11 -*^%f u^~^ ^>r^ l\*J ^M J'"-^ V ^ DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The Glenn Negley Collection of Utopian Literature f\% >iV- Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 witin funding from Duke University Libraries littp://www.arclnive.org/details/ironcrowntaleofgOOdeni AN lEON GEOWN A TALE OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 'Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he is grown so great?" CHICAGO: T. S. DENISON, Publisher. 163 Randolph Street. Inscribed to the memory of the devoted men and women who in every age and in every land have lived and died for the cause of freedom and the equal rights of all men. The Author. Copyright, iSSs, by T. S. Dknison. All Rights Reserved. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The Street of a Thouwinil Palacc^i 7 I CHAPTKR 11. The rwin- Havi- "a Invite Inter High Society" 14 CHAPTER III. i'hc Moral As|>ects of a Dollar -5 CIIAPTEK IV. Sow ill '^ till- Wind 3- 1 CHAPTER V. Mr Roker's Little Scheme 40 CHAPTER VI. The Hoiiorahle D.ivc Sawder : 5° CHAPTER \TI. Very Uiijh Society ^^ CilAP'lER VIII. •' Will You Walk into My Parlor, Said the Spider to the F"Iy ?" 7^> CHAPTER IX. Mr. PiiK" Mallev Seeks a Situation for His Twin Brother, Quill, and the Misses Ingledee and Snicker Make a Call in an I'nfashion- able Street ^"^4 CHAPTER X. Mr. Ingledee Attempts to Read His F'amilv a Lesson on Social Du"ties ^ '. 'O' CHAPTER XL Out West — Rural Amusoinents '09 CHAPTER XIL Spellin' School "5 (iii) IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIII. PAGE. The Hacketts 127 CHAPTER XIV. Miss Harrie Snicker Organizes a Picnic which is by no Means " Common" 1 17 CHAPTER XV. Reaping the Whirlwind 1^9 CHAPTER XVI. ♦' Vengeance is Mine." 157 CHAPTER XVn. A City in the Clouds 164 CHAPTER XVni Roughing It 173 CHAPTER XIX. Striking it Rich. ... 183 CHAPTER XX. Jumpers 191 CHAPTER XXI. A Night Horror in the Shaft.'. 204 CHAPTER XXII. Death on the Cliff — The Bismarck Taken bv Strategy 219 CHAPTER XXIII. The Trial in the Elk Mountain Saloon, wherein the Forcible Nature of Western Arguments is Illustrated — Little Hackett's Speech 22S CHAPTER XXIV. Death of Little Hackett 238 CHAPTER XXV. The Big Strike on the Amazon 250 CHAPTER XXVI. In which Many Old Acquaintances are Renewed 263 CHAPTER XXVII.. A Surprise for the Hacketts, with Things Both Pleasant and Un- pleasant for Mr. Quill Malley 273 CONTENTS. V CHAPTER XXVIII. PAGE. A Disagreeable Revelation — The Feasibility of a Villa on tlie Hudson 282 CHAPTER XXIX. Two Young Ladies Become Acquainted, Whose History is Here- after Connected in Verv Important Events — Quill Malley Transacts Further Business with Mr. Roker, and the Latter Becomes ContiJentiai with Mr. Ingledee. 291 CHAPTER XXX. The Brownell Family Recogniz .■ the United States 299 CHAPTER XXXI. Makinor a United States Senator — Miss Ingledee Accidentally Obtains very Important Information, and Mr. Quill Malley E.vecuies a Urrint 310 CHAPTER XXXII. Misunderstandings — Gridiron Soars 322 CHAPTER XXXIII. Ruin, Utter Ruin, and Disgrace 332 CHAPTER XXXIV. A Friend in Need 342 CHAPTER XXXV. All Things are Easy Because All are Untried. Some Examples of Yankee Thrift 355 CHAPTER XXXVL Mind-Farming and Husband-Painting. 365 CHAPTER XXXVII. Life on the Prairies — Raising Garden " Sass " — A Spell of Weather and a Bottomless Cornfield 373 CHAPTER XXXVin. The Poetrv of Sheep-shearing, Also a Little Backache 383 CHAPTER XXXIX. A Cvclone— How Railroads Divide with the Farmer 392 CHAPTER XL. In which Tom Norwell Concludes that Farming is not Highly Remunerative and Messrs. Tyemming and Miriam Concoct their Greatest Money- Making Scheme 403 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLI. PACK. Which Contains both Good and Bad Report of Familiar Friends — Luck vs. Love — There is Notliing New in Luck, Nothing New in Love ^13 CHAPTER XLIL Arthur Wilson, Esq., Millionaire versus Arthur Wilson, Poor Young Man— The Snickers Exhibit tlie Family Joss ". 424 CHAPTER XLin. Some (Jreat Financiers — How to Retire from Business 4-56 CHAPTER XLIV. In which Miss Ingledee Startles Her Rival, Provokes the Wrath ot Her Father, Dares a Lover, and Becomes an Exile from Home 440 CHAPTER XLV. Mr. Roker Startles Certain Folks Greatly bv His Theory of an Elopement — He Pays a Visit to May Bryce — Death of Silas Ingledee 4152 CHAPTER XLVI. An Unending Conflict 462 CHAPTER XLVII. The Pittsburgh Riots, Fire and Destruction — A Race for Life 470 CHAPTER XLVIII. Mr. Malley Comes out in Style — Atalanta Victorious 479 CHAPTER XLIX. . The Danger Signal 491 CHAPTER L. Mr. Roker Springs a Mine. 501 CHAPTER LI. Face to Face — Love's Appeal to Love — Mr. Quill Malley Exhibits Alarming Symptoms 509 CHAPTER LII. True unto Death 518 CHAPTER LIU. The Shadow that Walked Before 53 1 CHAPTER LIV. A Fading Flower 537 AN IRON CROWN. CHAPTER I. THE STREET OF A THOUSAND PALACES. Fifth Avenue, in the city of New York, though a street of world-wide celebrity, is not wholly pleasing to the eye of a visitor. One soon tires of the sameness exhibited in block after block of imposing brown stone edifices, many of which well deserve the name of palace in the splendor of their costly appointments. Most of the houses in the street are so much alike with their stately stone fronts three and four stories high, plate-glass windows, and massive stone steps leading froin a stone sidewalk which ends a stone-like pave- ment, that the description of one would serve for two-thirds of the houses in the Avenue. On a hot day in summer when this abode of magnificence is well-nigh deserted by its fashionable inhabitants, it is a dreary enough place. The country visitor who has come from far to view the wonders of the great metropolis concerning which he has read and marveled from his earliest recollection, is liable at such a time to think this a very stony sort of gran- deur. The air is parched and oppressive. Above is a trop- ical sun, on either side inhospitable splendor. The closed doors and drawn blinds of these silent abodes of wealth have for the eye of the stranger no more welcome than is found at the door of a deserted cabin in the wilderness. He longs to escape from this sweltering, artificial Sahara. For him Fifth Avenue is a gro?;s delusion and a cheat so far as concerns those pure delights which he imagined were everywhere apparent in that favored locality. By contrast his thoughts seek a comfortable homestead in his own village, where the whitewash on the palings is renewed perennially and the vine clings luxuriant to the trellis, while roses burden the air with a perfume sweeter to his mind than anv far-fetched perfumes of Araby. Or his (7) 8 AN IRON CROWN. thoughts wander further to the long two-story farmhouse with an L and a wide porch running full length. On the porch are homely rocking chairs. In front stately oak, maple, elm or locust trees throw a dense, grateful shade as far as the porch. Beyond is the highway over which a farmer's wagon rattles; at the rear is the orchard where red-cheeked and golden apples shimmer in the hot sun of noonday and the pre- datory woodpecker feasts at will. Our visitor, if thoughtful, will realize that not in Fifth Avenue but in these distant places are the homes of the real American people. If he has just come from the Metropolitan Museum, he cannot but realize a striking similarity between the condition of the lifeless, stony figures in that repository of the relics of a past age and the petrified condition of the Avenue itself, with all its parched belongings. Whether of a philosophical turn of mind or not, he will scarcely remain long in this enormous oven, which needs only a lid to prepare it for baking, at such a season, on such a day. But if the stranger leaves Fifth Avenue with the impres- sion that its inhabitants have really fossilized to be more in keeping with the street, he will make a great mistake. The society butterflies, young and old, are at Saratoga, Newport, the Thousand Islands, the White Mountains, or some other of the many summer resorts which America can boast. These butterflies, of every size and color of wing, industriously flit on the mountain and by the sea. They dance, and bathe, and flirt, and eat, day after day, all summer long. Their painted wings glimmer in the sunbeams like the wings of their dumb namesakes, and apparently with as little purpose. The elderly male butterfly occasionally takes his dyspepsia, and his gold- rimmed spectacles to the city, to watch the gathering of golden nuggets, which must be converted into dust to gild the giddy wings of his progeny. The movements of this elderly male butterfly are a trifle heavy and at times somewhat anxious. In fact, he is not a real butterfly, for his develop- ment is usually arrested at the homely chrysalis condition, which renders the full-fledged, gorgeous-winged wonder a possibility. He is homely but necessary. While this dancing, eating, dallying and assiduous flirting goes on by the mountain, and the sea, the American people, in shop, f;ictory and store, on the farm, in the forest, in the mine, are daily, over millions of square miles, building the greatest and freest nation the world has ever seen. AN IROX CROWN. 