clock. Guess I’d pater take a hand in and have some, fan ‘with them.” Ms Ra: “They are too far gone ey that, I hdvaly think they would like it.”.. ‘The girls were all preparing to go home, - Sic whisper to Tessie: What say veut’ she replied. Alex to join us. “T say yes every time,” They went to Delmonico’s downtown place and the tone ion the check. : “J enjoyed it a thousand dollars’ worth,” es senneacd, “Well, you are ‘pretty far gone. Do os want my ie, fae “Yes, and your mother’s, too. We are Scare. * “The deuce! | anything. The young brother hasn’t had a fair show case.” The Ores was to last six’ weeks. appear at the office downtown | any more as a t And I haven’t: had a chance to strike ‘ou fo.
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ee gn Eee 22. THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. “All the same you are oe to marry me when I am a little older.” She glanced at him aay plushed and asked: “Do you want me, Alex?” ; “Of course I do, and I am going to have you, too.” “But you have never told me you loved me.” “What's the use? You knew it all the time.” Her eyes sparkled and cheeks glowed. She loved him for his honesty and manly qualities, and had often wished he i was two or three years older. They were both about the same es: age. He was making. money and had a head for businéss. “What do you say?” he asked. “Will you wait for me?” 7 “Ves, ” “Good,” and he grasped her hand and, shook it as he would have shaken a boy’s hand, “You are the smartest and prettiest _and sweetest girl in Wall street. Irene has caught a broker and so have you. Oh, you typewriter girls!” She laughed and Alex went out to go to his own office. CHAPTER XVII. ALEX AND TESSIE TALK BUSINESS. . A few days after Alex bought the 10,000 shares of J. & L. _ Stock he was astonished at seeing three pretty girls, stylishly dressed, enter the office in a shy, timid way and look around as _ if in quest of someone. The door of the little private office was open all the time now since he kept no errand boy, hence he saw them when they entered. _ Just as he sprang up to meet them one of them espied the old bookkeeper, who was also advancing to meet them, and ; cried out in a Sweet, silvery voice: “Oh, there he is!” and all three ran to him. He kissed ‘them ail and then, turning to Alex, said: “These are my daughters, Alex.” Alex bowed and so did the girls, and then the happy father introduced each one by name. Alex shook hands with them, and said to the old man: _* Where in thunder have you been keeping ’ em all this time? AGT never saw any of ‘em before.” a They all laughed, and the old man.replied that they would ' never call on him there before for they greatly feared old _. Barton. _. “And we are not afraid of you,” said Josie, the youngest and sauciest of the lot, at which they all laughed again. “T am glad to hear that,” he replied. “T am terribly afraid of girls myself.” “Oh, my! Papa told us you were a regular masher, and that when we came here we’d have to look out for you.” mnie They laughed and chatted and ran all over the office, mak- hie themselves at home with a freedom that. was charming. Alex thought them all three beautiful, and told the old book- "keeper. that he ought to be a happy man with such girls in his home. / ue be three- more just like ’em growing up.” “Six girls! How many boys?” “Three boys. There’s:a crowd of us!” and he laughed. “YT should say so.” . “Come over to Brooklyn and see us some evening. Those irls can sing like birds, and——” “Oh, dear! Just listen to that!” cried the. eldest girl. “He hinks we are just the best going, when we are about like rest of girls—no better and no worse. That isn’t his fault, ugh, He would have spoiled us badly but for mother.”. if t's see it to him,” laughed Alex, “The maotes ;? “T am, my boy—I am. They are sip girls, and Ive got brought up for them. He went into Tessie’s office and per-.~ suaded her to come in and join them. Tessie sized. them wp, and when they went away she told ~ Alex that their mother had dressed them up and et them over for him to see. He laughed and told her she was jealous, head and denied it, adding: “Just wait and see. They will come over often and do all they can to win you. Did they ask you to visit them?” “Oh, yes; the old man did, too,” “But not until they knew you had ten thousand ‘dollars? “No, I never saw them before to-day,” he replied. - Thee She laughed, and he said: “There are not girls enough in this world to take: me away from you.” Her eyes shone, and she looked him full in the face, saying: “T am going to have faith in you, I shall never be sega I am too busy to be so.” “Do you know I am thinking of adding your office to mine, $ and make them all one big suite, furnishing them lavishly?” “What for?” 4 “So it will appear that I am doing a big business. You ie know how appearances go in New York. Besidés the Tent “of oie three rooms is too much for you to pay. You will have none to pay then.” She agreed and it was done. It added to the mystery. that seemed to hang over him since his purchase of 10,000 shares of J. & L. stock. Nearly every broker in Wall street had heard of that transaction, and all wondered who was backing * him, ; “Why did he buy that stock?” many amen “Tt as ai‘ as a mountain. A week has passed and it is still at 58.” “Maybe he bought for a customer,” suggested another, _ “That is the oply reasonable solution. But who in thunder is the customer?” “That’s the question,” remarked the first speaker. : A few days later Broker Glenn began buying J. & L. stoc It went up one point at once. The next day it went up to, 70. The brokers were astounded, and all sorts of rumors were — afloat. Glenn kept on buying. Alex took his Shares over to the bank to be sold by Blaisdell on his order, ee Lene Upham came to him and offered him 70 1-4 We his holding. “Haven’t got any,” he said. ; “The deuce! “Who has ‘em?” “Somebody over in’ the Exchange, I pare ” was the elusive reply. “Why did you va them?” ‘Alex stuck his tongue in his cheek and looked. knowing, That’ was all the reply he made. j Glenn sent a broker to Alex to get his By ares, “J parted with them several days ago,” was ‘Alex's on Then at least a score of others called on the same erran only to leave with the impression’ that he had sold., Yet he had told no one he had sold. It was a beiati evasion, Bu they Hevcr suspected it. But she shook her & rowed gathered about the oun Exchange, The street. Ww blocked, and the police ae to clear a passage: for vehicl pedestrians, Cay ir : “E knew sons consolidation: was going to take’ baie se Si diah up 6 11, “and never once thought about itis: haye made something out of it.” ey “Yes. What did your mother do with that thousand “It was inyested in Central Railroad stoi “That's good stock @ll the ot but it does 't pay mu ; +, is: safe though, isp i :
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consulting you.” pe Kone: . funeral. THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. aS Lite conie borrow a thousand td try it on a margin some | time, * he replied. day. ” “Tf you’ll let me manage it or advise you I'll put up $1, 000 for you.” “Oh, you good boy!” she said, “I won’t buy a tice a Teich “Very well. Ill get the cash and bring it to you. Keep your eyes open, and when you get a tip let me know.” Half an hour later she went to her banker and deposited $1,000. J. & L. went up to 90, oo Alex ordered his shares to be sold. It went in one and two thousand lots, all at 90. He made over $300,000 on the deal—getting the tip from the papers lying on Tessie’s desk. That evening he said to his mother-and Irene: “I’ve made a big, pile in Wall street. You can now have a whole house, a carriage and horses, with all the servants necessary.” “Why, how much have you made?” his mother asked... “Enough to make you a present of a $50,000 house, or even more. You and Irene had better take a carriage and go house- hunting. When you find one to suit you, don’t bother about the price, but just let me know where it is and I’ll buy it.” They found the house the next day. It was a $70,000 house _uptown, and he promptly bought it, taking the deed in his mother’s name. furnishing of it. a Trene told Meyers about it, and the broker was astonished. “Alex puzzles all,” he said. “He seems born to good luck. Then he gave her a check for $10,000 for the - I saw Glenn last evening. He had heard that Alex had made a fortune out of J. & L., while he only got the regular com- mission for buying it,” ? a5: | RO. an “very man in Wall street seems to be eager to get his fingers in my fleece.” “Of course. They see that you are a tender lamb, with fine, silky fleece. The temptation is great, my boy, very great.” “Yes, I s’pose it is. But none of them has