Chapter 13

20 min

There I was, once more broke, which was bad, and dead wrong in my trading, which was a sight worse. I was sick, nervous, upset and unable to reason calmly. That is, I was in the frame of mind in which no speculator should be when he is trading. Everything went wrong with me. Indeed, I began to think that I could not recover my departed sense of proportion. Having grown accustomed to swinging a big line—say, more than a hundred thousand shares of stock—I feared I would not show good judgment trading in a small way. It scarcely seemed worthwhile being right when all you carried was a hundred shares of stock. After the habit of taking a big profit on a big line I wasn’t sure I would know when to take my profit on a small line. I can’t describe to you how weaponless I felt.

There I was, broke again, which was bad, and completely wrong in my trading, which was much worse. I was sick, nervous, upset, and unable to think calmly. In other words, I was in a state of mind no speculator should be in while trading. Everything was going wrong for me. I even began to think I could not regain my lost sense of proportion. I had grown used to trading large positions, say, more than a hundred thousand shares of stock. I feared I would not show good judgment when trading on a small scale. Being right hardly seemed worth the trouble when you held only a hundred shares of stock. I was used to taking a big profit on a large position. So I wasn’t sure I would know when to take my profit on a small one. I can’t describe how defenseless I felt.

Broke again and incapable of assuming the offensive vigorously. In debt and wrong! After all those long years of successes, tempered by mistakes that really served to pave the way for greater successes, I was now worse off than when I began in the bucket shops. I had learned a great deal about the game of stock speculation, but I had not learned quite so much about the play of human weaknesses. There is no mind so machinelike that you can depend upon it to function with equal efficiency at all times. I now learned that I could not trust myself to remain equally unaffected by men and misfortunes at all times.

Broke again and unable to fight back with much force. In debt and wrong! After all those long years of success, I was worse off than when I started in the bucket shops. Even my mistakes had helped pave the way for greater successes. I had learned a great deal about stock speculation, but not quite as much about how human weaknesses come into play. No mind is so machine-like that you can count on it to work equally well at all times. I now learned that I could not trust myself to remain equally unaffected by people and misfortunes at all times.

Money losses have never worried me in the slightest. But other troubles could and did. I studied my disaster in detail and of course found no difficulty in seeing just where I had been silly. I spotted the exact time and place. A man must know himself thoroughly if he is going to make a good job out of trading in the speculative markets. To know what I was capable of in the line of folly was a long educational step. I sometimes think that no price is too high for a speculator to pay to learn that which will keep him from getting the swelled head. A great many smashes by brilliant men can be traced directly to the swelled head—an expensive disease everywhere to everybody, but particularly in Wall Street to a speculator.

Losing money has never worried me in the slightest. But other troubles could and did worry me. I studied my disaster in detail and easily saw exactly where I had been foolish. I pinpointed the time and place. A man must know himself thoroughly if he is going to trade successfully in speculative markets. Learning how foolish I could be was a big step in my education. I sometimes think no price is too high for a speculator to pay to learn how to avoid becoming conceited. Many brilliant men have come crashing down because they became conceited. Conceit is an expensive disease for everyone, everywhere, but especially for a speculator on Wall Street.

I was not happy in New York, feeling the way I did. I didn’t want to trade, because I wasn’t in good trading trim. I decided to go away and seek a stake elsewhere. The change of scene could help me to find myself again, I thought. So once more I left New York, beaten by the game of speculation. I was worse than broke, since I owed over one hundred thousand dollars spread among various brokers.

I was unhappy in New York, feeling the way I did. I didn’t want to trade because I wasn’t in the right shape for it. I decided to go away and raise some money elsewhere. I thought a change of scene might help me find myself again. So once again, I left New York, beaten by the game of speculation. I was worse than broke. I owed more than one hundred thousand dollars to various brokers.

I went to Chicago and there found a stake. It was not a very substantial stake, but that merely meant that I would need a little more time to win back my fortune. A house that I once had done business with had faith in my ability as a trader and they were willing to prove it by allowing me to trade in their office in a small way.

I went to Chicago and found some money to trade with. It wasn't much, but that only meant I would need more time to win back my fortune. A firm I had done business with before believed in my ability as a trader. They were willing to prove it by letting me trade on a small scale in their office.

I began very conservatively. I don’t know how I might have fared had I stayed there. But one of the most remarkable experiences in my career cut short my stay in Chicago. It is an almost incredible story.

I started out very cautiously. I don’t know how I might have done if I had stayed in Chicago. But one of the most remarkable experiences of my career cut my stay short. It is an almost unbelievable story.