9 But to return to Fifth Avenue. These miles of stately structures in brown stone, which have a deep interest to man- kind, because of the fabulous sums necessary to build and maintain them, though much alike externally, differ in their interior appointments as much as their inmates differ in thought, feeling and action. This story has to do with only one of the grandest of them, the exact location of which for obvious reasons will not be made known. On that Septem- ber day some years ago, this palatial residence might have been described as follows: The striking and ornate exterior proclaimed that its owner possessed immense wealth. Nor did it indicate simply vulgar wealth. The chaste architecture of the beautiful front, plainly showed that the architect, at least, was a man of exquisite taste, whatever might be said of the owner. The massive carved front door opened into a large hall, which was in itself as capacious as the whole ground floor in many a house which shelters people of moderate means. This spacious entry was laid with small tiles in beautiful mosaic patterns. For some distance above the floor extended marble panels, in which were to be seen almost every known variety and color of that useful stone, all polished like a mirror. Even stones classed as precious, were here set into the walls in profusion, dazzling the eye with their brilliant reflections. Here lapis- lazuli blended its pleasing hues with malachite. On the walls were sculptured bas-reliefs, the works of master artists. Choice statuar}' reposed in niches, or was placed about the room. Costly bronzes, representing both ancient and modern art, were lodged on brackets, or otherwise placed with artistic effect. On the lofty ceilings in this hall and in the grand saloons, were beautiful frescoes. Richly ornamented gasaliers, whose chaste embellishments reflected the light in many hues, depended from the ceiling. To the right of this grand hall were spacious parlors of unusual dimensions, to the left a library, a picture gallery, the owner's private office, and various smaller rooms. Further to the rear were the family dining-room, the public dining-room, and still beyond, the kitchens. The alcoves of books in fine bindings, the statuary which was in various places, the pic- tures in the gallery and in the parlors, the frescoes on the ceil- ings, all indicated refined and sumptuous tastes on the part of the owner. There was a conspicuous absence of those fan- tastic productions of household adornment whose only recom- lO AN IRON CROWN. mendations are their deformity and uselessness. There were no fragile tables on unsteady legs or consumptive tripods sup- porting inadequate card baskets. The costly center-tables would have supported a roasted ox if necessary. The mas- sive rosewood coat rack in the hall was built for service as well as show. It stood solidly on the marble floor instead of on four griffin's legs, as is sometimes the case, whose uncer- tain and erratic movements make the keeping closed of the front door a necessity, lest the whole machine should some fine day walk into the street and disappear around the corner. It made no difference to that coat rack whether you hung the coat there or the owner of the coat. This palatial abode was the residence of Henry Ingledee, the great railway king. Mr. Ingledee was a man about fifty, and in spite of his long participation in the feverish excitements of Wall street, he showed few gray hairs and fewer lines in his face. This was wholly due to his iron constitution, for he never spared himself any labor, no matter how arduous, provided it brought or seemed likely to bring gold and extend his influence. He was above medium height, strongly built, with well-molded limbs, shapely, sinewy hands and small feet. His hair and complexion were dark, while his eyes were a puzzling con- tradiction between gray and a very dark blue. He had a rather square jaw, a firm mouth, broad high nose with wide nostrils, and heavy eyebrows. His full chest and short neck indicated great animal powers. A well-developed head gave assurance of mental as well as physical power. Mr. Ingledee was a man who would prove a formidable rival, indeed, a dangerous one, in any avocation he might adopt. He was brought up a poor farmer's son, among the hills of Western Alassachusetts. His humble origin, like that of so many men eminent in American history, had no effect in cur- tailing his visions of a different and vastly exalted sphere of action for the future. What that future might be, he knew not; and he was fully as ignorant of the path that might lead to it. W^hile engaged in the daily labor of the farm he con- stantly dreamed of what he would do if he were rich and great. These dreams were so far beyond the petty details of his present life in their splendid proportions that he saved himself the humiliation of ridicule by wisely keej^ing them to himself. Only to his mother did he at times confide a vague purpose " to be something in the world," and she, poor woman, whose life was one continuous round of that tedious AN IRON CROWN. IT drudgery ordinarily incident to the life of a farmer's wife, se- cretly abetted his ambition, though his father " kalkilated noth- in' was so dead sartin' as farmin' ? " Mrs. Ingledcc thought her son might greatly improve his condition in life by teaching school, but he hi his heart despised that unpretentious means of mounting the ladder of fiime. He who would have made a splendid soldier, thought little of the hum-drum occupation of school teaching. Yet, to please his mother, whose worth he understood, and whotn he fully appreciated as his best friend on earth, he tried teaching school one term, at fifteen dollars per month and "board round;" that is, board free of charge by turns with every family in the district. But wealth accumulates slowly at fifteen dollars per month, though his balance sheet showed a gratifying exhibit at the end of the term. Out of the sixty dollars due for four months' salary, fifty-nine dollars and forty cents remained to his credit. The other sixty cents had been expended in paint to make a blackboard in the schoolhouse, the first ever heard of in that neighborhood. At the age of twenty-one, Henry Ingledee left home " to do for himself," as that rather arduous and sometimes very un- certain undertaking was then called. At the age of thirty he was a merchant in an obscure country town in the far West. At the age of fifty he was worth fifty millions, and a railway king of world-wide celebrity. It might have been better for him had he still been a country school teacher; it certainly would have been much better for the country. Besides the father, the Ingledee famil}' consisted of a son and a daughter, the mother having been dead many years. Silas Ingledee, the son, may be described in brief. He in- herited many of his .father's strong traits of character. These, however, were perverted into wrong channels. The young man had never learned the value of money because he had never earned a dollar in his life. But what was infinitely worse, though common enough under the circumstances, he did not know the value of a good name. He sailed around a great deal in the family yacht. He was a young man around town, and spent vast sums of money. His father earnestly protested against these wild dissipations, for he was very anxious to found a family which would go down into history, and this son was the only hope. Silas insisted that the industrial operation known as sowing wild oats, must be undergone by every young man of fortune. 12 AN IRON CROWN, Otherwise what was the use of having money at all ? Some- time he would settle down, enter Wall street, and show the " Governor " ;i thing or two. Meanwhile the Governor, rather anxious to be surprised by the fulfillment of this promise, could only wait and hope that the young man might event- ually come to his senses, or in other words try every folly and get a surfeit. The only question was whether Silas's consti- tution could sustain the herculean task of harvesting such a luxuriant crop of oats. As to the money, there were no fears for that while Mr. Ingledee was alive to take care of it. There was so much of it that the spending would have fully done up a half dozen young men of the period, which is say- ing a great deal for Mr. Ingledee's financial standing. The daughter was a being of a very different stamp. There was nothing at ah remarkable in the fact that she abstained from dissipation, for that a relentless public opinion rightfully denies to women, while tacitly admitting it to be on the whole rather a cute performance on the part of a young man. In this case what is a palatable sauce for the demure young goose is a very insipid condiment for the frisky male bird. The shame belongs to society for tolerating such false notions of right, Chetta Ingledee had grown up without a mother. Her father paid little attention to her, partly because Silas caused many paternal anxieties, but chiefly because she was a girl, and a girl could not perpetuate the name of Ingle- dee, which he fondly hoped would some daj'^ be known still better, and in connection with still greater achievements, pos- sibly in the airena of politics as well as finance, since the rail- way king is always deeply interested in politics. For these reasons Chetta had been allowed to grow up pretty much as she pleased. Her education in books had not