But the artful Tamms had still one more trick in his bag. In the momentary hush that followed this first discharge of heavy guns, Charlie got another telegram. It was dated Brooklyn, like the first. “Allegheny Central--special stockholders meeting for dividend--books close to-morrow.” Tamms would have compressed the gospel of eternal life into ten words. Then a clever idea struck young Townley. If they had no money, neither had Remington and his crowd any stock. “Post this telegram,” he said to his clerk who had brought it. And then: “I want ten thousand more of Allegheny Central--_cash_.” Now “cash” meant that the stock must be delivered that day, as the books closed on the morrow. There was another pause. He could hear the younger brokers among his adversaries anxiously inquiring the loaning rate on Allegheny Central. Now Charlie knew very well there was none to loan. “I’ll give seventy-six for ten thousand, cash.” And this time there was a sort of wolf-like howl; but no other response. “Seventy-seven?--Seventy-eight?--EIGHTY?” The baffled deacon turned his quid again. “Seventy--at the opening,” said he at last. But Charlie laughed scornfully. “I want it now, please, deacon.” And here some of those rich young men who had been at the dinner, seeing a turn in the tide of battle, ranged themselves on Townley’s side. The price was run up with astounding rapidity. “Eighty--one--two--three--five--” the deacon looked on impotently. Not for one moment did he believe--nor, perhaps, many others there--that the house of Townley & Tamms could meet this contract. But the rules of trade forbade inquiring into that, so long as they had met their obligations. “NINETY,” said Charlie, in ill-concealed triumph. And the hammer fell, and the morning board was over; and there was a sort of cheer from the money-seeking multitude. Throughout the length and breadth of the greatest trading nation in the world it would be known in a few minutes that Allegheny had closed at ninety, bid. All danger of further calls for margin on that day at least was removed; and Charlie went back in triumph to the office. And even yet, though it is three years since--and three years is a generation on Wall Street--this great battle is remembered; and the audacity of young Charlie Townley and how he stood up before the great bear leader is told, as Romans told how Horatio held the bridge; told by brokers about their firesides, if they have firesides, to their children, when they have any. And Charlie’s memory was kept bright; and his deeds of prowess not forgotten. For it was many a long month before he appeared upon the floor again.