One day I got a telegram from Lucius Tucker. I had known him when he was the office manager of a Stock Exchange firm that I had at times given some business to, but I had lost track of him. The telegram read:

One day I received a telegram from Lucius Tucker. I had known him when he managed the office of a Stock Exchange firm I sometimes did business with. But I had lost track of him. The telegram read:

Come to New York at once. L. Tucker.

Come to New York right away. L. Tucker.

I knew that he knew from mutual friends how I was fixed and therefore it was certain he had something up his sleeve. At the same time I had no money to throw away on an unnecessary trip to New York; so instead of doing what he asked me to do I got him on the long distance.

I knew our mutual friends had told him about my situation, so he had to be planning something. At the same time, I had no money to waste on an unnecessary trip to New York. So instead of doing what he asked, I called him long-distance.

“I got your telegram,” I said. “What does it mean?”

“It means that a big banker in New York wants to see you,” he answered.

“It means a major banker in New York wants to see you,” he replied.

“Who is it?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine who it could be.

“I’ll tell you when you come to New York. No use otherwise.”

“I’ll tell you when you come to New York. There’s no point otherwise.”

“You say he wants to see me?”

“He does.”

“What about?”

“He’ll tell you in person if you give him a chance,” said Lucius.

“Can’t you write me?”

“Can’t you write to me?”

“No.”

“Then tell me more plainly,” I said.

“Then explain it more clearly,” I said.

“I don’t want to.”

“Look here, Lucius,” I said, “just tell me this much: Is this a fool trip?”

“Look, Lucius,” I said, “just tell me this: Is this a fool’s errand?”

“Certainly not. It will be to your advantage to come.”

“Of course not. It will be to your benefit to come.”

“Can’t you give me an inkling?”

“Can’t you give me a hint?”

“No,” he said. “It wouldn’t be fair to him. And besides, I don’t know just how much he wants to do for you. But take my advice: Come, and come quick.”

“No,” he said. “That wouldn’t be fair to him. Besides, I don’t know exactly how much he wants to do for you. But take my advice: Come, and come quickly.”

“Are you sure it is I that he wishes to see?”

“Are you sure he wants to see me?”

“Nobody else but you will do. Better come, I tell you. Telegraph me what train you take and I’ll meet you at the station.”

“No one else but you will do. You'd better come, I tell you. Send me a telegram telling me which train you're taking, and I'll meet you at the station.”

“Very well,” I said, and hung up.

“Okay,” I said, and hung up.

I didn’t like quite so much mystery, but I knew that Lucius was friendly and that he must have a good reason for talking the way he did. I wasn’t faring so sumptuously in Chicago that it would break my heart to leave it. At the rate I was trading it would be a long time before I could get together enough money to operate on the old scale.

I didn’t like all the mystery, but I knew Lucius was friendly. He must have had a good reason for talking that way. I wasn’t doing so well in Chicago that leaving would break my heart. At the rate I was trading, it would be a long time before I had enough money to trade on the same scale as before.

I came back to New York, not knowing what would happen. Indeed, more than once during the trip I feared nothing at all would happen and that I’d be out my railroad fare and my time. I could not guess that I was about to have the most curious experience of my entire life.

I returned to New York, not knowing what would happen. More than once during the trip, I feared nothing would happen at all. I worried that I would waste my time and the cost of the train fare. I had no idea I was about to have the strangest experience of my life.

Lucius met me at the station and did not waste any time in telling me that he had sent for me at the urgent request of Mr. Daniel Williamson, of the well-known Stock Exchange house of Williamson & Brown. Mr. Williamson told Lucius to tell me that he had a business proposition to make to me that he was sure I would accept since it would be very profitable for me. Lucius swore he didn’t know what the proposition was. The character of the firm was a guaranty that nothing improper would be demanded of me.

Lucius met me at the station and immediately told me why he had sent for me. Mr. Daniel Williamson of the well-known Stock Exchange firm Williamson & Brown had urgently asked him to do so. Williamson had a business proposition for me. He told Lucius to say he was sure I would accept it because it would be very profitable for me. Lucius swore he didn’t know what the proposition was. The firm’s reputation guaranteed that nothing improper would be asked of me.

Dan Williamson was the senior member of the firm, which was founded by Egbert Williamson way back in the ’70’s. There was no Brown and hadn’t been one in the firm for years. The house had been, very prominent in Dan’s father’s time and Dan had inherited a considerable fortune and didn’t go after much outside business. They had one customer who was worth a hundred average customers and that was Alvin Marquand, Williamson’s brother-in-law, who in addition to being a director in a dozen banks and trust companies was the president of the great Chesapeake and Atlantic Railroad system. He was the most picturesque personality in the railroad world after James J. Hill, and was the spokesman and dominant member of the powerful banking coterie known as the Fort Dawson gang. He was worth from fifty million to five hundred million dollars, the estimate depending upon the state of the speaker’s liver. When he died they found out that he was worth two hundred and fifty million dollars, all made in Wall Street. So you see he was some customer.