been neglected, and her really superior intellect had readily assimilated and mastered all that is supposed to constitute a good education in the com- mon acceptation. She loved music, and had fine attainments in that direction. She despised a smattering of anything, hence, did not dabble in any of the fashionable dillettanteisms of the day. She was a high-spirited girl, who not only loved to have her own way, but had it. Mr. Ingledee looked on with indiflTerence, for he thought her a very good girl, consid- ering that girls were an inferior production of nature, whose •chief mission is to be married, suitably or unsuitably. He knew that her handsome face, fine form, and attractive man- AN IRON CROWN. I3 ners with the potent inducement of princely dowry, would secure her the best husband going at any time. In person Chetta Ingledee resembled her father. She was above the medium height, possessing a better physique than most young women, bred amid the fashionable absurdities which money commands. She had dark hair, liquid black eyes and a clear complexion, the result of vigorous health and abundant exercise. She was not afraid to walk a mile or two, in this respect being totally unlike those fashionable incapa- bles, who will order out the carriage to go two blocks, or stop a street car, if they chance to enter that plebeian conveyance, for one block. Chetta's well-rounded, but prominent chin and full cherry lips, indicated a tendency toward voluptuous tastes. Her rather wide nose, the least bit turned up, indi- cated the same. Altogether, her face would be called handsome, it cer- tainly was striking, especially when her eye assumed a pecu- liar penetrating gaze, which plainly warned the world from attempting to trifle with its possessor. Wealth had not spoiled hei' as it spoils an inferior nature. She despised mere display, was unaffected in manner and kind of heart. As her time and actions were absolutely at her own disposal, this kindness and irrepressible flow of animal spirits caused her to do things, sometimes, which her aristocratic friends called "queer." Had her father been worth only a quarter of a million in lieu of his many millions, these freaks would have been pronounced " singular." Had he been a poor man strug- gling along on one hundred thousand, they would have been called "unladylike," and might have resulted in Chetta's be- ing "cut" by the female plutocrats who make and unmake society. One of these eccentricities was the teaching of a class of ragged boys in a mission school. These urchins consisted of newsboys, ragpickers and the children of the very poorest people — outcasts who, in the midst of the highest civilization, sink through misfortune and improvidence below the level of the savage. CHAPTER II. THE TWINS HAVE A "INVITE INTER HIGH SOCIETY." One morning after a late breakfast, Mr. Ingledee lingered at the table over his paper, hoping to see his son Silas before going down town to the office. He was a hard worker still and put in nearly as many hours per day at the office, as he did when he first began operations in Wall street. Hence the son, who breakfasted late, or oftener failed to take that meal at all through late rising, seldom sipped his coflfee under the parental eye. Silas, who had not appeared for several days, at length entered the room, having received a polite re- quest to that effect, which he facetiously termed an "appoint- ment." He was dressed in a neat morning suit; his linen was in perfect condition but less must be said for the young gentleman himself. His eyes, and the lack of freshness in his complexion, together with a slight tremor of his hand as he opened a letter, plainly indicated wine and very late hours, if by any chronological reversion four or five in the morning can be called late. " Good-morning, father." « Good-morning, Silas," said Mr. Ingledee, peering cau- tiously over the paper, for much as he detested his son's course, he loved him too deeply to hurt his feelings, by even the ap- pearance of scanning his person. " You are almost a stranger at the breakfast table lately." " Yes, society has been rather active for the opening of the season, and if one keeps in the swim, he must naturally con- sume a good deal of time, and some of that time must be squandered in sleep, and that is doubtless the reason of our having a forenoon." He spoke of sleep as if it were a very inconvenient necessity, and added: "You know nothing about all that of course." « Thank heaven I do not! My son, haven't you been in the swim about long enough?" "Oh no," said Silas, making a careless attempt on a muf- (H) AN IRON CROWN. I5 fin. " You know I'm only twenty-two, and at my age a man is good for several years more of this sort of thing." He spoke this in a sneering sort of way, as if it were a light thing for a man to measure out the priceless years of youth which he could devote to sin, estimating them only by his own capac- ity of bodily endurance. And these were the years so preg- nant with future happiness or misery. In youth every day gained is a treasure, every day lost an adder laid away in the bosom. The remark was so deliberate in tone, and showed such an utter lack of any appreciation of the value of true manhood, that, for the first time in his life, Mr. Ingledee's heart sank over the prospects of his son. He had long hoped, remonstrated and waited in vain. The end of all his hopes was now plainly in view unless something could be done soon. While Mr. Ingledee was grieved to the heart, he was also very indignant. He had been brought up in the good old way, which taught that the night was made for sleep and the day for labor. The son believed, or acted as if he believed, that the night was for pleasure, the hardest of all labor, and the day, or part of it, for taking such unrefreshing slumber as could be obtained under these unnatural conditions. It nettled Mr. Ingledee to think that a son of his should so far violate a canon of that common sense which he flattered himself was a family characteristic. It was high time to teach this young man a lesson. He had begun twenty years too late. " Silas, from time to time I have expressed disapproval of your course. I am not pleased with your conduct." " I am sorry, father." This remark was a part of the conventional requirements of etiquette. It meant nothing, and the father knew its emptiness as well as the son. " It is high time you gave less attention to society and champagne suppers and turned to business. I shall fit up an apartment for you in our offices." " That will be quite unnecessary." " I insist upon it," said Mr. Ingledee, showing the least trifle of heat at his son's provoking coolness. " Really, father, I hope you will not press this disagree- able subject. I have often announced my intention of going into the office in due time." "What do you consider due time?" « After I've seen the world." " What will the world say of your conduct, sir? " l6 AN IRON CROWN. "Of my conduct?" replied Silas, with a show of surprise. " I've done nothing extraordinary. If the world thinks about me at all, doubtless it will think my conduct the proper thing for a young man of fortune." With exasperating method, he rang the bell and ordered the servant to take away his cup of coffee which had grown cold, and bring him a fresh one. Mr. Ingledee felt himself beaten. He, the man who had come off victorious in a thousand financial struggles, who had made and unmade scores of men, who had controlled the commerce of entire states with a high hand, who had made a name which had penetrated to every part of the civilized world, he, with his mighty millions, was vanquished by his own son, a boy of twenty-two. But he determined on one more effort: " Is not the society of your own family worth cultivat- ing?" "The society of my family is, I believe, considered unex- ceptionable." "I scarcely ever see you of late; your sister scarcely ever sees you." "Chetta has many fi'iends and her own amusements; she does not seek my society. She is sensible, for why should brother and sister bore each other with commonplace affairs?" As Silas's blunt view of family* relations was the legitimate fruit of all Mr. Ingledee's policy with regard to the useless- ness of a daughter when a family name was to be perpetuated, the father could not well complain. There was a short pause as if neither party to the conversation cared to ventui-e the first remark. After the space of a minute, Silas quietly added : "As to seeing me, father, you know you can always do that by appointment." This was too much for Mr. Ingledee. His wrath was at white heat, though he repressed it, seeing the uselessness of further discussion then. " I shall continue this subject when we have more leisure," saying which he left the room and went directly to that of his daughter, which was an elegant apartment on the second door. He was satisfied that something had gone seriously wrong with the family machinery, and he determined to right it. As Mr. Ingledee knocked at Chetta's door, a sudden shuf- fling noise greeted his ears. After a brief space of time the noises ceased within. He knocked again, when Chetta's cheery, musical voice said, " Come in." Entering, he saw a AN IRON CROWN. 