Life — April 25, 1907 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LIFE: Blue Monday* A Wall Street Story Up to Date T WAS one-thirty on the Stock hange. Also about that in the Senate Chamber at Washing- ton and other well-known financial headquarters. Billy Hardcastle, the young Alexander Napoleon Theodore Roosevelt of finance rolled into ‘one, stood in his broker’s office, ner- ly clutching the ticker. Louisiana Molasses Preferred was slowly going down. ‘There was a large blackboard on the wall in front of Billy, upon which a young college graduate was using what education he had left over by decorating it with figures, but Billy used the tape, because he could learn what was happening at least ten seconds sooner. That is about as far along in life as some college graduates get. They begin on a blackboard in a little red schoolhouse. By g the time they are twenty-five they have increased the size of the board to take in the side of a room. ‘They have one advantage, however, over plain literary gents. The story they tell never flags in interest Billy Hardcastle’s father was one of the biggest men in the Street, having been a personal friend of the Administration for several years. He had made almost money enough to retire into the Senate. ‘Two weeks before he had given Billy his last chance, by presenting him with a million shares of Louisiana Molasses Preferred. “Remember,” he had said, this has gone far enough. From the time you left Sunday-school I have done my best to teach you how to manipulate, but although you have gained a big reputation as a boy wonder, it has all been at my expense. ‘This is your last chance.” The truth was that Billy’s father had been secretly putting up for him, thus shielding him from a wicked world. But with the million Louisiana Molasses, Billy knew that ended it. Unless he made a big coup with this he would no longer be the boy hero of a thousand deals. He shuddered as he thought that, after all, he might have to end his days in Congress, At this moment a telegram was put in his hand. It was from Minnie Songpepper, the world-famous belle of New Orleans. This wonderful creature, though only sixteen years of age, had been queen of the Mardi Gras for five years in succession She had read one of Billy’s advertisements in the morning papers, where he had challenged the President to a duel, and * 1 hereby certify that every one of the thrilling and exciting events recorded in this wonderful story, all dictated by myself, might easily have happened if they had wanted to. If youdoubt this, sce my daily ads. in the papers.—The Unex: tinguished Author became wonderfully interested in him. Her father was presi- dent of the Louisiana Molasses Company, and she had taken the Wall Street course in a young ladies’ seminary, so she was able to talk intelligently with every politician. ‘The telegram read: “Meet me to-night at the White House, Washing- ton. I may be able to save you.” Billy glanced at the name and, although he had been born and brought up in Wall Street, his handsome face grew almost human. “Something is up,” he muttered. At this moment his broker, who had been playing bridge in a corner of the room, stepped up. “More margin,” he hissed, between his gilt-edged teeth, “or we will sell you out.” In the last ten minutes Molasses Preferred had fallen nearly fifteen points. The truth was that Billy, not satisfied with his father’s gift, and wishing to control a few more States and Territories, had been pyramiding. (See Glossary.) So that a too sudden drop in the market meant ruin. He handed the broker the telegram. “How much is that good for?” he asked. The broker bowed. “T'll stand by you until to-morrow noon,” he said. “And you will not sell me out until then?” “No.” Nodding his thanks, Billy passed out, and started for Wash- ington. It was nearly midnight when he entered the White House. It was evident by the unusual number of Railroad Presidents grouped about that something was happening. The President, who had just finished making a speech before the Liars’ Club, was dictating for the newspapers a batch of private correspondence supposed to have been published a year looked around anxiously. No signs of Minnie. At this moment a page touched him lightly on the shoulder. Mr. Hardcastle?” ‘ot quite the same, but almost.”” Follow me.” Billy followed, and in a short time found himself in the Gilt Room. There was a sofa at one end, and on it sat the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. As soon as their eyes met, Billy realized that the world had been changed. She held out her hand. “T sent for you,” she said, “after reading your soul-stirring advertisement in the Boston and New York papers in which you advised every school teacher in the country to buy gold mines. felt that you must bea real gentleman. I heard, also, that you were a large stockholder in my father’s company.” “Yes! “T thought you might like to know,” she went on, playfully, “that the administration of affairs has just been placed in the hands of Molasses.” “What do you mean?” comicbooks.com