got any of my wool yet.” “No, but look out, Don’t let ’em catch you napping. If you get into a Squeeze and need any money come to me.” “Thank you. I may want to put up el tae with you some day. » “All right. “Tve got a pile of money in my vault oa that sort of thing.” But the days and weeks glided by, and Alex had little to do. Babeock grew restless and blue. He wanted to be busy. “Just keep quiet. now and be happy,” Alex said to him. “You’ve been working hard all your life. Take it easy. I’ve made enough in J. & L. to pay your salary for ten years, even though I don’t make another dollar.” “But that isn’t business.” “The deuce is isn’t! It Bee: paid so for, hasn’t it?” “Yes, but we are idle now.” “But we are not losing anything, and - am having a good time, Just keep still and wait till I get another chance at "em. Once a year is enough when I get a good whack.” The old bookkeeper smiled, and his three pretty daughters came over once or twice a week to give Alex a chance to fall in love with one of them. They were introduced to Tessie, but did not take well to the typewriter. Tessie smiled and attended strictly to business. But she was always included in the invitation to lunch. vi One day Tessie said to him: “Alex, I must have an errand boy. /I have so much work “He says he would give me a house, too,” she remarked, | OW that one is absolutely necessary.” -*only he thinks I ought to remain with mother—and I think ‘so; too.” “That includes me, too, I hope?” “Of course. I could not do without you,” and she laughed merrily, like the happy girl she was. Glenn was pia a ata good deal on the street by the other - brokers. sees you just ‘played into the hand of that boy of Bar- some of them said to him. “You boomed the stock up for him.” “Yes; and then he unloaded on me. But it wasn’t my My clients were able to stand it.” “Of course; but they looked to you to gather in the stock on the quiet before the street found out about the consolida- 74 tion,” “Yes; but he had it and would not sell. How he got an : inkling of the consolidation puzzles me.” ' . CHAPTER XVIII. THE NEW MESSENGER Boy. The constant nagging of the brokers soon made Broker ‘Glenn mad, He vowed to set a trap for Barton’s boy and ‘scoop him for all he was worth. He little dreamed that Alex had a million in cold cash ready for anybody who could get it in a deal. Since it had become known that Alex had good money be- . hind him the brokers treated him with consideration. Hé was Banker | Cully?” pointed out to others as he passed them in the street. Comak, who had given him a gold watch and $100 in gold out of gratitude for his conduct on the stairs one day, often dropped in to see him. \ monte had a streak of Bae luck, ee boys is the banker said | “I'll get you cne. One will do for both of us.” : He was going home that afternoon when he met a newsboy on the corner of Broadway and Wall street. He had often |pought papers from him, but did not know his name. The boy was about sixteen years old, with a frank face and laughing 'plue eyes. “Guess he’ll do,” he said to himself, as he looked him over, “Tl try. him, anyway.” 3 He beckoned the newsboy to him and said: “You've been selling papers about here a.Jong time. You ought to know all the offices in Wall, Broad and Nassau streets.” “You can bet that I do, Cully,” wag the reply. paper left for you anywhere?” “No, I know where a méssenger is needed ee good pay, and I am thinking you are just the wildcat for it. What do you say?” “T’m your cat.” “Got any good clothes?” “Nope. These are my best.” (ook “Well, you'll have to have a new rig, your hair cut, nose wiped and patent-leather shoes eg Hey “That leayes me out, Cully.” - “Oh, no, it doesn’t. Ill rig you up.’ “Want a The boy looked at him in a very dubious way. Alex smiled ‘f and said: “You can haye ten dollars a week if you ae hard to ean ‘ it, What is your name?” } “Tim Healy. The boys call me ‘Tiger Tim,’ “Alex Alston, but the boys call me ‘Barton’s poy.” Tt “Gee whiz! I know you. Got lots of rocks an’ a bottle sweet- sr_elling stuff. . pee V’m your rice. 2% Alex Baa adding: What 46: yours, i \
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24 THAT BOY you,” and they went to a clothing store where two suits of fine clothes were soon bought, with shoes, hat and shirts and underwear, They were sent to his home while he went to a barber’s and had his hair cut anda bath. Alex stayed with him, and soon saw that he had picked up an original charac- ter. He paid all the bills, and then gave him directions where to report the next morning. When he saw Tim the next morning at the office, he hardly knew him. The clothes fitted him snugly, making him as handsome a lad as any he ever met. He shook hands. with him and led the way up to the office. None of the girls had arrived yet, so he sat down and told him what he was to do. When Tessie arrived Alex introduced Tim as her messenger. _ She looked at him and said: “Why, he’s the newsboy! My, what a change!” and then they all three laughed. The girls all declared him to be the handsomest messenger in the street. Tim was as polite to them as a French dancing master. He was prompt and unerring in his duties, and _ Tessie told Alex he was a jewel of a messenger. A few days after Tim went to work as a messenger, a big burly peddler entered the typewriters’ office, with combs and brushes for sale. Tessie told him nobody in there wanted ‘his wares. But he was persistent, and started in to interview each girl, ‘ expatiating on his goods with insolent volubility. Tessie ordered him out. He merely grinned at her, It was evident that he intended to force some one of the girls to buy in order to get rid of him, ° _ “Tim, call an officer!” said Tessie to the messenger, “Want him put out?” Tim asked. '*Yes—quick!” / lifted him off his feet and ran out into the corridor with him. _At the head of the stairs he unloaded him with a toss. The stairway was littered with combs, brushes and a score of other things, as the owner of them rolled in a heap to the bottom of the flight. The peddler groaned, swore in a half dozen tongues and foal proceeded to gather up his wares. A crowd quickly gathered, and the police arrested the fellow and marched him off to the _ station-house. _ Tim quietly returned to his place and sat down. Tessie and the girls looked at him in utter amazement. He smiled and - said: “Guess I’m petcemith enough, Miss Tessie.” “My, yes!” she said, _ Alex came in to tell Tessie that a peddler had fallen down thé stairs and scattered his wares from the top to the bottom. _ She laughed and told him how it was. , “Oh, Tim threw him out, eh? Give me your hart: old “man,” and the two shook hands. “These are all my girls in here, and you are to take good care of them, you understand!” “Yes,” and Tim nodded. his head affirmatively; “but it’s a ot. of girls for one chap ‘to have.” f iy Yea: so it is; but they are all good girls, and they are yours when t am not here.” “Gosh! | Send in some more fellows for me to throw ont.” _ “Don’t throw out anybody till Miss Tessie tells you to. You Wane ey boy in the right Pi f ‘ Tim rushed at the peddler, baeehe him round the waist, all around. OF BARTON’S other party, To his surprise he found wa Glenn had sent a friend to him with it. : “Oh, that’s the trap he has been talking so nae about: eh?” Alex said to himself, “Well, I'll see about it. It’s 0. & D. stock. Ill find out about it.” He went to the New York office of the company and made inquiries. The stock was selling for 67, and there were but 14,000 shares out. The balance—16,000—was owned by the iF management. One man had 9,000 shares. He got his address. Another had 1,000, and still another had 4,000. Alex quietly bought them all up, and put them in his safe. A few days later he met Glenn in a party of brokers in Dubois’ office. “T am looking for O. & D. shares,” he said to Dubois, you got any?” “No. How many do you want?” “All I can get.” “What are you giving for it?” Glenn asked him. “Sixty-eight cold cash.” “Give me an order for 10,000 shares at that 8 ahd orn get ~ for yon: i “Have : Des 10,000 shares within ten days at 68.” , ; rt “Very good. Draw up the contract.” ; Dubois’ bookkeeper drew up the contract and Alex ous Bae $10,000 with Dubois as a clincher. Then he straightway went to Blaisdell and instructed, him to buy 0. & D. stock, offering 68, 69, 70, and so on up to 100 on the floor of the Exchange. ‘ iP Glenn set out to get the stock. : y To his amazement nota share could be had, It went up up till it got to 90. He met Glenn in the street, “How about 0; & D.?” he asked him, py have two more days yet.” “Are you waiting for it to go up to par?” “No. I am waiting for it to go down again.” “Do you intend to pay if it does not?” : “Wait and see.” ; His coolness rattled Alex. : loaded mae: another hohe at 90. Glenn bought 10,000 at 90 and delivered to Alex at 68, lo ; $220,000 under the contract. Alex immediately sold them again at 891-2, thus making over a half million on the deal He showed Dubois the figures, and soon all ee the tune of $220,000. ip _ Glenn’ was in a rage. Daa tialae All the brokers were. laughing at him tin the ork. The stock tumbled and a small-sized panic ensued Stock Exchange. ’ a CHAPTER XIX. Be alee THE BLIND POOr. 3) Broker Glenn was the sorest man in Wall street w learned the truth about the deal in O. & D. stock. big sum of money is always hard to bear, but whe nt the who street joins in the laugh against, the loser, 1 it becomes doubly eyen ‘with that boy if it took ten years. Py ei Tessie heard about, ME: mad abe ad sae Al, him: ; yaa