1 7 table spread with substantial food, plentifully garnished with cake, fruits and nuts. At first glance it might have seemed that the young lady had been breakfasting in her own I'oom, although that was improbable, for she always partook of the family breakfast at earlier hours with her father. He paid no attention to the table, thinking she had been entertaining some little girls as she sometimes did. Mr. Ingledee, in his ill-humor, felt like finding fault with his daughter for not ex- erting a more wholesome influence over her wayward brother instead of wasting time on strangers. He unreasonably ex- pected her to take a deep interest in that scapegrace and watch over him with a mother's care (she was nearly two years his senior), while father and son had both systematically neglected the sister, except so far as the formal civilities of everyday life went. "My daughter, 1 wish to speak with you." . " Yes, papa." " It concerns family matters. I am not satisfied with Silas." " Why do you not speak to him ? " " I have done so repeatedly. I have just now been trying to show him the wrong of wasting youth and its infinite pos- sibilities in folly. But he sees things in a different light and, I regret to say, is not inclined to listen to advice." This last admission cost Mr. Ingledee an effort. It disparaged the male scion of the family who was everything, and the very fact of his confiding m his daughter gave some transient im- portance to the female scion, who was only a girl. " What would you have me do, papa? " " Try to have him more in your society. Woman's in- fluence is a potent element in the formation of character." Chetta laughed a little incredulous, half-contemptuous laugh which nettled her father, and added : " My brother has already seen a great deal of woman's society." Mr. Ingledee frowned and replied : " True, but he has as- sociated only with those silly creatures of fashionable society who have neither brains nor healthy instincts." He might have named a worse class of women also, but he stopped short. " I wish you to wield a sister's influence, and, if possi- ble, elevate his social standard." " If he loved a sensible woman she might save him." " Chetta, that is nonsense. The only indication of com- l8 AN IRON CROWN. mon sense that I have seen in the young man is the fact that he has refrained from falling in love." A closer scrutiny of Silas Ingledee's career might have revealed the fact that he w^as too intent on selfish pleasures to fall in love w^ith any- thing but himself and his vices. " Please tell me vv^hat I must do, papa." " Try to keep him at home a little. Interest him in your music. Take him into your set. Go with him oftener." " Papa, he never asked me to go anywhere in his life. He finds more congenial society than that of a sister." This astounding revelation was more than Mr. Ingledee expected, though he knew there was little in common be- tween brother and sister. This aggressive, daring, unscrupu- lous man had for many years been piling his ample vaults full of stocks, bonds and mortgages. He had built up whole sys- tems of railways, and wrecked other systems with as little compunction as he would have felt in crushing a spider. ^Meanwhile he had practically abandoned the domestic helm and had no right to be surprised that the family ship was drifting out of its course. He was very angry, and, conse- quently, unreasonable. " Daughter, it is your own fault that your brother does not seek your society. You should make yourself agreeable to him. He wastes his time in folly and you. waste 3'ours indulging the caprices of an idle, romping girl. This nonsense must be stopped." Chetta's eyes showed a slight gleam of dangerous fire as she replied, " Advise me, papa." " My advice is that you settle down and take your place as the mistress of this house, and devote to domestic duties some of the time you now waste in gadding and nonsense." Chetta was indignant; not at the wish of her father that she should take her place as mistress of the house; that pleased her active temperament, and she had the good sense to real- ize that the wealthiest ladies have domestic duties that can not properly be delegated to hired help; but she was stung to think that her father and natural counselor should accuse her of neglect of duty when he had never shown her a single duty. The charges of gadding and idling were intolerable. She seldom did anything without a purpose, and she despised mere inanity. With the quietest sarcasm she replied, "Papa, you are in a bad humor to-day." Scolding betrays a contemptible weakness of disposition, AN IRON CROWN. I9 and both these persons had too much strength of character to scold. Mr. Ingledee restrained his rising passion. " Chetta, I wish you to change entirely your mode of life, as an example to your brother. You indulge in caprices. I see evidences of that before me. You appear Uy be engaged in charity in breakfasting children in your room." The word appear contained a covert sarcasm in the slight emphasis with which it was uttered. " Papa, you forget. An Ingledee never pretends^'' re- plied Chetta, in a tone that plainly spoke defiance to his implied sneer. No possible i-eply could have touched him quicker. The reference to the Ingledee straight-forwardness, of which he made capital, was a home thrust. " I had hoped so, my daughter, but why do you conceal those persons, whoever they may be? I plainly heard them enter that room." " I conceal nothing. I invited here two boys from my Sunday-school class. They are not used to company, and pei'sisted in running away. That is all." Going to the door she called, " Pipe, come in and see papa." A rare spectacle now met the astonished vision of Mr. Ingledee. From the side door emerged one of those nonde- scripts known as a newsboy. He was about twelve years old, but large and well developed for that age. He wore a man's Prince Albert coat, much the worse for wear, whose ample skirts dangled at his heels. For want of buttons this garment was securely and picturesquely fastened at the waist by a hempen string. A boot which yawned at the toe like the mouth of a cat-fish, and a woman's shoe constituted his foot gear. These, however, were carefully polished, thereby pre- senting a striking contrast to the street-mud brown of his pants. The latter garment had been newly patched with shiny black cloth on the knees, revealing the fact that Pipe Malley had a mother. Concerning the condition of the rear of the useful garment referred to, a modest silence is best, sup- plemented by Mrs. Malley's opinion: "Sure, Pipe, won't the tail av the coat cover them little holes? When they get big enough I'll see what they need." The patches on the knees were the result of considerable importunity on the part of Pipe, the clinching argument in which was that " he had a invite inter high society, and had got to sling on a little style." 20 AN IRON CROWN. Pipe's check shirt, which had been lately washed, in con- sequence of aforesaid invite, was neatly fastened at the throat by a bit of red tape found at a ragpicker's, and the nearest approach Pipe had ever made to a tie. Vest, he had none; socks, he had none. He had made a heroic attempt to wash his face and hands, but the experiment was a partial failure resulting in that streaky appearance which might appropri- ately be termed marbling. This ineffectual attempt, how- ever, gave a somewhat better view of his visage, which had been so long eclipsed. His features were not bad, with the exception of a big mouth and irregular teeth. His pierc- ing black eyes indicated a decided disposition not "to be fooled with," to use one of Pipe's favorite expressions. Mr. Malley had made an abortive attempt to paste his hair down on his forehead after the prevailing fashion of the genus "young gent." Chetta having complimented him on this approach to high art, he replied laconically, " It's mighty expensive, I tell yoti. I done up a ten-cent comb a doirt' up that hair." On the appearance of this apparition amid his own highly I'espectable belongings, Mr. Ingledee's sense of humor got the better of his vexation, and he laughed outright. Pipe, with the assurance acquired in his calling, advanced to the center of the room and awaited developments. " Papa, this is one of mv Sunday-school boys, Mr. Pipe Malley." The Pipe before her was so much superior to the Pipe she had first known some months before, that she was actually proud of him. Mr. Ingledee's quick perceptions noticed this, but instead of feeling pleasure in the thought that his daughter was will- ing to endure a little trouble to advance the happiness of others, he regretted that her missionTlry efforts had not been expended at home in advancing the interests of the male In- gledees. " You have a good teacher. Pipe." " Bet yer boots — I mean yes, sir," said Pipe, with a dismal attempt at a bow, which consisted in scraping the cat-fish- jawed boot backward on the floor and twisting his body in that direction. This acrobatic feat made it impossible for him to face Mr. Ingledee. As Pipe had only one boot, the odds of the proposed wager would have been greatly in his favor. Chetta and Mr. Ingledee both laughed in spite of themselves. AN IRON CROWN. 