Adventure Magazine Cover, April 1916 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

The War Bride thing. Squirrels follow you about, and that sort of stuff.”’ “Well, Jake, say it in plainer language. What’s on your mindP” “Only this. The biggest interests in this country are buying Consolidated Copper. I know—know! Get it—not guess, but know—that one big whale is gobbling five millions’ worth.” “Go on!” “I’m on already. Better put in an order while the buying’s good.”’ Harold picked up his telephone. “Two-naught-nine-eight Broad!” he called. When the connection had been made he asked for Mr. Blake. “Hello Jim, is this your” he said. ‘‘How did Consolidated Copper open? ‘Twenty- one, eh! What? Gone up a point? Buy a hundred shares for me!”’ Meanwhile Jake was talking earnestly to old Tom Armitage, the head of the firm. That gentleman’s ruddy face with its two belligerent banners of side whiskers became deeply interested as his favorite employee unfolded the story ““Well, well!’ he exclaimed at last. “It sounds good, Jake. I think I’ll risk a little flyer. Got to do something when honest business is so gol-danged dull, you bet your life. By the way, Jake, would it do any harm to let a few good fellows in on this?” “Not a bit! Get ’em in before the big show opens.” Mr. Armitage reached for the telephone. His own brokers soon had an order to buy five hundred shares for him. Then he began to get his friends on the wire. To one after another he told the remarkable story. At luncheon he went from table to table in the Iron Materials Club, distributing tips on Consolidated Copper. Down at the Merchants’ Harold was also whispering to a few friends in confidence that certain friends of his in the world of “big business” were getting in on the ground floor in Consolidated Copper. On his way home that evening Jake read in the financial column of the Evening Sun: There was one little eddy in a sluggish market. Consolidated Copper showed considerable activity all day long, numerous small lots being bought at prices that advanced an eighth at a time. The security closed at 22, a point above the opening quotation. “Very good, Eddie,” approved Mr. Buck- muller. 103 At dinner Celia regarded him steadily until he lighted his cigar and quenched the match in his finger-bowl. “Well,” she said, “what about the Wall Street thing?” “Getting interested, eh?’ answered her husband. ‘You have not seen an evening paper, have you? Didn’t notice the an- nouncement that ‘C.C.’ went up six and two-eighths?”’ “Six and two-eighths?” “H’m! That’s eight-eights, isn’t it?” “Never mind the figures, Jake. How much money are you ahead?” “Well,” Jake evaded, “this is only the beginning.” “How much?” Celia persisted. “Er—twenty dollars,” confessed Jake, his voice a little weak. Celia sniffed. “That’s about enough to the pink ribbon for the yacht,” she said. ‘And you risked five hundred for that?” “Oh, come now!” protested Mr. Buck- muller, ‘‘this is only the beginning, you know. Talking about that yacht, don’t you think we ought to have the front door paneled in bronze, and a cute little Parisian forepeak? Those Joffre effects are very fetching.” “Oh, stop your nonsense! Here are your slippers, and there’s your rocker. I want to show you the sweetest little gown. The dressmaker just brought it down this after- noon.” The following day was an exciting one in Wall Street. Buying orders began to flood in. Stock brokers who had dismissed or sus- pended clerks sent them telegrams to report at once. Jake, who had been in telephone communication with his broker half a dozen times, and had spent the luncheon hour with the ticker-tape running through his fingers, read and reread the following article in the Evening Sun: Beyond all doubt, there is a live wire in Wall Street. Consolidated Copper, after the preliminary flurry of yesterday, shot up ten full points today. Trading in this mining stock was unprecedentedly heavy. All sorts of rumors are current in the street. It is said that one of the allied governments has entered the American market for unlimited quanti- ties of copper. by the advance in ‘‘C.C.” from one to two points. All securities went up Celia listened patiently while Jake re- cited to her the story of the day’s thrilling events. CoMmichoooks The whole market seemed affected © CO