Dan Williamson was the senior partner of the firm, which Egbert Williamson had founded back in the 1870s. There was no Brown, and there hadn’t been one in the firm for years. The firm had been very prominent in Dan’s father’s day. Dan had inherited a considerable fortune and didn’t pursue much outside business. The firm had one customer worth a hundred average customers: Alvin Marquand, Williamson’s brother-in-law. Marquand was a director of a dozen banks and trust companies. He was also president of the great Chesapeake and Atlantic Railroad system. He was the most colorful figure in the railroad world after James J. Hill. He was also the spokesman and dominant member of a powerful banking group known as the Fort Dawson gang. Estimates of his wealth ranged from fifty million to five hundred million dollars, depending on the state of the speaker’s liver. When he died, people found out he was worth two hundred and fifty million dollars, all made on Wall Street. So you can see he was quite a customer.

Lucius told me he had just accepted a position with Williamson & Brown—one that was made for him. He was supposed to be a sort of circulating general business getter. The firm was after a general commission business and Lucius had induced Mr. Williamson to open a couple of branch offices, one in one of the big hotels uptown and the other in Chicago. I rather gathered that I was going to be offered a position in the latter place, possibly as office manager, which was something I would not accept. I didn’t jump on Lucius because I thought I’d better wait until the offer was made before I refused it.

Lucius told me he had just accepted a position with Williamson & Brown, one created for him. His job was to travel around bringing in business. The firm wanted to build a general commission business. Lucius had persuaded Mr. Williamson to open two branch offices. One was in a large hotel uptown, and the other was in Chicago. I got the impression that I would be offered a position in the Chicago office, possibly as office manager. I wouldn’t have accepted it. I didn’t object to Lucius because I thought I should wait until the offer was made before refusing it.

Lucius took me into Mr. Williamson’s private office, introduced me to his chief and left the room in a hurry, as though he wished to avoid being called as witness in a case in which he knew both parties. I prepared to listen and then to say no.

Lucius took me into Mr. Williamson’s private office and introduced me to his boss. Then he hurried out, as if he wanted to avoid being called as a witness in a case involving two people he knew. I prepared to listen and then say no.

Mr. Williamson was very pleasant. He was a thorough gentleman, with polished manners and a kindly smile. I could see that he made friends easily and kept them. Why not? He was healthy and therefore good-humored. He had slathers of money and therefore could not be suspected of sordid motives. These things, together with his education and social training, made it easy for him to be not only polite but friendly, and not only friendly but helpful.

Mr. Williamson was very pleasant. He was a true gentleman, with polished manners and a kind smile. I could see that he made friends easily and kept them. Why not? He was healthy, so he was good-humored. He had lots of money, so no one could suspect him of selfish motives. His education and social training, along with his health and wealth, made it easy for him to be polite and friendly. They also made it easy for him to be helpful.

I said nothing. I had nothing to say and, besides, I always let the other man have his say in full before I do any talking. Somebody told me that the late James Stillman, president of the National City Bank—who, by the way, was an intimate friend of Williamson’s—made it his practice to listen in silence, with an impassive face, to anybody who brought a proposition to him. After the man got through Mr. Stillman continued to look at him, as though the man had not finished. So the man, feeling urged to say something more, did so. Simply by looking and listening Stillman often made the man offer terms much more advantageous to the bank than he had meant to offer when he began to speak.

I said nothing. I had nothing to say. Besides, I always let the other man finish before I start talking. Someone told me about the late James Stillman, president of the National City Bank. Stillman, by the way, was a close friend of Williamson’s. Whenever someone brought Stillman a proposal, he would listen silently, his face showing no emotion. After the man finished, Stillman would keep looking at him as if he hadn’t finished. Feeling prompted to say more, the man would go on. Simply by looking and listening, Stillman often got the man to offer terms much better for the bank than he had intended when he began speaking.

I don’t keep silent just to induce people to offer a better bargain, but because I like to know all the facts of the case. By letting a man have his say in full you are able to decide at once. It is a great time-saver. It averts debates and prolonged discussions that get nowhere. Nearly every business proposition that is brought to me can be settled, as far as my participation in it is concerned, by my saying yes or no. But I cannot say yes or no right off unless I have the complete proposition before me.

I don’t stay quiet just to get people to offer me a better deal. I stay quiet because I like to know all the facts. If I let someone say everything they have to say, I can decide right away. That saves a lot of time. It prevents debates and long discussions that go nowhere. I can settle nearly every business proposal brought to me, at least as far as my own involvement goes, by saying yes or no. But I can’t answer right away unless I have the complete proposal in front of me.