21 "It is hard to avoid that expression, isn't it, Pipe," said Chetta, good-naturedly, trying to reassure him. " You bet it is," replied Pipe, whose assurance had all vanished amid these strange surroundings, and for the first time in his life he was hopelessly embarassed. Say only, "Yes sir, ayd yes ma'am." " I forgot — I beg parding." "Where is Quill?" " He wouldn't come out o' that room. He's a goose." Mr. Ingledee, to reassure the boy, asked; "Is it your brother who is in that room ? " " Yes sir, I'm twins." "Oh, indeed! Chetta, call him." Chetta, going to the door, brought out Quill Malley, who had been industriously devouring a pocket full of nuts and cake taken from the table on the first alarm. Quill's mouth l)eing full to repletion, the excitement of the occasion caused some of the food to stick in his windpipe, when a very animated fit of coughing ensued. Pipe promptly administered the heroic remedy of pounding him on the back with the seasonable advice: " Brace up, and don't give yerself away before the govenor." Quill was the exact counterpart of Pipe, though a scar on the cheek, which the latter acquired in a street fight, furnished a ready means of telling them apart. Quill's dress was less pretentious. Pipe had confidentially remarked to Chetta over his coffee: "There's no use in Quill tryin' to catch onto the style; it ain't in him." His personal appearance seemed to justify this observation. A very inadequate jacket which Pipe had cast off as too small, struggled vainly to cover the upper portion of Quill's person. His pants were much the same as Pipe's, because the same street mud had furnished color for both. One striking differ- ence was apparent. They had holes in the knees, but were patched roughly but strongly behind with the same shiny black cloth which adorned Pipe's knees. Mrs. Malley, with timely investigation, had discovered that owing to the shortness of Quill's jacket patches on the rear of his pants might in " high society" be considered a necessity; whereas, patching the knees must be considered in the light of a luxury. Quill wore shoes which were so large that they clattered up and down at every step and were constantly being lost in the excitement of running down a customer. His attempt at wasliing had been still more unsuccessful than Pipe's. As to combing his head 22 AN IRON CROWN. that part of Quill's toilet had been entirely neglected probably from no fault of his, but from the fact that Pipe, who was al- ways first in everything, and in the family vernacular " ruled the roost," had "done up " the family comb. " Speak up, Quill, and don't make a guy of yerself s' if ye had never seen nothin'." As Quill, had never seen anything like his present surroundings where a real "governor" was thrown in gratis, his astonishment could only be suitably ex- pressed by a prolonged stare. Language was to him utterly inadequate. The absurdity of the situation had at first amused Mr. In- gledee. But this millionaire, who was none too scrupulous in his great undertakings, thought, like most people in every rank of life, that it was best at times to be a stickler after lit- tle things. This weakness of mankind is one of the surest tests of character. Only a little soul will haggle over little things. Mr. Ingledee, the many fold millionaire, who al- most swayed the finances of a continent, and who played with railway systems, as the angler plays with a struggling fish before landing him, had, with all his force of character, an exceedingly small soul animated by unworthy and ungenerous motives. He was the very incarnation of selfishness which is perhaps the most despicable of human vices. He lived, toiled and dreamed to pile up more millions, no matter how, and to keep them all in the family in the person of a worth- less son. This moiling money-king might have given a thou- sand or two in charity any day, because other people gave, and because it was right to aid the worthy poor, but it was not the proper thing to have dirty newsboys and ragpickers feasting amid the splendors of the Ingledee mansion. « Chetta," he said, with deliberation, " I am shocked at your low tastes. This sort of thing may do at the mission school, though it might better be left to others entirely. Could you not amuse yourself in some way consistent with womanly dignity? Almsgiving is very well, but such per- sons should be attended to at the kitchen door." This thrust touched Chetta's pride. " Papa, you are mistaken. These boys are not here seek- ing alms. They belong to my Sunday-school class. They probably wei'e never invited anywhere before in their lives, and I wished to give them a treat. They are human be- ings. Is there anvthing unwomanly in having a human feel- ing?" AN IRON CROWN. 23 " Certainly not, my daughter, but it should be exercised with discretion." " Upon rich people who don't need it, I suppose? " " As I said, the giving of alms is very necessary, but bring- ing tramps and beggars to the private table is another matter. It displeases me, and I hope it will never occur again." So saying, Mr. Ingledee walked from the room. The matter which had all at once so ruffled his sense of dignity, might have occurred fifty times without his knowing it, thanks to his neglect of family affairs. Pipe Malley, who was really a lad of high spirit, had swallowed the allusion to beggars with a very bad grace. In fact, he was on the 'point of replying to the taunt when a warning look from Chetta prevented the execution of his in- tention. Quill, who cared for nothing else, while there was plenty to eat handy, was furtively consuming vast quantities of jelly cake. His efforts in that direction, though arduous, could not keep pace with his desires, and he aided his inade- quate powers by occasionally straightening up his neck after the manner of a chicken swallowing dry meal. Pipe, happen- ing to turn around toward the table, brought the zealous ef- forts of his brother to an abrupt close. Like many fond rela- tives, when they wish to say something particularly disagree- able he saw a chance to work off his ill-humor on his own blood. " Quill, wot yer doin' ? Leaf go that cake. Hain't yer no manners? Ye act as if ye'd never been in company afore." In justification of Quill it must be admitted that his experi- ences in company were rather limited. The only occasion on which he had ever been invited out was years before, when his mother took tea with one Mrs. Riley, washerwoman. The twins, being offender age, were necessarily included in the invitation. They played in the alley with Patsey Riley, while the mysterious process of tea went on, receiving each a huge slice of bread and butter and the drumstick of a chicken, at the back door, to stay a clamorous appetite until the second table was ready. Quill knew his brother too well to disobey a wish so explicitly put, and, though he was full to the nose, abandoned the table with a look of fond regret. Chetta now delicately intimated to the twins that she would show them out. As they were on the stairs, the street bell rang and the servant handed her a card inscribed, " Thomas Norvvell." 24 AN IRON CROWN. " Show Mr. Norwell in." Tom Norwell was a very old friend of Chetta's, who was privileged to call at any time. Being the son of a wealthy man he was a young gentleman of leisure, and as the even- ings both of himself and Chetta were usually taken up by some society event, he had acquired the habit of making short calls during the day, and not infrequently in the forenoon. As Chetta was an early ,riser, there was no difficulty in find- ing her at home. Quill, on hearing the front door open, be- came panic stricken. He feared that the governor was returning, and had serious doubts as to what might be the in- tentions of that worthy should he discover this undesirable company still on his premises. Quill t^iought it best to beat a hasty retreat, and remembering that he came in the back way, determined to go out at the rear, as involving less pub- licity. He bolted back through the hallway, and in his precipi- tation lost one shoe, exposing a chocolate-colored foot. A shoe was not to be considered when personal safety was involved, and Quill kept on till his flight abruptly terminated in a small sitting-room at the end of the hall. Tom Norwell laughed heartily, but Chetta had seen so many freaks of the twins that it caused her no surprise. "Miss Ingledee, are you training a circus troupe?" " No, Mr. Norwell, I've had some company to a quiet breakfast — two of my class." " Ah, delightfully original company, I should say." "Very! I take great interest in studying chai'acters so different from any I have been accustomed to." PijDC M alley's sense of family dignity was again outraged by Quill's conduct. Making a run after the fugitive he brought him back triumphantly by the collar. " Come up and be interduced. Wot ye runnin' away fur? An' one shoe off, too! I'm ashamed of ye, I am. I'll never make nothin' o' you." The shoe was replaced by the humiliated and silent Quill, and the twins formed in line to be introduced. "Mr; Norwell, allow me to introduce Mr, Pipe Malley, Mr. Quill Malley." Pipe drew back the cat fish boot much as the leg of a com- pass would move, and twisted his body stiffly to the right, at the same time nudging Quill, who, not having fully recovered from his panic, ducked his head several times excitedly, his actions resembline those of a eoose in a hail storm. Of AN IRON CROWN. 