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THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. “Oh, you eaiekeed him, too!” “Me! How?” “Your husband was in the deal, and you’ve ia some of the ' money.” “Why, Alex!” and she dropped into a chair and stared up at him. “I—I didn’t know it!” “Well, you know it now. I have deposited $20,000 to your credit at your banker’s.” “Alex! Alex! Oh, my!” and she covered her face with her hands. She was almost speechless with joy. It was a : happy moment for him, for he worshiped her, He stood thera - looking down at her. Finally she looked up at him and said: i “It will all come back to you some day.” “Not a penny of it,” he replied. “Give it to your mother. E She is a good-looking widow and may want to marry again. I’ve just given my mother a $70,000 house and $30, 000 in cash, Give the widows a chance.” - She smiled through her tears, and would have said some . sweet things to him but for the girls at the other end of the room. Her heart was in a: flutter all the day over the good _ fortune that had come to her. Alex stood near her desk for And many a loving smile he got, uw half an hour watching her. too. Suddenly Babcock, the old bookkeeper, came to the door and called him out. He promptly followed him out into the corri- : dor. ; “Mr, Comak is in the office waiting to see you,” the old man - said to him. _ “Ah! T’ll see him at once, then,” and he hastened to meet _ the old banker. “Pardon me,” he said, bowing low on entering the little Office, “I had just stepped in to the typewriters.” * “Yes, a beautiful typewriter interferes with business very often,” laughed the old banker. “They never interfere with me,” Alex replied. “You do the interfering yourself, eh?” and the banker * nudged him merrily. ; ? “I guess that’s the case. I am not as busy as they are,” _. “You can afford to g0 slow now that you have pretty near all of Glenn’s money.” “I’ve made all I need for expenses for some time to come. Glenn was itching to force his money on me, and so I had to take it.” E “Well, are you tied up in a. Way—financially?” Comak asked. é “No, sir—not just now. Why?” “T want you to chip in and join a blind pool.” “What for?” “To control a rahul stock. We want $10, 000, 000, Have 00,000. How much can you put’ in?” Alex Jooked just a bit. mystified. could put in a million,” he said, “but I’d deus to know all a bout it before I did.” “Its a blind pool,” and Comak shook his head. “Nobody Ce know even the name of the stock save the operator, “guarantee fifty per cent in thirty days.” mares Seg keep out of that, sort of Festi remarked Alex. PR ee PS Ss “Why do you work in ‘that way?” c use secrecy is absolutely necessary, When only one | aj Biay ne knows ‘the secret we can hold -him pesHonslble re Ate , BR is fase for je i | man. We). shyly up at him. simply place your money in my hands for me to invest at my own discretion. It-is simply a question of confidence in me.” “That’s all right, then, I’ll put in $250,000.” “Oh, double that,” said the banker. Alex shook his head. “T was never in such a thing before and don’t like to risk any more, I am only a boy—a little lamb, you know.” Comak laughed, took the check and went out. At the door he met the three Babcock girls. They were. coming to see their father.” “Hello!” he exclaimed in a fatherly way. sisters, Alex?” “No, sir—wish they were,” Alex replied, laughing. are Mr. Babcock’s daughters. \ Aren’t they beauties?” “Oh, you horrid boy!” eried all three in a chorus. ' Then he introduced the banker to each of them. He shook hands with them in a pleased way, saying he was glad to meet three such rosebuds in one group. “Oh, my!” exclaimed Josie, the youngest and most vivacious of the three. “All the Wall street men are alike, They flatter the girls, and——” “Oh, he doesn’t mean to flatter you. He’s a rich widower with millions in bank and nobody to love him.” Comak laughed heartily, the girls almost screamed with merriment, and Alex shut the door to keep the banker among them for a few minutes, Babcock came in from the rear room and joined them. “Babcock, you are blest,” Comak said, extending his hand to the old bookkeeper. “If I had them in my house I would call my home a heaven on earth.” “You can’t have but one of them,” said Alex, “but you can have the first choice.” _ The girls laughed, blushed and declared him too saucy for anything. “Can I have my choice, Babcock?” Comak asked of the old bookkeeper. “Yes—if the chosen one is satisfied,” he replied, laughing. “Well, then, all of you go out to dinner with me an hour — from now, and I’ll make a choice—if you girls are willing.” The three sisters were thunderstruck. They looked Bia ee him, at Alex and then at their father. “T’ve been a widower several years,” the banker explained, “and have had no time to do any courting. The sight of these sweet faces reminds me that I ought to have one in my own home. I don’t know which one I want. If you girls willagree 4 to it I will make a choice after the dinner, marry her within a week and give her carriages, horses, servants and $10,000 a year pin money. Then I'll do my best to make her happy. What say you, girls?” Reh “Oh, my! What must we say, father?* the eldest of the 2 girls asked, turning to her father. “Lord bless me, child!” exclaimed Babcock. “He is a 00d oy I’ve known him more years than, you have lived. eect “Are these your “They yes if he asks any one of you to marry him.” “Of course we will,” cried Josie, laughing and Hangin “T think old men’s darlings are the happiest | wives in the world.” ars Comak looked ermilingly at her chucked her under the chin and said: : M “You are a esicek little angel. ee j “Of course I am—the sweetest ‘in the lot.” They laughed merrily, and Alex exclaimed: “Well, rm jiggered!” See ai. fe
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26 ; THAT BOY OF BARTON’S.: a ee oe “Why, he isn’t ugly!” cried Josie, striking him with her fan. “Don’t ask me,” and he laughed again. “She is cute enough : _*No good man is ever ugly!” _ to keep him blind as long as he lives. I say, Tessie, I’m in a 4 “You are right—I beg your pardon, Mr, Comak. She has | blind pool to the tune of a quarter of a million. Keep an eye ~ spoken a great truth. No good man is ever ugly.” : open for any pointers on cornering of stock, I am in the dark — Comak caught her by the arm, drew her\to him, put an arm | about it.” ‘ : about her waist, and looked up at her father. “Why did you go in so deep?” “Babcock,” he said, “I want this little girl. Will you give] “Just because I had faith in him, Guess I'll never do it her to me?” again,” and he shook his head. “Yes, if she so desires,” replied the old bookkeeper. She laughed, and remarked that she might have to stake “Little girl, will you be my wife—an old man’s darling?” | him some day yet. sa ‘ Josie was in a tremor.: She could not speak for a minute} “@yess not,” heereplied. “I am going to salt down a hal ; or so, for she was like one in a trance. Her two sisters gazed.