Dan Williamson did the talking and I did the listening. He told me he had heard a great deal about my operations in the stock market and how he regretted that I had gone outside of my bailiwick and come a cropper in cotton. Still it was to my bad luck that he owed the pleasure of that interview with me. He thought my forte was the stock market, that I was born for it and that I should not stray from it.

Dan Williamson did the talking, and I listened. He said he had heard a great deal about my stock market trading. He regretted that I had ventured outside my area of expertise and failed in cotton. Still, he owed the pleasure of meeting me to my bad luck. He thought the stock market was my strength, that I was born for it, and that I should stick to it.

“And that is the reason, Mr. Livingston,” he concluded pleasantly, “why we wish to do business with you.”

“And that’s why we want to do business with you, Mr. Livingston,” he concluded pleasantly.

“Do business how?” I asked him.

“How do business?” I asked him.

“Be your brokers,” he said. “My firm would like to do your stock business.”

“Be your brokers,” he said. “My firm would like to handle your stock trading.”

“I’d like to give it to you,” I said, “but I can’t.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“I haven’t any money,” I answered.

“I don’t have any money,” I answered.

“That part is all right,” he said with a friendly smile. “I’ll furnish it.” He took out a pocket checkbook, wrote out a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to my order, and gave it to me.

“That part is fine,” he said with a friendly smile. “I’ll provide it.” He took out a pocket checkbook, wrote me a check for twenty-five thousand dollars, and gave it to me.

“What’s this for?” I asked.

“For you to deposit in your own bank. You will draw your own checks. I want you to do your trading in our office. I don’t care whether you win or lose. If that money goes I will give you another personal check. So you don’t have to be so very careful with this one. See?”

“Deposit it in your own bank. You’ll write your own checks. I want you to trade in our office. I don’t care whether you win or lose. If you lose that money, I’ll give you another personal check. So you don’t have to be too careful with this one. See?”

I knew that the firm was too rich and prosperous to need anybody’s business, much less to give a fellow the money to put up as margin. And then he was so nice about it! Instead of giving me a credit with the house he gave me the actual cash, so that he alone knew where it came from, the only string being that if I traded I should do so through his firm. And then the promise that there would be more if that went! Still, there must be a reason.

I knew the firm was too rich and successful to need anyone’s business, let alone give someone money for margin. And he was so nice about it! Instead of giving me credit with the firm, he gave me cash. That way, he alone knew where the money came from. The only condition was that if I traded, I had to do it through his firm. And he promised there would be more money if I lost that! Still, there had to be a reason.

“What’s the idea?” I asked him.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“The idea is simply that we want to have a customer in this office who is known as a big active trader. Everybody knows that you swing a big line on the short side, which is what I particularly like about you. You are known as a plunger.”

“The idea is simple. We want a customer in this office who is known as a big, active trader. Everyone knows you take large short positions, which I particularly like about you. You are known as a big risk-taker.”

“I still don’t get it,” I said.

“I’ll be frank with you, Mr. Livingston. We have two or three very wealthy customers who buy and sell stocks in a big way. I don’t want the Street to suspect them of selling long stock every time we sell ten or twenty thousand shares of any stock. If the Street knows that you are trading in our office it will not know whether it is your short selling or the other customers’ long stock that is coming on the market.”

“I’ll be honest with you, Mr. Livingston. We have two or three very wealthy customers who buy and sell large amounts of stock. I don’t want Wall Street to suspect them of selling shares they own every time we sell ten or twenty thousand shares of any stock. If Wall Street knows you trade through our office, it won’t know whose shares are coming onto the market. They could be shares you are selling short or shares the other customers own.”

I understood at once. He wanted to cover up his brother-in-law’s operations with my reputation as a plunger! It so happened that I had made my biggest killing on the bear side a year and a half before, and, of course, the Street gossips and the stupid rumor-mongers had acquired the habit of blaming me for every decline in prices. To this day when the market is very weak they say I am raiding it.

I understood at once. He wanted to use my reputation as a reckless speculator to cover up his brother-in-law’s trading! A year and a half earlier, I had made my biggest profit betting on falling prices. Of course, Wall Street gossips and stupid rumor-mongers had gotten into the habit of blaming me for every drop in prices. To this day, when the market is very weak, they say I am driving prices down.

I didn’t have to reflect. I saw at a glance that Dan Williamson was offering me a chance to come back and come back quickly. I took the check, banked it, opened an account with his firm and began trading. It was a good active market, broad enough for a man not to have to stick to one or two specialties. I had begun to fear, as I told you, that I had lost the knack of hitting it right. But it seems I hadn’t. In three weeks’ time I had made a profit of one hundred and twelve thousand dollars out of the twenty-five thousand that Dan Williamson lent me.