25 course he overdid it, and Pipe was again mortified. He felt called upon to apolo2;ize for Quill. " Miss Ingledee, if you please, ma'am, Quill is sort o' broke up. He ain't used to this kind o' thing, but I guess he'll come out all right." Chetta kindly replied that she thought he would come out, while Quill mentally resolved he'd never come out again if he knew it. Like many other resolves of loftier purpose, this one was broken. It afterward went to pieces under the seductive influences of ice-cream and jelly cake. Clietta di- rected the servant to show out the twins, while she herself led the way into the parlor. CHAPTER in. THE MORAL ASPECTS OF A DOLLAR. Mr. Norwell, Tom's father, lived in an aristocratic neigh- borhood on one of the up-tovvn cross streets, and near Fifth avenue. The fiimily mansion was a large, old-fashioned, red- brick house of homely exterior. Lest the impression may prevail from this statement that it was built by the Dutch set- tlers, the reader is reminded that people often go out of fash- ion in America in one year, houses in from two to ten. Nothing in its outwaid appearance distinguished it from doz- ens of other houses in that vicinity. Within, all its appoint- ments showed it to be the home of a family of abundant means and excellent taste. The heavy carpets sank under the feet like the velvety moss in a deep forest. Costly pic- tures by artists of note adorned the walls of the spacious par- lors and reception rooms. The library contained a large collection of valuable books selected, however, more with reference to their intrinsic worth than to rarity or the acci- dental merit of historical interest. Mr. Norwell had made a fortune as a manufacturer, and some five years before the date at which this story begins, had retired from business to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was a gentleman in the widest sense of the term. His intellectual faculties were decidedly above the average, and he passed for a well-informed man. But his wealth was the result more of a 26 AN IRON CROWN. fortunate combination of circumstances tlian from any remark- able degree of foresight, though he was a hard-working, care- ful man. A lucky hit in the manufacture of a certain line of popular goods, by a process hard to imitate, had made his for- tune almost to his surprise. Soon after Mr. Norwell's retirement from business, his wife died, and the family now consisted of himself, his son Tom, and a daughter, Alice. Tom was a big, hearty, good- humored fellow, six feet high, with a fine figure. His light hair was slightly inclined to curl. His eyes were a light blue, full of tenderness and expression. His well-developed chin was smoothly shaven, and his full lips parted, or had a ten- dency to part very slightly, indicating a love of pleasure and a lack of firmness. His nose was clearly cut and his forehead prominent, indicating more than average brain power. His flow of animal spirits, resulting from exuberant health, in- clined him to an activity and restlessness scarcely to be ex- pected in a young man whose only mission is to inherit and spend his father's money. Tom was so generous and so good natured that everybody liked him. He was the beau ideal of the ladies, for he possessed those qualities which, combined with youth and a handsome person, invariably make captive the female heart. Alice Norwell was slightly above the medium height and had little resemblance to her brother. She had brown hair, a clear, beautiful brown eye, that carried conviction of honesty in its steady open expression, mouth rather large, lips clear cut but not full. Her mouth, which closed firmly when in repose, indicated decision and steadiness of purpose. Her delicately chiseled nose was large and inclined somewhat to the Roman type, with a good breadth of nostril. There was not the fraction of a grain of superfluous flesh about that very expressive adjunct to the human countenance. The forehead was rather too prominent to be considered beautiful in a woman. A prominent but well-rounded chin, the oval out- line of the face and a pleasing expression saved their possessor from being called homely. Her expression was one of thought- fulness and kindly interest. Alice Norwell could not be called a handsome woman, yet the most fastidious connoisseur of female beauty would never have thought of calling her homely. She was a woman who could entertain intelligent people on most subjects, yet was no blue stocking. The young man of the period (I mean AN IRON CROWN. 2^ the society young man who thinks the mission of the race is to waltz) would care Httle for her from the fiict that the pitia- ble occupation of a fop disqualifies him from discriminating between the intellectual diamond and a very shabby paste imi- tation. His tastes all incline him toward the latter by a spe- cies of instinct, just as his wit never soars above a pun. This, doubtless, is in accordance with nature's universal law, that like always produces or selects like. Miss Norwell understood all the recreations of high society. She danced well, she skated, she played a capital game of whist; if courtesy required it she could talk airy nothings after the fashion of the most assiduous prattlers, though she always reckoned time spent in such conversation, if conversation it may be called, as practically lost, so far as any useful purpose is concerned. She recognized one tangi- ble result, the negative satisfaction that such exercise teaches us how silly mankind may become, and shows us, if we are not hopelessly sense blind, to avoid such depths of garrulous idiocy. One thing she could not do, she could not flirt. Though con- scious of her power of pleasing many men, she confined that power to its legitimate scope. She looked on that enticing social game in which the stakes are hearts (often the property of some one else) in its true light, as a social sin. For this and other reasons she looked upon Chetta Ingledee with secret mistrust, for she thought she discovered in that eccentric young lady a dispo- sition to flirt, and worst of all, to flirt with her brother Tom. This was the cause of a growing dislike toward Chetta. For one woman to forage on the social or domestic preserves of another, brothers included in a lesser degree, is always an unpardonable oflTence in the eyes of that other. Alice had too much good sense to precipitate a rupture on insufficient grounds. Hence, the families of Ingledee and Norwell were still on good terms, in spite of the fact that Mr. Ingledee was a rising money king, with a great many millions, and Mr. Norwell a poor man with only two or three millions, and two children to support in the bargain. At the present time there was visiting the familv a young man, Arthur Wilson, who was the son of one of Mr. Nor- wcll's old friends. His father had been brought up in the same neighborhood in New York State, in which Mr. Nor- well lived when a boy. The latter had at an early age, come to the city to seek his fortune, and now the son of his former 28 AN IROX CROWN. friend, released from the ties of his native place by the death of his parents, had pursued the same course. As Arthur Wilson plays a very important part in this his- tory, the reader may as well know at once what manner of man he was. He was about twenty-two years of age, which perhaps is the most interesting period in the life of a man, potent as it is with unmeasured possibilities for good or evil. It is the age at which the springing powers of nature assert themselves in full force, and the youthful mind possesses a confidence which can be measured only by its inexperience. The young man is now freed from paternal restraint, and his self-conceit springs full armed like Minerva from the head of Jove. He thinks it the proper thing to have opinions on every subject, and very decided ones too. He imagines it enhances his social importance to be a little reckless, and occasionally he shocks his friends by fostering skepticism at the period when he begins to nurture a moustache. If home restraints have been irksome he is liable, in his new found liberty to gravitate dangerously near the opposite extreme of the social plane, and undo in a few years or months, the result of many years of anxious but mistaken parental care. On the other hand, no matter how aimless his life, if not criminal, the exuberant impulses of youth may be diverted into wholesome channels, and the scapegrace boy become the corner-stone of society as a man. It was greatly in young Wilson's favor tliat he had been obliged to earn his own living. No school is so wholesome and efficient as the school of respectable poverty. The ardu- ous labor and wholesome fare of farm life, had developed a physical and mental structure, which was a splendid capital in itself to begin life on. In person he was five feet eight, stoutly built with broad chest, and firm, well-turned limbs. He had very thick light hair, which inclined to stand up and straggle in defiance of propriety and comb. He had a keen gray eye, .Grecian nose, firm mouth inclined to humor and a wide, round chin. He possessed a vigorous, well-trained will power, and large conscientiouness combined with a becoming dignity. A self-esteem which might have become obnoxious, under un- favorable conditions, had been well toned down under the hard knocks of adverse fortune. He had learned early, that it is hard for a poor boy to indulge in the pyrotechnic display, vulgarly known as setting the world on fire. " Then you have determined definitely to settle in the city, AN IRON CROWN. 