| million where it will be safe.” ' at her with anxiety plainly depicted in their faces. “Whew! Have you got so much?” “Yes,” she finally said, and then the two sisters flew at her,| “@yegs I have.” embraced and kissed her, followed ‘by their father. At his own home that evening he told Irene of the match- ; “See here,” said Alex, “this is the biggest deal I ever made. | making he had done down at the office. She laughed gleefully ’ What’s my commission?” and said: “Oh, we'll let you go with us to dinner,” laughed the banker. “You are good at that: You Pacis my eieldenseen by you impudence, and I have forgiven you for it, too.” fe She was to marry in a week from that Srouiee, and he an Tessie were to stand up with her. A few days later he discovered that a certain stock was CHAPTHR XX. ALEX BUYS MORE STOCK. ‘Dede at Delmonico’s the brokers stared at Comak and the - three pretty girls, They knew him, Babcock and Barton’s boy slowly rising in the market. He tried to find out who Ww well enough, but had never seen*the girls before. Some buying, but failed. _ thought they were Alex’s ‘sisters and cousins, but one said he “Guess that’s the blind pool,” ‘he sald. “At any rate, T — did not havo but one sister. They little dreamed of the going to own some of it.” romance of that little gathering. During the meal Josie eyed Alex wistfully. She had been paldc ; boasting to her sisters that she would capture him, and now _ fate had willed otherwise. Her brain was in a whirl. Had Alex whispered to her that he wanted her himself she would have backed out of her engagement to the old man. ' ‘None of them dreamed that he was already engaged. The dinner was.a pleasant affair. «The old banker whispered. ‘ to Josie that he would send her an engagement ring that evening, and when she got it she was: to name the day she would become his wife, adding: “And you must not keep me waiting more than a fortnight.” The dinner over, the party returned to Alex’s office—except the old banker, Once more in the office the girls let their tongues run, and the clatter was a jolly one. Alex laughed, over his exploit as a matchmaker, and offered his services to the other two sisters. “T waht 10,000 shares of O. & H. stock. Can you eet th for me?” yas “Guess I can. There’s quite a demand for it suet, no They were bought that day, and they cost $72 a share. § uch a gale sent the stock up to 74 in an hour or two. ce The man who was buying for the blind pool was Bok kn tir of the silent force at work behind it. The quietness was I broken. A mad seramble for the stock began, and, as_ but fe shares could be had, it went up with great bounds. He met Comak on the street and said: “O. & H, is going up like a rocket. Is that the blind | é 9” “Wxcuse me,” said the eldest one. “The man I marry must wigus do some courting. There isn’t any fun in engagements with- | “Oh, no. I.want to ask you, though, if va be doing 6 ‘ut. courtship.” thing against my own interest by buying 0. & H.?” : “Oh, courtship can go on just the same after marriage,” | “Of course not. Buy all you want to,” and the old remarked Father Babcock. “Mr. Comak will be an ardent | chuckled as he gave the advice. “Guess wou can’t find lover all the time, and that will add to the happiness of mar- | Shares on the market just now.” Fe * ried life.” ; “Well, T'll see, anyhow. ,What’s the matter wit | the “Tf Tam not uae {shall néver forgive you,” Joste daid to |anyway?” ote ale Alex, “for this is all your doing.” “There’s a great demand POT Atte Set Sea rae “No, no! You did it yourself, You flirted outrageously | “Yes, but what caused it?” ‘with him, and he just surrendered on the spot.” “Don’t aoaaiae and the banker gave a hes) oft The girls laughed and prepared to go home with their father, Alex went in to see Tessie and tell her about it as soon as “the three sisters were gone. The pretty typewriter was in a flutter of excitement over the incident. 3 “He had roped me into a blind. pool just a few minutes be- - fore they came in,” he said to her, “and I guess I got even Oa him, ” and he laughed and chuckled as he made the re-) 1 When the 10,000 shares were ‘dumped ‘on the poo lowed. A scene of wild Pee ensued such In ten. pitutes thd ‘stock was! apis ago ‘Acores. of brokers | “Do ‘you eall t Ki It's. tsa pool, though, I guess.” z : ergy tit 5 ; a Aye
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ee THAT BOY OF BARTON'S. that the blind pool was a failure—that a slight loss had re-| thousand dollars is all I have left in the world except the sulted from the investment. “What was the investment?” Broker Truman asked at the meeting of the members of the pool. “O. & H.,” was the reply. Alex gave a long whistle. “What’s the matter?” Comak asked. “Nothing—nothing at all,” was the reply. “Did you dump that 40,000 shares on us?” Gomak asked. “T did.” Every man sprang up and glared at him. “You played us false!” hissed a broker. “How did 1?” Alex demanded very promptly. blind pool. I knew nothing about it.” “How came you to buy the stock?” “T saw it going up.and bought heavily—just as any wise man would have done. Did you know what the pool was , doing?” “No,” said the broker. € : “Neither did I, It is now in order for you to take back the charge that I played false.” “Yes, I think so, too,” said Comak. “He knew nothing about it. I guess he is the only one who made any money out of the ~ deal.” “T pledge you my word that I shall never again invest a dollar in @ blind pool,” Alex sung out as the meeting broke up. “It was a CHAPTER XXI. THE WIDOW BRADY AGAIN. - It soon leaked out that Barton’s boy had busted up a blind pool in which he was a member himself. The entire street guffawed over it, and Banker Comak was - guyed unmercifully. He laughed over it himself, saying: ~ “You can never tell what that boy will do next. That was something any other man might have done just as innocently as he did. He scooped a big pile out of it, and we lost very = little, I think the laugh is worth the money.” “Tt certainly was worth it to him,” remarked Truman, who id not feel very happy over it. “I am like him. I won’t go into any more blind pools.” ' Alex was now looked upon as one of the factors that could 3 ‘not be ignored in Wall street. He met with uniform good luck, and all the brokers were his friends—except Glenn. ‘Meyers and Irene were married at the set time, and went off on a tour to last three weeks. A week later Comak startled the street by marrying the youngest daughter of Babcock, ‘Barton’s old bookkeeper. All society was astonished, for he was a millionaire, very old and weighed 270 pounds. She S but eighteen years old, petite and beautiful. Alex and ef eldest sister stood up with them. The next day after the wedding Alex was amazed at see- Mrs. Brady enter his office. He sprang to his feet white . sa Sheet, and wondered what he should do if she began hos- _ tilities, as he did not happen to have any more of his wonder- I berfumety. ze house I live in. I want you to use it for me and——” Alex shook his head. “Sure now, I'll be good and give you no trouble at all;” she pleaded. “Would I trouble you when I know you could kill me dead by drawing a cork? Oh, I’ll do just as you tell me. Only use my money for me as you use your own and I'll be satisfied.” ay “But I am not doing that for anybody, ma’am,” he pro-. tested, “I am simply “doing business for myself. Should I> take your money you would think I had stolen it, and would bother me as you did the others.” “No, no! T’'ll sign anything you want me to, and follow every instruction you give me, Ah, there’s Tim, my nevvy. . He works for the typewriters.” oe “Hello, Aunt Brady!” greeted Tim, the new messenger, coming in at that moment. “Is she your aunt, Tim?” Alex asked in no little surprise. “Sure,” replied Tim, “and I’m afther waiting for her to die in the hope of getting some of her money.” “Oh, the blackguard!” gasped the aunt, laughing. “Sure, — and he’s the only one as will tell the truth. I'll leave him enough to set him up in business if he stays honest.” “She wants me to use her money for her, — Alex said. “But I am afraid she’ll make trouble for me.” “She is more afraid_of the likes of you than of ould Satan an’ all his angels,” Tim replied. “She’ll give you no trouble at all, at all.” / “Then I'll see what I can do for you, Mrs, Brady. But you. must sign receipts and obey all orders.” =e “Tll do as you say.” : . “Well, leave the money and I’ll receipt for it, Then you must not come here till I send for you. If you do I'll give up and quit. Do you agree to that?” : “Yes.” “Very well,” and in a few minutes the business was done and she left her check for the money. In a day or two it leaked out that Mrs. Brady was a client of his. Then the brokers laughed and joked about it. Some : of them came in to see him about it. He laughed with them, - — and said she would give him no trouble whatever. as “Why, she’ll clean out. your office inside of a week,” said Truman. ¢ : “Maybe she will, but she will run out into the street and gasp for breath if she does,” he replied. “I’ve got some of Glenn’s cologne yet.” — coleyets The entire street waited to hear of the commencement of hostilities. But days and weeks passed, and she never ap- peared at all. Some of the brokers wondered at it, atid one asked him what had become of her. : ' “She’s up at her home, IT guess,” he repitea; “and won't Me come down till T send for her.” “The deuce!’ How is that?” “Oh, I told her I wouldn’t love her any more if she botfierea me, and that settles a woman’ every time.” That set the street to giggling. They talked and Jaughed | and waited. Other weeks passed, and stocks went up and . down as speculation ebbed and flowed. One day she came down, and the brokers in the building: heard of it. They were on the lookout for a row. 3 But she Was happy, and smiled when she came out. Alex had doubled her money, and she had come away with a thou-. * sand dollars for her own use, oe the balanics. with him eat got the best of me | ¢ cies and nisidia the whole city. laugh at me. It| 8 ar te
