# War Bribes explained — Fred Gross Stories

> Chapter companion for Fred Gross Stories by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

Fred Gross writes to his brother Charley about his stock market ventures, which are affected by war rumors and newspaper reports. He also details his family's struggles with whooping cough and financial hardship, including a request for a loan that is refused.

## Themes in this chapter

### Financial Struggle and Debt

Fred's constant worry about bills, loan requests, and the possibility of losing the house.

### Optimism vs. Reality

Fred's optimistic stock market predictions contrast with actual losses and financial setbacks.

### Family Obligation and Support

Fred asks Charley for a loan, and Grace's father provides money for her birthday.

## Character check-ins

### Fred A. Gross

Narrator and main correspondent; discusses stock market, family illness, and financial troubles.

### Brother Charley

Recipient of letters; Fred's brother, who refuses a loan request.

### Grace Charley

Fred's wife; argues about children's health and spending, and receives birthday money from her father.

### Mary Gross

Charley's wife; mentioned in greetings and in Fred's comment about her clothes.

### Rumley

Stock that Fred invests in; its price fluctuates due to war rumors.

## Key lines

> got a little money say $100 that you want to run up in to some thing big send it a long and I will get some body to place it with the broker for you

If you have about $100 to invest, send it to me and I'll find someone to place it with a broker.

_Fred offers to help Charley invest in the stock market._

> the newspapers should ought to be forced to not print nothing that would effect the stock markit

Newspapers should be prevented from printing anything that could affect the stock market.

_Fred blames the press for market fluctuations._

> I was looking for the stock to start going up again last Mon. but I seen a ticker at noon and instead of it going up it went down to $4.

I expected the stock to rise on Monday, but the ticker showed it fell to $4.

_Fred's optimistic prediction fails._

> If Grace had of pade a tension to me we wouldent of had no sick childern on our hands

If Grace had listened to me, the children wouldn't have gotten sick.

_Fred blames Grace for the children's whooping cough._

> I hope you can help us out Charley to the extend of a $100 and I would promuss to give it back in Oct.

I hope you can lend me $100, which I promise to repay by October.

_Fred requests a loan from Charley._

> Graces old man thawed out and come threw with a couple $100 for Graces berth day

Grace's father finally gave her a couple hundred dollars for her birthday.

_Grace's father provides financial help._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se/chapters/war-bribes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se/chapters