29 Arthur?" said Mr. Norwell, as the family and their jjucst sat at breakfast. " Yes, it seems to me the countr}' afforcls very poor oppor- tunities for rising in the world. Father worked hard all his hfe on his little farm and then died poor." "Yet you always hail enough to eat and wear, and some good books to read ?" " Oh yes, we always had plenty of those things, but I hardly call that living." " When a man goes beyond the necessaries and homely comforts of life, his wants are only a question of purse, incli- nation and caprice. It is just as easy, my boy, to spend twenty thousand per year as five thousand, and be no better ofTfor it, too." " I should like to be able to try it for awhile," said Wilson. " I should get a great deal of fun out of it I'm sure," added Tom. "And do a great many foolish things no doubt, Thomas," retorted Mr. Norwell. " I see Arthur, you have the orthodox American idea, that a man without money is hardly worth considering. It is a fallacy; honest poverty is infinitely more honorable than ill-gotten or criminally gotten wealth." " A poor man is all well enough," said Tom, " but you know very well he amounts to nothing nowadays." " That is from the rich man's standpoint," quietly replied Alice. "From any standpoint you choose. I mean to make a for- tune early in life." " It is hard work, Thomas, and usually it does not come early," said Mr. Norwell. "You will have a competence if you only take care of it. As a rule the mere drudgery, rivalry, and selfishness necessary to acquiring a fortune, crush out most of the desirable qualities of manhood, and render the attainment of a high ideal impossible. Arthur, my advice is go back to the country. You may never be a rich man, but you will always be sure of honor and a competence by rea- sonable effort. The country is nature's smiling workshop, the city is a vast treadmill, where every toiler is a beast of burden chained to his post. In the country the self-respecting poor man is an esteemed member of societ}-. The alluring pleasures of city society are not for the poor man, nor even for the man of moderate means. You have read \vith envy doubt- less, of the brilliant receptions, balls and doings of the gay in- 30 AN IRON CROWN. habitants of Gotham. The people who can afford all that are a small number compared with the toiling thousands. Onl}' a golden key will unlock the doors of these abodes of elegant pleasure, and then you will find them vanity and dis- appointment. It's hard work, and the game isn't worth the candle. Stick to the country." " Father, this vanity you speak of is a very popular one at least. I intend to show Arthur some of it." "And I'll show him its silliness," added Alice. "You needn't think, Tom, you are going to monopolize our guest." "He has no notion to try your philosophy now, sister. Have you, Wilson ?" "I should be glad to study all phases of city life, and I flatter myself that my wish may be gratified under such com- petent guidance as that of yourself and Miss Norwell." " If you really conclude to try your fortune here," said Mr. Norwell, " I- think I can get you something to do. I have shown you the worst side to begin on, you know." " And it seems to me you have stated it very unfairly," added Tom. " Look at the vast fortunes made in cities. Look at Mr. Ophir, your old friend." " Thomas, there is only one Ophir." In explanation it may be said that Mr. Ophir had also sprung from a farmer's family. He, while a boy, had quitted the farm and after en- gaging in various respectable occupations, had finally gravi- tated to the level of a railroad-stock manipulator with the most unexampled success. He now owned more railroads than his own poor old father had ever owned cows. "Where there is one Ophir, there may be two." " I hope not, Thoinas; one is quite sufficient. In fact, I think the country would be better off if none had ever existed." " Look at Ingledee, too." "Tom," Alice quietly interposed, "your examples are far fetched and absurd. Mr. Wilson certainly would not think of engaging in any business subject to such fluctuations and .uncertainties as stock gambling. Nobody would." " Plenty of people do," replied Tom. " There is stacks of money to be made in Wall street, and I shall enter it myself some day." " Better keep out, my son. It is all a lottery, and the best of them go to the wall sooner or later. Money won unfairly always proves a curse to its possessor. The trite adage, Money is the root of all evil, is a trite falsehood. Money earned in AN IRON CROWN. 31 legitimate ways is, if I may employ such a figure, preserved labor. We take a portion of it from our store, and use it when needed, as we would use a can of fruit preserved for a similar purpose. If labor be man's chiefest blessing, then such money is wholly a blessing, for it is only another form of labor." " It is the money we are after nowadays, father, and if we can make in Wall street in a few days what formerly %-e- quired years of toil, what is the odds, so we have the money ?" "You forget, Thomas, that the moral influences pertain- ing to a dollar are of infinitely greater value than the dollar itself." The moral aspect of a dollar! Tom laughed heartily at the idea. This young man had been taught to attend church regularly, and to pray at his mother's knee as a child. He had handled many dollars and spent still more, but here was presented a new and totally unexpected aspect of this useful and exceedingly attractive coin. The moral aspects of a dollar! He was inclined to jocularity, and laughed again. " Father, when I find an unusually moral dollar I intend to take it into Wall street as a curiosity." " Go into the street as an operator and get out with sound morals, and you will have accomplished the same object," said Mr. Norwell drily. " Remember, Tom," said Wilson, " that a waste of morals accompanies a waste of dollars." " So on our explorations, we'll save both," added Tom. " The idea of two young men seeing New York under such parsimonious conditions," observed Alice satirically. "By the way, father," queried Tom, "have you made any ar- rangements with Mr. Ophir yet, concerning those Continental and Pacific bonds and stocks? From all appearances they are the best thing ever offered to the public." " I shall see him to-day about the matter. Ophir is very sure that they are just what I want for permanent invest- ment." " Papa, have you never thought that Mr. Ophir is himself the leader in Wall street? " " Certainly, Alice. I also remember that he is my old personal friend; that I have helped him out of many a diffi- culty in the old days, and that he has helped me more than once. I can rely on John Ophir, though others have cause of complaint. Now, children," said Mr. Norwell, rising from 32 AX IKON CROWN. the table, " I shall expect you to make Mr. Wilson feel at home. Your forces are ample for the occasion. In seeing New York as it is, you will not need the aid of an old-fash- ioned chap like me." "I shall draw on you unsparingly, nevertheless," said Arthur, with a pleasant smile. " We two can get along famously,'' Tom added, thought- lessly, forgetting that he had a sister. That sister had no notion of being quietly ignored in tha« fashion. With a quizzical glance which rebuked Tom's thoughtlessness, she asked: " May I not offer my assistance? " " I shall be only to glad to accept it," Wilson replied, he- fore Tom could say a word. The company now broke up. Tom and Arthur took a run around town where everything was new to the latter. Mr. Nor well ordered his carriage with a view to driving down town, and interviewing Mr. Ophir. CHAPTER IV. SOWING THE WIND. That great man, Ophir, so great in notoriety, was not a striking personage to behold. He was not above medium size. His head was large and long, both literally and figu- ratively. His quick, restless gray eye which v^^as shaded by a queer, spiny-looking brow, was as pitiless as a serpent's, and betrayed no more emotion than does the eye of a tish. Its calm deliberate gaze revealed no secrets, while you instinct- ively felt that it read your thoughts. His nose was long and sharp; his chin slightly turned up to meet it; his face was covered by a thick black beard carefully trimmed. Mr. Ophir was plainly dressed in a neat business suit of brown cassimere. Beyond a heavy gold w^atch and chain, he w^ore no jewelry whatever. Mr. Ophir had other more effec- tive ways of advertisi^jig himself than the cheap one of showy, dress. His ofhce and its furniture were in keeping with the man. A serviceable carpet covered the floor. A very large wal- nut desk, which had a multiplicity of pigeon-holes, numerous letter files, a few comfortable chairs, and a bookcase contain- AN IRON CROWN. 