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2B THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. have better luck than anyone else in Wall street. please invest it for me?” She was pretty, but a great flirt. Alex saw through it. It was the old man’s money, and she was using it as an excuse to come to the office and talk with him. He smiled and said he would do the best he could for her, but that she should not say she did not expect ever to marry. “I may play the same trick on you I played on Josie,” remarked. Se “Well, I hope you won’t get me an old man, then, for I just won't have him.” “Not if he ‘is rich?” “No—even though he owned all the money in Wall street,” she replied. ~ “Good! I like that, I'll look out for a good-looking young man for you.” “You just let that alone and look after the money. Make _ mne-rich and young men will hunt me up. I am not out after - a husband,” and she laughed merrily as she made the remark, He took the money and put it into the safe, saying he would “i do his best to make something for her. When she was gone ‘ the old bookkeeper came to him and said: “Nellie begged me so hard for that money I had to give it to her. I hope she won’t give you any trouble about it. She has such unbounded faith in your good luck she would not . hesitate to place all she has in the world in your hands.” y “Well, I hope I will have good luck with her money,” “So do I. She could not be made to believe otherwise.” ., *That’s the trouble. Women are all so sanguine they never ‘see the risks they run. I heard Mr. Barton say so one day. P They expect to win every time, and when they lose they never forgive the poor broker.” “You are right. It’s a pity they ever come to Wall wineek: I don’t gée how you had the nerve to take Mrs. Brady’s check. She’ll be sure to make trouble for you.” “T don’t think she will give me any trouble at all. I have proven it to her satisfaction that I can lick her without a fight, and so she won’t try to make any trouble for me.” The old man laughed and said he didn’t know but what he _ was right. Yet he was the only one see the street who could | manage her. Nellie came over ‘once a week and talked with him. Some- times her mother came with her. They both were so very attentive to him he really thought of telling them of his en- gagement to: Tessie. _ By and by he saw a chance to put het money up on a margin for her. To his amazement the stock dropped, and the last dollar of it. was. wiped out, He didn’t let the old ‘bookkeeper j know ‘it, but covered it with his own money. Won't you We the loss. good. “But V’ll never take another woman on my “ pooks, Were she a man, I’d show him the deal and let him bear the loss.” ; When another chance came he had better luck. Her $5,000 was turned over’ three ‘times, and made her $15, 000. That _-yery day she came in with her mother, and was told the news. re ny knew you could do it,” she said. “I never once had any loubt about it. and just knew that something was going to come of “it. v “What did you dream?” he asked. Am + he |- _ “Glad I didn’t go in deep,” he said to himself, as he made. I was dreaming about you all night long, | fils couldn't tell you. that,” * and she hid her ‘tace be-' ‘ “What is it, father?” to him. “Mr. Comak is dead!” cried Nellie, springing up and running CHAPTER XXII. A FRIEND IN NEED. The telegram was from Josie to her father, Mr. Comak he been taken suddenly iil that morning? and his family physician was sent for. It was heart trouble, and in a couple of hot TS” the rich old banker was dead. She was a widow seven months after marriage. i Nellie uttered a little scream when her father told. her the news, and Alex ran to her to conduct her to a seat. “What is it?” he asked of Babcock, after seating Nellie. “Mr. Comak is dead!” "4 “The deuce! He dropped off very sudden.” — “Yes. We had not heard that he was ailing.” Nike “Poor Josie! It’s an awit blow to her! » “Mr. Babcock, you must take Miss Nellie up there,” said, “and if I can be of any service let me know, and coat. Alex dong Tim out for a carriage for ae, gs “Tt’s perfectly awful, coming so sudden,” remarked “" as she #O8E to go. ; back. “Have you heard the news?” he asked her. “No; what is it?” My a “Banker Comak is dead.” j Set “Oh, my! When did he die?” “Just a few minutes ago. His widow iis father. Her sister was in and nearly fainted when st tae “Tt was sudden, “Yes, She is a rich widow now, Josie.’ ie nouncement, for the hanes held heavy investments it The sig 4! was soon over, ond the business mek ) fore. Alex attended the funeral on account of the soy office of his lawyers the day after the funeral. valued at four millions. pete young wane got the former wife. “That was a big haul for the little gi” 2 ase Ales when he heard of it, | “Yes, indeed. I wonder if aha erleves fort : “YT don’t know. He was very, kind to deyote all “igo time to him.” the death of the ‘eater Alex: noticed him what the trouble was. As ars Saget “No trouble at all,” her
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THAT BOY OF BARTON’S. et ee re arene nar ere oe or anne cnr an seen aneee TWGveneta ain Se pee ee PSs ogee “Let me see you a moment or two, Alston,” Dubois said, leading the way into the little office, Alex went in with him. “Yam in a deal that calls for more money than I have at command,” the broker said to him in a half whisper. “I didn’t dream I'd have to put in so much. I want $100,000 to save $200,000 already in. Can you let me have it? I have nothing to put up but the money in the deal.” “Then I’ll have to let you have it without security. “Yes, save my honor.’ “That will do. I never did such a tthe | before, put I believe in you,” and he gave his check for $100,000. Dubois thanked him and hastened away with it. The next day. his failure was announced in the Stock Ex- change, with heavy liabilities, Alex was in for it. “They say you let him have a check for $100,000 only yes- terday,” Broker Truman said to him, “Is it true?” videaga” “Are you secured?” Eri INO. _ “What! No security?” “Not a penny. I let him have it as a friendly act.” ““Well,.you can find plenty of that sort in Wall street.” “No doubt of that. . Dubois is honest and some day I’l] ét- it back with cee ae - “But they are all saying there is ec erator erooked about his § failure.” “Well; it will take some pretty plain proof of it to make me feve it, If Mr. Dubois wants assistance he can have it of lim and said: “We hear that you have said that you believed in Dubois’ onesty and squareness, though your loss-is greater than any e else. Is it true?” is true. I am out $100, 000 by his failure, ° stake him fab another $100,000 if he wants it, ying: j ‘He ig the only one in Wall street who would do such a g. But he is able to do it, and that makes a hig difference. e United States.” When Dubois heard it he went. to Alex and said: “They tell me you have not lost confidence in me. y that your confidence was not misplaced. m istake, that’s all.” : did go myself not long ago,” Alex replied... chance come to me and let me know what it is, “back on a friend. How about your office?” ave a two years’ lease on it yet, but don’t sisal that I an keep it. The rent is high.” “Keep it and stick to your work, Tl back you.” “Tears dimmed the broker’s eyes as he grasped Alex's ’s hand. r ‘said more, and so they parted. : T never debt. Many ‘brokers said harsh things about him. IT am willing eall again, I never | record of his use of her money, she read it over carefully, paid i his commission and wanted to leave it all| with him. a Babcock BhOok his head whet he heard ‘it from a friend, | buy real estate, That will be safe. lost you would have the property. Never risk all your money in anything.” would rather have him for a ‘friend than the President of I es a a fatal “When you~ Ww ‘days Ais affairs were settled. . He was left nearly t is ‘the case When a man goes “under in any business, ndlord. called on him to know about the rent of the | he had probably! been making love to her. The street was astounded, Some of. those who had abused him most called to congratulate him. He smiled and said: “J don’t wish your congratulations. was down, I can never forget that.” Truman was one who had said some hard things about him, for he had lost $20,000 by him. Dubois sent a check for the amount to him. He