I didn’t need to think it over. I saw right away that Dan Williamson was giving me a chance to make a quick comeback. I took the check, deposited it, opened an account with his firm, and began trading. The market was good and active, with enough opportunities that I didn’t have to stick to one or two specialties. As I told you, I had begun to fear that I had lost my knack for getting trades right. But it seemed I hadn’t. In three weeks, I made a profit of $112,000 from the $25,000 Dan Williamson had lent me.

I went to him and said, “I’ve come to pay you back that twenty-five thousand dollars.”

I went to him and said, “I’ve come to pay you back the twenty-five thousand dollars.”

“No, no!” he said and waved me away exactly as if I had offered him a castor-oil cocktail. “No, no, my boy. Wait until your account amounts to something. Don’t think about it yet. You’ve only got chicken feed there.”

“No, no!” he said, waving me away as if I had offered him a castor-oil cocktail. “No, no, my boy. Wait until you have a substantial amount in your account. Don’t think about it yet. You’ve only got a tiny amount in there.”

There is where I made the mistake that I have regretted more than any other I ever made in my Wall Street career. It was responsible for long and dreary years of suffering. I should have insisted on his taking the money. I was on my way to a bigger fortune than I had lost and walking pretty fast. For three weeks my average profit was 150 per cent per week. From then on my trading would be on a steadily increasing scale. But instead of freeing myself from all obligation I let him have his way and did not compel him to accept the twenty-five thousand dollars. Of course, since he didn’t draw out the twenty-five thousand dollars he had advanced me I felt I could not very well draw out my profit. I was very grateful to him, but I am so constituted that I don’t like to owe money or favours. I can pay the money back with money, but the favours and kindnesses I must pay back in kind—and you are apt to find these moral obligations mighty high priced at times. Moreover there is no statute of limitations.

That was where I made the mistake I have regretted more than any other in my Wall Street career. It led to long, dreary years of suffering. I should have insisted that he take the money. I was well on my way to a bigger fortune than the one I had lost, and moving fast. For three weeks, my average profit was 150 percent per week. From then on, I would trade on a steadily increasing scale. But instead of freeing myself from all obligation, I let him have his way. I did not make him accept the twenty-five thousand dollars. Of course, because he didn’t withdraw the twenty-five thousand dollars he had advanced me, I felt I could hardly withdraw my profit. I was very grateful to him, but I don’t like to owe money or favors. I can pay back money with money, but I must repay favors and kindnesses in kind. And those moral obligations can sometimes be mighty expensive. What’s more, there is no statute of limitations on them.

I left the money undisturbed and resumed my trading. I was getting on very nicely. I was recovering my poise and I was sure it would not be very long before I should get back into my 1907 stride. Once I did that, all I’d ask for would be for the market to hold out a little while and I’d more than make up my losses. But making or not making the money was not bothering me much. What made me happy was that I was losing the habit of being wrong, of not being myself. It had played havoc with me for months but I had learned my lesson.

I left the money untouched and went back to trading. I was doing very well. I was regaining my confidence, and I was sure I would soon be trading as well as I had in 1907. Once I did, all I’d need was for the market to hold out a little longer. Then I’d more than make up for my losses. But I wasn’t too worried about whether I made the money. What made me happy was that I was breaking the habit of being wrong, of not being myself. It had thrown me off for months, but I had learned my lesson.

Just about that time I turned bear and I began to sell short several railroad stocks. Among them was Chesapeake & Atlantic. I think I put out a short line in it; about eight thousand shares.

Around that time, I became bearish and began selling several railroad stocks short. One was Chesapeake & Atlantic. I think I sold about eight thousand shares of it short.

One morning when I got downtown Dan Williamson called me into his private office before the market opened and said to me: “Larry, don’t do anything in Chesapeake & Atlantic just now. That was a bad play of yours, selling eight thousand short. I covered it for you this morning in London and went long.”

One morning, when I got downtown, Dan Williamson called me into his private office before the market opened. He said, “Larry, don’t do anything in Chesapeake & Atlantic right now. Selling eight thousand shares short was a bad move. I covered your short position in London this morning and went long.”

I was sure Chesapeake & Atlantic was going down. The tape told it to me quite plainly; and besides I was bearish on the whole market, not violently or insanely bearish, but enough to feel comfortable with a moderate short line out. I said to Williamson, “What did you do that for? I am bearish on the whole market and they are all going lower.”

I was sure Chesapeake & Atlantic was going down. The tape showed that clearly. Besides, I was bearish on the whole market. I wasn't wildly bearish, but I felt comfortable holding a moderate short position. I said to Williamson, “Why did you do that? I'm bearish on the whole market, and all the stocks are going lower.”

But he just shook his head and said, “I did it because I happen to know something about Chesapeake & Atlantic that you couldn’t know. My advice to you is not to sell that stock short until I tell you it is safe to do so.”