acknowle edged the receipt of it and congratulated him. - , He sent the acknowledgment back by the messenger, with the request that he send a receipt without any congratulations, Truman was worried, but did as he requested. “Dubois feels very sore over the way he was treated after his failure,” Alex said to him. “I am the only man in the street who believed in him at the time.” You hit me when f£ CHAPTER XXIII, CONCLUSION. Time wore on and the deals in stocks went on continupusien in Wall street.. Alex kept very quiet all the time, but keeping an eye open for a chance to make a deal, Tessie and her type- writers kept busy, but no news of value passed through their hands, By an accident Alex picked up a tip one day, and invested heavily in it. He used the Widow Brady’s money and all that Nellie Babcock had placed with him. It turned out splendidly and he sent a note to the widow to call at the office. She came down dressed in her best and was as quiet and demure as a young schoolgirl. The other brokers in the build- ing heard she was there and came in to hear the row. She. knew them all and smiled as she greeted them. “T am glad you came in,” she said. “I put $10,000 me the boy’s hands, and now it’s $60,000. He is the only honest broker in Wall street. He would not rob a woman,” That scattered them. They left in haste, saying they would — She laughed, and when Alex showed her the “No—just leave $10,000,” he said. “Take the rest of it and “T’ll do just what you tell me to,” she repited: me to buy a car-load of monkeys I'd do it.” “Tf you tell x { “Well, I won’t tell you to do that. Just look: about for good — property to put your money in, and be sure you don’t pay ites I want ; more than it is worth.” y vee “You give me more good advice than any man I ever met,” i she laughed, “and I am going to follow it to the very letter, a. ave and she left, smiling like a young girl, to the very great ase tonishment of the brokers in the building. They rushed in to i | see him as soon as she was gone. 1! “How do you manage her?” one asked. | “Hasy enough,” he replied. a “But how? We have all failed with her.” ue “Do you expect me to give you my secret? Not ieee: bt want to keep the old girl myself, ‘ They said he was a marvel for luck, and one hinted that ‘ “She'll kill you yet, ” said one. : ee | “Baht” and he laughed. If the $10,000 should be | - you only knew you’d all plot to steal her away zon 4 me. I ang They roared with laughter, and Alex Jolabd! in with shiny nie
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fpont of the office in a coach with liveried driver and footman and tripped upstairs to his office. She was more beautiful than ever. Alex arose and welcomed her cordially. “You have been the cause of all my good fortune,” she said to him as she extended her gloved hand., “And I have come to you for more of the same sort.” “What! Do you want me to’ get you another husband? You never paid me my commission for the first one yet.” “Oh, you horrid boy! I don’t mean that at all,” and she dropped into his office chair, and took complete possession of the entire office. “Well, then, tell me how I can help you, and if I can do so T will.” “T want you to take some of my bonds, sell them and use the money for me till fT have a million dollars, I want just / one million to put in bonds, and then I'll never risk another dollar in anything.” She looked at him and smiled in her innocent way. thought her very beautiful. Said he: “T can tell you a better way than that—and a safer one.” “How?” and she looked up at him with a trusting innocence of expression in her face. “Marry a man with ten millions.” “Oh, my! Who is the man?” “T haye no one in mind just now, but there are plenty of them who would gladly lay their fortunes at your feet. You are beautiful—very beautiful, and growing more beautiful every day.” “Oh, what an awful flatterer!” she laughed. “But I don’t Want to marry another old man. I’d rather you’d make a half million for me and then I’d set my cap for a young man—a very young man—not a day older than myself.” Tessie Craig heard she was in there and could not keep out. They were acquainted. Had dined together before Josie mar- _Wied the old banker. But now, though she met her face to face, Josie ‘did not recognize the typewriter. Tessie wore a smile On her face and went out after getting something she had come for, Alex smiled also, for he saw that her good fortune had turned Josie’s head. The fair young widow went. away, Alex escorting her down to her carriage, leaving an order for $100,000 worth of bonds behind her. A number of brokers dropped in to find out who she was. They were surprised on learning that she was Banker Comak’s widow. Alex sold the bonds and Aenoetied the money in bank, to keep in readiness for instant use when needed, Days, weeks and months passed and no good chance occurred for the use ‘of it. She drove down to Wall street about once a week and spent an hour in the office. Her father being there, disarmed comment, One, and sometimes two of her sisters came with her, and their presence generally created a little sensation in _ the building, He At last Alex got a chance to use her money. He got a tip of | a big corner, and when the stock began to go up he had a} ‘million up in margins. When it was oyer, Josie Comak ‘had made $150,000, Nellie Babcock, $55,000, Tessie Craig, $70,000 ~ and Mrs. Brady, $35,000, besides $300,000 for himself. - The last deal added so much to his prestige as a successful speculator in stocks that hundreds of men.and women sought him, and pleaded with him to buy and sell for them. Alex gid not want to do that sort of business, and ‘so told them. One day Tim, the messenger boy in the office, said to him: wee ‘know a chance to tnaiee some tO ee in a Hon: and lot ap ‘in Harlem.” re hear ie: it is,” Alex rete THAT ae OF BARTON’S. Her father met her at the door and kissed her.. it, four doors west of where she was living. He knew that the owner wanted to sell, so he went to him to ask him hi ; price. The man wanted $23,000 for it. aes “A difference of $4,000," said Alex, “T’ll see about it, and if there is any money in it I'll divide with you.” After a week he bought it for $22,000 cash. The contractor offered $25,000, Alex demanded $30,000, but finally got $26,000. He gave Tim $2,000, and the boy was almost beside himself with joy. He had now been nearly two years with Alex, an was nineteen years old, He was engaged to Sadie McGuire one of the typewriters, who was two years older than hi Tessie had found it out, and told Alex about it, saying: — “They are both saving every penny for the future. fell in —- with him the day he threw the peddler down stairs.” “How many more are engaged?” “Wour of them—and all to clerks in the office. ie He laughed and said it was funny; so did she. : “Well, I am tired of waiting for you,” he remarked. “We are both old enough to marry. Let's set a day next month and hitch?” She agreed, and both kept the seeret. They simply went to- a minister and were married, The announcement was made the next day, and quite a sensation followed. Alex sent an to Babcock to: run the ‘office himself for a week. “He: be Tessie spent that time traveling in the South. ; When he returned he received no end of congratilatio But the Babcock girls never called at the office again. peas sk fair young widow transferred her pie ee to another bro) One day Alex said to Tim: “You are engaged to Sadie, Let me know ‘when, you are ready to marry and T’ll set you up.” ; Tim laughed and whispered back to him: ; “The divil a bit could we wait. We’ve been married four months already.” Alex laughed heartily and shook. hands’ with him, He a bled his salary and put Sadie in charge of the type i department, edagiises enh, on as piece gee Alex grew a his shrewdness he sometimes got Banas: “Phat: mous nearly all the brokers in their career. He generally though, because he was patient enough to wait for instead of trying to boom stocks and forcing chances, old brokers declared him to be either the’ brightest or els luckiest dealer they ever knew. He kept his own cou lL did his own thinking, and on that plan he made an im: fortune. To-day he has a happy home uptown, wit children to romp with of evenings. Tessie is the happiest o mothers; and Mrs. Alston ig still a widow, preferring to live with her children and grandchildren, Yet with all hi and social position he is still spoken of by old W. men as “That Boy of Barton’s.” THE END. Read “LOST IN THE BLIZZARD; or, THE SNO SCHOOLBOYS,” by. Howard Austin, which will” number (460) of “Pluck and Linck. iY , es are ine in print. i. you. : sake ob newsdealer, send the price in money mail to PRANK TOUSEY, PU 5. | SQUARE NEW ORK, and you will rece!