But he just shook his head and said, “I did it because I know something about Chesapeake & Atlantic that you couldn’t know. My advice is not to sell that stock short until I tell you it’s safe.”

What could I do? That wasn’t an asinine tip. It was advice that came from the brother-in-law of the chairman of the board of directors. Dan was not only Alvin Marquand’s closest friend but he had been kind and generous to me. He had shown his faith in me and confidence in my word. I couldn’t do less than to thank him. And so my feelings again won over my judgment and I gave in. To subordinate my judgment to his desires was the undoing of me. Gratitude is something a decent man can’t help feeling, but it is for a fellow to keep it from completely tying him up. The first thing I knew I not only had lost all my profit but I owed the firm one hundred and fifty thousand dollars besides. I felt pretty badly about it, but Dan told me not to worry.

What could I do? That wasn’t a stupid tip. The advice came from the brother-in-law of the chairman of the board. Dan was Alvin Marquand’s closest friend, and he had been kind and generous to me. He had shown faith in me and trusted my word. The least I could do was thank him. So once again, my feelings won out over my judgment, and I gave in. Putting his wishes ahead of my judgment was my undoing. A decent man can’t help feeling grateful, but he has to keep gratitude from tying him up completely. Before I knew it, I had lost all my profit and owed the firm another $150,000. I felt pretty bad about it, but Dan told me not to worry.

“I’ll get you out of this hole,” he promised. “I know I will. But I can only do it if you let me. You will have to stop doing business on your own hook. I can’t be working for you and then have you completely undo all my work in your behalf. Just lay off the market and give me a chance to make some money for you. Won’t you, Larry?”

“I’ll get you out of this hole,” he promised. “I know I will. But I can only do it if you let me. You’ll have to stop trading on your own. I can’t work for you if you’re going to undo all my work. Just stay out of the market and give me a chance to make some money for you. Won’t you, Larry?”

Again I ask you: What could I do? I thought of his kindliness and I could not do anything that might be construed as lacking in appreciation. I had grown to like him. He was very pleasant and friendly. I remember that all I got from him was encouragement. He kept on assuring me that everything would come out O.K. One day, perhaps six months later, he came to me with a pleased smile and gave me some credit slips.

Again I ask you: What could I do? I thought of his kindness, and I couldn't do anything that might seem ungrateful. I had come to like him. He was very pleasant and friendly. I remember that all I got from him was encouragement. He kept assuring me that everything would turn out okay. One day, perhaps six months later, he came to me with a pleased smile and gave me some credit slips.

“I told you I would pull you out of that hole,” he said, “and I have.” And then I discovered that not only had he wiped out the debt entirely but I had a small credit balance besides.

“I told you I’d get you out of that hole,” he said, “and I have.” Then I discovered that he had not only paid off the entire debt but had also left me with a small credit balance.

I think I could have run that up without much trouble, for the market was right, but he said to me, “I have bought you ten thousand shares of Southern Atlantic.” That was another road controlled by his brother-in-law, Alvin Marquand, who also ruled the market destinies of the stock.

I think I could have built that balance up by trading without much trouble, because the market was right. But he said to me, “I’ve bought you ten thousand shares of Southern Atlantic.” That was another railroad controlled by his brother-in-law, Alvin Marquand, who also ruled the stock’s fate in the market.

When a man does for you what Dan Williamson did for me you can’t say anything but “Thank you”—no matter what your market views may be. You may be sure you’re right, but as Pat Hearne used to say: “You can’t tell till you bet!” and Dan Williamson had bet for me—with his money.

When someone does for you what Dan Williamson did for me, all you can say is “Thank you.” That’s true no matter what you think about the market. You may be sure you’re right, but as Pat Hearne used to say: “You can’t tell till you bet!” And Dan Williamson had bet for me with his own money.

Well, Southern Atlantic went down and stayed down and I lost, I forget how much, on my ten thousand shares before Dan sold me out. I owed him more than ever. But you never saw a nicer or less importunate creditor in your life. Never a whimper from him. Instead, encouraging words and admonitions not to worry about it. In the end the loss was made up for me in the same generous but mysterious way.

Well, Southern Atlantic fell and stayed down. I lost money on my ten thousand shares before Dan sold them out. I forget how much. I owed him more than ever. But you never saw a nicer or less demanding creditor in your life. He never complained. Instead, he encouraged me and told me not to worry about the debt. In the end, the loss was made up for me in the same generous but mysterious way.

He gave no details whatever. They were all numbered accounts. Dan Williamson would just say to me, “We made up your Southern Atlantic loss with profits on this other deal,” and he’d tell me how he had sold seventy-five hundred shares of some other stock and made a nice thing out of it. I can truthfully say that I never knew a blessed thing about those trades of mine until I was told that the indebtedness was wiped out.

He gave me no details at all. They were all numbered accounts. Dan Williamson would just say to me, “We made up your Southern Atlantic loss with profits on this other deal.” Then he would tell me how he had sold 7,500 shares of some other stock and made a nice profit. I can honestly say I never knew a thing about those trades of mine until I was told the debt was paid off.

After that happened several times I began to think, and I got to look at my case from a different angle. Finally I tumbled. It was plain that I had been used by Dan Williamson. It made me angry to think it, but still angrier that I had not tumbled to it quicker. As soon as I had gone over the whole thing in my mind I went to Dan Williamson, told him I was through with the firm, and I quit the office of Williamson & Brown. I had no words with him or any of his partners. What good would that have done me? But I will admit that I was sore—at myself quite as much as at Williamson & Brown.

After that happened several times, I began to think and look at my situation differently. Finally, I figured it out. Dan Williamson had clearly been using me. That made me angry, but I was even angrier that I hadn't figured it out sooner. After thinking the whole thing over, I went to Dan Williamson and told him I was leaving the firm. Then I quit Williamson & Brown. I didn't argue with him or any of his partners. What good would that have done me? But I admit I was angry with myself just as much as with Williamson & Brown.

The loss of the money didn’t bother me. Whenever I have lost money in the stock market I have always considered that I have learned something; that if I have lost money I have gained experience, so that the money really went for a tuition fee. A man has to have experience and he has to pay for it. But there was something that hurt a whole lot in that experience of mine in Dan Williamson’s office, and that was the loss of a great opportunity. The money a man loses is nothing; he can make it up. But opportunities such as I had then do not come every day.

Losing the money didn’t bother me. Whenever I’ve lost money in the stock market, I’ve always considered it a learning experience. If I lost money, I gained experience, so the money was really a tuition fee. A man needs experience, and he has to pay for it. But something about my experience in Dan Williamson’s office hurt a lot: I had lost a great opportunity. The money a man loses is nothing. He can make it up. But opportunities like the one I had then don’t come every day.

The market, you see, had been a fine trading market. I was right; I mean, I was reading it accurately. The opportunity to make millions was there. But I allowed my gratitude to interfere with my play. I tied my own hands. I had to do what Dan Williamson in his kindness wished done. Altogether it was more unsatisfactory than doing business with a relative. Bad business!

The market, you see, had been great for trading. I was right. I mean, I was reading the market accurately. The chance to make millions was there. But I let my gratitude interfere with my trading. I tied my own hands. I had to do what Dan Williamson, in his kindness, wanted done. All in all, it was more unsatisfactory than doing business with a relative. Bad business!

And that wasn’t the worst thing about it. It was that after that there was practically no opportunity for me to make big money. The market flattened out. Things drifted from bad to worse. I not only lost all I had but got into debt again—more heavily than ever. Those were long lean years, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914. There was no money to be made. The opportunity simply wasn’t there and so I was worse off than ever.

And that wasn’t the worst thing about it. After that, I had almost no chance to make big money. The market went flat. Things went from bad to worse. I lost all I had and got into debt again, more heavily than ever. Those were long, lean years: 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1914. There was no money to be made. The opportunity simply wasn’t there, so I was worse off than ever.

It isn’t uncomfortable to lose when the loss is not accompanied by a poignant vision of what might have been. That was precisely what I could not keep my mind from dwelling on, and of course it unsettled me further. I learned that the weaknesses to which a speculator is prone are almost numberless. It was proper for me as a man to act the way I did in Dan Williamson’s office, but it was improper and unwise for me as a speculator to allow myself to be influenced by any consideration to act against my own judgment. Noblesse oblige—but not in the stock market, because the tape is not chivalrous and moreover does not reward loyalty. I realise that I couldn’t have acted differently. I couldn’t make myself over just because I wished to trade in the stock market. But business is business always, and my business as a speculator is to back my own judgment always.

Losing isn't painful when you aren't haunted by a vivid picture of what might have been. But I couldn't stop thinking about what might have been, and that upset me even more. I learned that a speculator is prone to almost countless weaknesses. As a man, I was right to act as I did in Dan Williamson's office. But as a speculator, I was wrong and unwise to let any consideration lead me to act against my own judgment. Noblesse oblige, or privilege brings responsibility, but not in the stock market. The ticker tape isn't chivalrous, and it doesn't reward loyalty. I realize I couldn't have acted differently. I couldn't remake myself just because I wanted to trade in the stock market. But business is always business, and my business as a speculator is always to back my own judgment.

It was a very curious experience. I’ll tell you what I think happened. Dan Williamson was perfectly sincere in what he told me when he first saw me. Every time his firm did a few thousand shares in any one stock the Street jumped at the conclusion that Alvin Marquand was buying or selling. He was the big trader of the office, to be sure, and he gave this firm all his business; and he was one of the best and biggest traders they have ever had in Wall Street. Well, I was to be used as a smoke screen, particularly for Marquand’s selling.