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These Books Tell You Everything! | 4 COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! : Bach book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper,in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover. mentioned. & 5 MESMERISM. No. 81. HOW TO MESMHERIZH.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all. kinds. of diseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo ‘Hugo Koch, A. ©. S., author of “How to Hypnotize,” ete, PALMISTRY. No, 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- proyed methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A, ©. 8. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. “No. 88. HOW TO HYPNOTIZH.—Containing valuable and in- structive information regarding the science of hypnotism, Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S. ee SPORTING. No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published, It contains full in- uctions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, gether with descriptions of game and fish, ,_ No, 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully ilustrated. Bvery boy should know ‘how to row. and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with. in- structions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSH.— complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipes for for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes | the most popular manner of sailing them. Wully illustrated. ©, Stansfield Hicks. : : : FORTUNE TELLING. No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DRBAM BOOK.— Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true mean- f almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, nd curious games of cards. A complete book. oy 23. HOW TO PXPLAIN DRWAMS.—~Everybody dreams, rom the little child to the aged man and woman, ‘his little book | the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky ‘and unlucky days, and “Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES,—Byveryone is desirous of wing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or , wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little Buy one and be conyinced. Tell your own fortune. ‘Tell rtune of your friends, : f 76. HOW TO THLL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.— ntaining rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events id of moles, marks, scars, etc. Illustrated, By A. Anderson. ‘ ATHLETIC. No, 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.—Giving full in- ook. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self-defense made easy. us thout an instructor. } jet fo. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.—Oontaining full tions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. cing thirty-five illustrations. dy and useful book. ae : Cue. 34. HOW TO FERNCE.—Containing: full instruction for ing and the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. bed with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best ions in fencing. A complete book. - o #8 Nps ae Bx ‘Anderson, | Also full directions for its use and for nd healthy by following tho instructions contained By Professor W. Macdonald. Most of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any child can thoroughly understand them. look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about the subjects THESE BOOKS ARP FOR SAL BY ALL NEWSDBHALERS OR WILL RE SHNT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICH ON RECHIPT OF PRICE, REN CENTS BACH, OR ANY THRHE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONBY, Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—En- bracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with il- lustrations. By A. Anderson. No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.— Uontaining deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurors, and magicians. Arranged for home amusement. Fully illustrated. No, 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of i¢ and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading ca) tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this bock, as it will both amuse and instruct. No, 22, HOW TO DO SHCOND SIGHT,—Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The o: authentic explanation of second sight. F No. 43, HOW TO BECOMH A MAGICIAN,—Containing the grandest assortment of magical illusions ever p before the public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. Ae No, 68. HOW TO DO CHIMICAL TRICKS.—Containing over one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals, By A. Anderson. Jdandsomely illustrated, 9 No. 69, HOW TO DO SLUIGHT OF HAND.—Containing over fifty of the latest and best tricks used by magicians. contain- ing the seeret of second sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderso} No. 70. HOW TO MAK MAGIC TOYS.—Containing f directions for making. Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. , By, A. Anderson. Wully illustrated, : No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.—Sho many curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. By Fully illustrated. No. 75. HOW TO _BECOMH A. CONJUROR. — Containing tricks with Dominos, Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, etc. HWmbracing thirty-six illustrations. By A. Anderson. 4 No. 78. HOW TO DO THE BLACK ART.—Containing & com- plete description of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, teuetiee oo many wonderful experiments. By A. Anderson. ustrated, MECHANICAL. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVHNTOR.—Hvery boy should know how inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, ete. The most instructive book published. _ No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINHER.—Containing full instructions how to proceed in order to become a locomotive en- gineer; also directions for building a model locomotive; together with a, full description of everytaly an eaeneer should know. No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.—Full directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Afolian Harp, Xylo~ phone and other musical instruments; together with a brief de scription of nearly every musical instrument used in ancient or modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algernon 8S. Fitzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines. ia No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIO LANTERN.—Containing) a description of the lantern, together with its history and invention. painting slides. Handsomely illustrated. By John Allen, PA No. 71. HOW. TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.—Oontaining — complete instructions for performing over sixty, Mechanical Tricks. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. We ete LETTER WRITING. ats No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.—A most com- plete little book, containing full directions for writing love-letters, — and when to use them, giving specimen letters for young and old. — No. 12. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS TO LADIES.—Giving
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THE STAGE. No, 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.—Containing fouf® No. 41. THN BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE teen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become — ‘BOOK —Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the]? good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from ‘most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without all the popular authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most ~ this wonderful little book. simple and concise manner possible. No. 42 THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPHAKER.— No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Givixug rates for conducting de @ontaining a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch bates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amuse- | S°U7CeS for procuring information on the questions given. Ment and amateur shows. SOCIETY ; No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE No. 3. H = mz ey oats ‘ fo AND JOKE Lage Resend new san d very instructive. Every pie eebinteee Rare iat vas eee arts ond tee oe ij boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it cance tains a full Jist of the language and sentiment of flowers, which ig — SAiZIng OF UEDOON'S JORUS This is one of th igi No, G5, MUL “> This is one of the most‘original see renting to everybody, both eld and young. You cannot he happy without one. foi joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It No. 4. HOW TO DANCH is the title of a new and handsor ans a ee caer an of: songs, Jokes, emundrene vi = errence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of | )../; ‘ . 2 v the day. ‘Hvery boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should littie book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instruc Buiaht a cous iimediately. tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, ‘No. 79. HOW TO BECOMB AN ACTOR.—Containing com- Hone dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular square — plete instructions how to make up for various characters on the Now ? ie j gee ‘ : aaa o. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love, — stage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette 5 Scenic Artist and Property Man. B rominent Stage Manager. : Pe : : : No. 80. GUS WILLI AMS? TOK B OK. Contaitnng the Tat: to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not gen- est jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and erally known. etd ¢ Vis pa ee ever popular German. comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the ‘ ci 2 art of dressing and appeari ll at h nd , giving the colored cover’ containing @ half-tone photo of the author. selections of isin fuatoriat and how tohave Phere ae pis thy ie HOUSEKEEPING : pe ie. aoe i Ne Be ates of th ’ rae rightest and most valuable little books ever given to the wor No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing | Hverybody wishes to know how to become peautifal, both male an full eo ie eas ots he — set rays female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book or country, an e most approved methods for raising beautifu A : d ce at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- anid be Convinced aul San beatiful shed. No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books| No, 7, HOW To Rune LE iil ns illustrated on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, | containing full instructions for the management and training of fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of| canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc pastry, and a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular} “ No, 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS POULTRY. PIGEONS | ND cooks. 