It was a very strange experience. I’ll tell you what I think happened. Dan Williamson was completely sincere in what he told me when we first met. Whenever his firm traded a few thousand shares of any stock, Wall Street jumped to the conclusion that Alvin Marquand was buying or selling. Marquand was certainly the firm’s biggest trader, and he gave the firm all his business. He was also one of the best and biggest traders Wall Street had ever seen. Well, I was to be used as a smoke screen, especially when Marquand was selling.

Alvin Marquand fell sick shortly after I went in. His ailment was early diagnosed as incurable, and Dan Williamson of course knew it long before Marquand himself did. That is why Dan covered my Chesapeake & Atlantic stock. He had begun to liquidate some of his brother-in-law’s speculative holdings of that and other stocks.

Alvin Marquand fell ill shortly after I joined. His illness was soon diagnosed as incurable. Of course, Dan Williamson knew this long before Marquand did. That was why Dan covered my Chesapeake & Atlantic stock. He had begun selling some of his brother-in-law’s speculative holdings in that stock and others.

Of course when Marquand died the estate had to liquidate his speculative and semispeculative lines, and by that time we had run into a bear market. By tying me up the way he did, Dan was helping the estate a whole lot. I do not speak boastfully when I say that I was a very heavy trader and that I was dead right in my views on the stock market. I know that Williamson remembered my successful operations in the bear market of 1907 and he couldn’t afford to run the risk of having me at large. Why, if I had kept on the way I was going I’d have made so much money that by the time he was trying to liquidate part of Alvin Marquand’s estate I would have been trading in hundreds of thousands of shares. As an active bear I would have done damage running into the millions of dollars to the Marquand heirs, for Alvin left only a little over a couple of hundred millions.

Of course, when Marquand died, his estate had to sell off his speculative and semispeculative holdings. By then, we were in a bear market. By tying me up as he did, Dan was helping the estate a great deal. I’m not boasting when I say I traded in very large amounts and was absolutely right about the stock market. I know Williamson remembered my successful trades during the bear market of 1907. He couldn’t afford to risk letting me trade freely. Why, if I had kept going as I was, I’d have made so much money that I’d have been trading hundreds of thousands of shares. That would have been by the time he was trying to sell off part of Alvin Marquand’s estate. As an active bear, I would have cost the Marquand heirs millions of dollars. After all, Alvin left only a little over two hundred million.

It was much cheaper for them to let me get into debt and then to pay off the debt than to have me in some other office operating actively on the bear side. That is precisely what I would have been doing but for my feeling that I must not be outdone in decency by Dan Williamson.

It was much cheaper for them to let me go into debt and then pay it off than to have me actively betting on falling prices at another office. That is exactly what I would have been doing if I had not felt that I had to be as decent as Dan Williamson.

I have always considered this the most interesting and most unfortunate of all my experiences as a stock operator. As a lesson it cost me a disproportionately high price. It put off the time of my recovery several years. I was young enough to wait with patience for the strayed millions to come back. But five years is a long time for a man to be poor. Young or old, it is not to be relished. I could do without the yachts a great deal easier than I could without a market to come back on. The greatest opportunity of a lifetime was holding before my very nose the purse I had lost. I could not put out my hand and reach for it. A very shrewd boy, that Dan Williamson; as slick as they make them; farsighted, ingenious, daring. He is a thinker, has imagination, detects the vulnerable spot in any man and can plan cold-bloodedly to hit it. He did his own sizing up and soon doped out just what to do to me in order to reduce me to complete inoffensiveness in the market. He did not actually do me out of any money. On the contrary, he was to all appearances extremely nice about it. He loved his sister, Mrs. Marquand, and he did his duty toward her as he saw it.

I have always considered this the most interesting and most unfortunate of all my experiences as a stock trader. The lesson cost me far too much. It delayed my recovery by several years. I was young enough to wait patiently for the lost millions to come back. But five years is a long time for a man to be poor. Young or old, no one enjoys it. I could do without yachts much more easily than I could do without a market to make a comeback in. The greatest opportunity of my life was holding my lost fortune right in front of my nose. I could not reach out and take it. Dan Williamson was a very shrewd fellow, as slick as they come. He was farsighted, ingenious, and daring. He is a thinker with imagination. He spots a person’s weak point and can coldly plan how to strike it. He made his own assessment and soon figured out exactly how to make me completely harmless in the market. He did not actually cheat me out of any money. On the contrary, he was, to all appearances, extremely nice about it. He loved his sister, Mrs. Marquand, and did his duty by her as he saw it.