5 a = ye , ? L he GW TO KOMP HOUSH:—It contains information for | PASE te pean manors eee ee A Fah trated. By Ira Drofraw. 4 everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to W " peas make almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.— Including hi y i "3 x y on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and bir brackets, cements, Aeclian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. | Aigo how to cure alana Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington : ELECTRICAL. Kee 50. HOW 'TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY.—A de- | ,juable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, moun’ ecription of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; | snq preserving airs AniMaledind isects 8, prep: 8, : together with full instructions for making Wlectric Toys, Batteries, No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MAN AGE PETS.— Giving co A cre Reagaaaag Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty il- plete information ae to the manner and jaethod of raising, keepin tustrations TOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL. MACHINES.—Con- | {20ing, breeding, ane ieee Bully ceplained by twenty-elg taining full directions for making electrical machines, induction eh ic pie eee ng Spree 2s ee ts splined 21 coils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be worked by electricity. sabHatied.. ing it the most complete book of the kind ever MISCELLANEOUS. y R. A. R. Bennett. Fully illustrated. No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a : Wo. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST. structive book, giving a complete treatise on che Ys. a large collection of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, together with illustrations. By A. Anderson. rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. EMA elit uae soe ae cme Br ‘No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILO .—By Harry | book canno’ equaled. j ; Kernedy. The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A complete han this book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences. etc. tudes every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the|, No. 54. HOW TO B COME AN AUTHOR.—Cont art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the |information regarding choice of subjects, the use of wor greatest book ever published, and there’s millions (of fun) in it. |manner of preparing and submitting manuscript. Also, cont “No, 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.—A | valuable information as to the neatness, legibility and general com- - very valuable little Lee just published. A ee Samar te pees of manuscript, essential to a successful author. By Prince © of games, sports, card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable |-Hilan = : for Rao be drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for.the| _ No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.- money than any book published. derful book, containing useful and ‘practical informatio: No, 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to book, containing the Tales and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, oy: Abounding in useful and effective recipes for gener: ~ backgammon, croquet. dominoes, ete. - plaints. i ree No, 36. HOW TO SOLVHD CONUNDRUMS.—Containing all} No 55. HOW TO COLLECT the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches '» and witty sayings. - | No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—A complete and handy little ook, giving the rules and full directions for playing Euchre, Crib- page, Casino, Forty-Five, Rounco, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours, and many other Repeat games of:cards. o. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.—Containing over three hun-|, dred interesting puzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A complete book. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson. Mise fi ETIQUETTE. No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF HTIQUETTH.—It is a great life secret, and one that every young man desires to know all about. There’s happiness in it. PGs No. 33. HOW TO BEHAVH.—Containing the rules and etiquette of good society and the easiest and most approved methods of ap- é phere to good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and Yad drawing-room. DECLAMATION. — gia HOW TU RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS. taining the most popular selections in use, comprising Dutch} _ Fren lect, | kee and Irish dialect pieces, together | on a Fev 2
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PircwvuoCcek AN D. :. Li. U Che. CONTAINS ALL SORTS OF STORIES. BEAUTIFULLY COLORED COVERS. 32 PAGES. EVERY STORY COMPLETE. i. PRICE 5 CENTS. 430 Tom Porters Search; or, The Treasure of the Mountains. By LATEST ISSUES: va Richard R. Montgomery. 396 Beyond the Aurora; ory The Search for the Magnet Mountain. | 431 ‘through Smoke and Flame; or, The Riyal Firemen of Irvington. By Berton Bertrew. By Bx-Fire- Chiet Warden, 3897 SN pcan Skulls; or, The Secret City of Siam. By Allan}. 439 gre No. ieee : The een cae og Mine, (A Story of ¢ ‘ z » ussia and Si eria.) Vv an Arno 398 Ores re a Ossie Rich and Poor Boys of Riverdale Schools. | 423 Steel Blade, the Boy, Scout gt Fort Ridgely ; or, The War Trai} A - : cs) e 899 The Twenty pe olves: or, The Wild Riders of the Moun-| 434 Prom Bhyinger to President; or, Working His Way Up. By Jas. R. i erritt 400 A New York Working Boy; or, A Fight for a Fortune. By How-| 435 Lucky Luke; or, A Bright Boy’s Career in Wall Street. By H. K. ard Austin. a Shackleford, 401 Jack the Juggler; or, A Boy’s Search for His Sister. By H. K.| 436 The Prince of the Prairie; or, The Boy Who Owned it All, By Shackleford. An Old Scout. 402 Lee mars Sone Oe The Scourge of the British Coast. By | 437 Hernats the Re Magictan ; or, On the Road With a Variety apt. Thos yilson. r i Show. By Berton Bertrew. 403 Mazeppa No. 2, the Boy Fire Company of Carlton; or, Plucky | 438 Tom Barry of Barrington; or, The Hero of No. 4. By Exfire- Work on Ladder and Line. By }Hx-Fire Chief W arden. Chief Warden. 4 404 The Blue Mask or, Vighting Against the Czar. By Allan Arnold. 439 The Spy of ahs Duyvil; or, The Boy With a Charmed Life. — 405 Dick, the Apprentice Boy; or, Bound to be an Engineer. (A By Gen. Jas. Gordon. : Story of Railroad Life.) By Jas. C. Merritt. 440 Two Yankee oye Among the Kaffirs; or, The- Search for King 406 Kit Carson, Jr., In the Wild Southwest; or, The Seareh for a Solomon's Mines. By Allyn Draper. Lost Claim. By An Old Scout. 441 The Arctic Crusoes; or, Lost at the World's End. By Howard ~ 407 The Rivals of Round Top Academy; or, Missing from School. Austin. . By Allyn Draper. 442 ep ae Pach or, The Perilous Career of a Boy Engineer. 9 5 . .? “ak i Vall Street. 3y Jas. C erri ‘ a ke ee PET gag Jack ‘Dacre's Dollar, And How He Made it Grow. By BS Oey 409 The’ Lost City of the Andes;# or, The Treasure of the Volcano. Shackietord. e - (A Story of adventures in a Strange Land.) By Richard R. Mont-| 444 ne ee eee King; or, Barnum’s Brightest Star. By Berton ; gomery. i ea oe 7 410 The Rapidan Rangers; or, General Washington's Boy Guard. (A 445 & earltee tay Biciite obiet Pe oa aes And How He Won His. Story of the American Revolution.) By Gen’l. James A. Gor-| 44g Under the Black Flag; or, The Buried Treasure of the seen Isles. By Capt. Thos, H. Wilson. don, 411 Rh Put’’; or, The Fire Boys of Brandon. By Dx-Fire Chief War- 447 The Rise of Eddie Dunn; or, The Boy: With a Silver Tongue. f 3 en. By Allan Arnold. q ad 412 Dead Game; or, Davy Crockett’s Double. By An Old Scout. or, The _ Dashing — 413 Barnum’s Young Sandow; or, The Strongest Boy in the World. By Berton Bertrew. 448 Little Lariat, Rider of the Staked Plains. The Boy Wild-Horse Hunter ; By An Old Scout. 414 Halsey & Co.; or, The Young Bankers and Speculators. By H. K.| 449 The Boy Railroad King; or, Working His Way to the Top. By , Shackleford. Jas. C. Merr'tt. te 41d Sa on3 Aloft; or, The Dashing Boy Harpooner. By Capt.| 450 Loyal to the Last; or, Fighting for the Stars and Stripes. Gen’l. James A. Gordon. By 451 Dick Decker, the Brave Young Fireman. By bined We den 452 Buffalo Charlie, the Young Hunter. (A True Story of the 1 By An Old Scout. H. Wilson. 416 the means Express; or, The Perilous Run of a Boy Engineer. Jas. C. Merritt. 417 fag) or, Climbing to the Top. (A Story,of a Bootblack’s Luck and Pluck.) By Allyn Draper. 3 k * 418 The Jron Grays; or, The Boy Riders of the Rapidan. By Gen’. an he soos oy, eee of, Peon Mele Millionaires Jas. A. Gordon. 454 Under the Turban; or, A Yankee Boy's Trip to Mecca. Allyn Draper. 455 es e Pride of the Continental Army. By Gen’, Jas. ordon 419 Money and Mystery; or, Hal Hallerton’s Tips in Wall Street. By_H. K. Shackleford. 420 The Boy Sultan; or, Searehing for a Lost Diamond Mine. By Allan Arnold. 456 The Boy Merchant; or, The Pluck and Luck of Harry Graham. 421 Edgewood No. 2: or, The Only Boy in the Fire Company. By By H. K. Shackleford. Iéx-Iire-Chief Warden. - 457 Railroad Ralph, the Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. Me ritt, 422 Lost on a Raft; or, Driven from Sea to Sea. By Captain Thos. | 458 The Boy Pilot of Lake Michigan. By Capt. Thow H; Wilson;. 459 That Boy of Barton's; or, The Luck of a Lad in ‘ By H. K. Shackleford. 423 Boe Sey Steel ; on rae Bright, the Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. 460 Lost in the Blizzard; or, The Snow-Bound.. Sch 424 Bd, ‘the é Errand Boy; ‘ory Working His Way in the World, By Howard Austin. ; ; 425 Pawitee Bill in Oklahoma ; or, F ne aac with the White Chief. By An Old Scout. 426 Percy Greville, the Scout of Valley Forgt. By Gen'l. Jas. A. Gor- " don. (A Story of the American Revo \tion.) 427 pen or Bears: or, A Bright Boy's Fight With the Brokers of Wall Street. By H. IX. Shackleford. * 428 The Dead Shot Rangers; or, The Boy Captain of the Home De- rrga omens (A Story of the American Revolution.) By Gen'l, Jas. ordon. 429 Lost in the Grassy Sea; or, Three Years in the Sargasso. By ¢ Capt. Thos H. Wilson. Ps . For sale by all newsdealers, or will be dent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents aha copy, in money or DOs | PRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, IF You WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS yu: ' libraries, and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct, in the followi { ner: Write out piainly which libraries you want, giving. the NUMBERS (not the titles ce the sae Send yo WE PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING WEEKLIES: “WILD WEST WEEKLY” “PLUCK AND LUCK” “SECRET SE “THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 6” “FAME AND FORTUNE WEEK “WORK AND WIN” “WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY” “y r ><. WHENORDERING BY MAIL 2 send a money-order or registered letter for amounts exceeding one dollar. . a sent any other way is at your | FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, tant