33 ing chiefly volumes ot statistics, commercial reports and neces- sary works of reference, constituted the furniture. Over his desk was a beautiful model of his fast-sailing steam yacht, one of the fastest ever built, and in every way the pride of a man who controlled so much steam in an age of steam. Every- thing in the office was substantial, and all, including the yacht which represented a gigantic advertisement, subserved one object — business. Mr. Ophir had been a country boy. He knew what pov- •erty was and he knew what hard work was. Though his -wealth was variously estimated at from fifty to seventy-five millions, he was to be found at his desk in his private office, or closeted with his brokers in the vicinity during business hours most of the time, unless when absent from the city looking after his numerous great railway properties. He was still in fact a hard worker though so very rich, and it was a common remark among his clerks that he could accomplish more work in a given time under pressure than any man among them. The instinct of accumulation is an appetite that never feels satiet}^, but whets on a surfeit of food. Coupled with ambition, it drove this delving slave daily to the task of piling his great pyramid a little higher. The strain upon the great stock operator, or gambler, if the reader prefers the plainer term, during periods of un- usual excitement in the markets, is something tremendous and almost inconceivable to the uninitiated. With immense inter- ests at stake, perhaps mounting into millions, and the possi- bility that the fluctuations of a day or even an hour may make or unmake fortunes, the strain upon the human ma- chines involved in these tremendous operations is something terrific. Compared with life at such a time the existence of the galley-slave may be envied. He, poor wretch, feels that whatever may happen, nothing worse can befall him while the dealer in "options" may be compelled to sit down, not calmly, for that is impossible, but despairingly, and see a re- morseless turn of the market consume his fortune to the last penny. Nay, it does not always stop there, but often leaves the mis- erable incubus of a debt which he can never repay. He may kiss his smiling wife and prattling babes a fond adieu in the morning, with the self-satisfaction of a man worth one hun- dred thousand dollars, and at night drag his wretched steps through the door of his beautiful home with a debt of one 34 AN IRON CROWN. hundred thousand dollars. There is to him sometimes one of those compensations with which nature alleviates nearly every great evil. The very character of his operations often so deadens his finer sense of honor, if he ever had any, that he looks with indifference on the debt remaining and reserves his laments for the money gone forever. Speculation is a hideous cancer on modern civilization, that eats up not only bodily substance, but honor as well. ]Mr. Ophir was a man among millions for the business. A great nation of fifty millions, fortunately, has produced but four or five like him, and none so successful. He often lost, as a matter of course, but he did not whine over his losses. In- stead, he quietly and warily laid his plans for accomplishing that anatomic feat surgically known in Wall street as " taking the hides" of his opponents. Another of nature's compensa- tions may here be remarked. Wall street operators, like eels, are used to being skinned. The country, though pretty well used to it," too, shows symptoms of raising serious ob- jections. ' As JSIr. Norwell entered the corridor of the building in which Ophir's offices were situated, he noticed a powerful Italian lounging about without any apparent purpose. This fellow was a giant in build, with the strength of an ox, and the dangerous stealth of a tiger. He carefully scanned each visitor, though appearing to see nothing, out of little coal- black eyes hid under shaggy brows. Mr. Norwell presented his card to the usher, who, seeing Ophir's well-known signa- ture, naming an appointment at the hour which had just struck, at once admitted him to the presence of the great Ophir. At the same time the bmly Italian quietly slipped in- to the outer reception-room, and seating himself, industriously read a paper. Who was this mysterious man? Only Mr. Ophir's shadow — a very substantial one, who followed him everywhere, lest some of the aforesaid gentlemen whose cuti- cle had been removed, perhaps with insufficient gentleness, should offer the anatomist personal attentions of an unpleasant nature. Such is the divinity that hedges round a railway king. Ophir greeted his old friend with great cordiality. " Good-morning, Norwell. How are you?" « Fn-st rate, Ophir, first rate." " I'm glad to see you. I envy your hap])incss since you re- tired from business. For old friends we see little of each other." AN IRON CROWN. 35 " I am sorry for that, too, Ophir, for after all there are no friends quite so near as early friends." " Yes, it takes twenty years to make a friend, and old fel- lows like ourselves haven't the time. We make only ac- quaintances." " Why don't you retire from business, too, and take life easy. You have money enough." " In my position that is very hard to do. Of coui'se I care nothing for more money. But the love of the business grows, and really I think I see opportunity for two or three crown- ing achievements yet before I quit. But," he added abruptly, " we are wasting time. You wanted information concerning: Continental and Pacific, I believe?" " Yes, and I have called on you as an old friend for inside facts. Is it a good thing and a safe thing?" " It is the best thing in the market. As an evidence of my faith in it, I will say that I control nearly a third of the whole stock, and own a' very large holding 6f its bonds. Chrysolite is also largely interested. I will give you a few details. As you are aware the government grants us a large bonus in bonds. In the mountain portions this bonus is doubled, and for one hundred and fifty miles over the crest trebled." Mr. Ophir added with refreshing naivete, "We hope to be able to get a bill through Congress authorizing us to issue our own bonds for at least an equal amount, giving them pre- cedence over the government lien as a first mortgage on the road. We shall also try to get the land grant doubled. This bill, of course, is not absolutely certain to pass, but we hope to convince Congress of the desirability of such action." The private arguments employed to influence Congress- men by Mr. Ophir and his fellow-conspirators of the Midland Pacific, are a matter of surmise, almost reaching proof posi- tive; that they carried their point is a matter of history. The new bill passed in due time, and by its provisions many mil- lions of dollars and several additional million acres of land were absolutely given to these great corporations. Mr. Nor- well thought he was beginning to see inside facts. It may be remarked here, though a rather obvious deduc- tion, that when a man in such cases applies for " inside" facts with the previous belief that there may be money made from such knowledge, he has taken the first step toward reconcil- ing himself to those facts, and, indeed, toward getting on the inside himself as speedily as possible. Mr. Norwell had no 36 AN IRON CROWN. dishonorable motive wliatever. He would have scorned to take advantage of any one. It had merely been hinted to him that some one was going to make a great deal of money out of this colossal railway enterprise. If it was to be made, and he could do it legitimately, he would take his share. But he was hardly prepared for so refreshing a statement of the case. He had some questions to ask. Mr. Ophir, who seldom mistook his man, was ready to answer: " May not the opposition in Congress inquire into this matter? What will the papers say? " " Doubtless there will be some debate in Congress, and some objections. There always are. But the people will not understand the question any further than that there was a great deal of speech-making." Such, it must be confessed, is too often the case. The people think that the Honorable Blank had a very lively tilt with the Honorable Shank, whose ob- struction tactics became disagreeable, and that Blank effect- ively sat upon Shank, completely demoralizing the opposition, to Blank's great credit as a patriot and a statesman. That is all the people usually know about the matter, or care either. "As to the papers," continued Ophir, " that is managed very easily. The country papers take their cue from the great city dailies. I think I can ls;eep things all smooth through'my in- fluence with the Daily Planet. In fact, I don't mind telling you confidentially that I own a majority of the stock of the Planet." "Oh, I see! The Planet will puff the Continental and Pacific, and the public will swallow the puff." " That's about it, only the articles relating to this great national highway will be too solid, and well written to be de- scribed by the somewhat objectionable term you have just ap- plied to them. The staff of the Planet are men of brains. The argument which will be relied on chiefly, is the obvious fact that our road is a great national necessit}'." Mr. Ophir used the pronoun our^ referring to this " great national neces- sity," much as if he had been referring to his house or his children. He was furtively putting salt on the tail of this magnificent bird, the C. & P., and hoped some time to have him securely in his own private cage. " Ophir, who has charge of your interests in Congress? " "The Honorable Dave Sawder." (The Hon. Dave was member for one of the city districts.) "He is just the man. We can rely on him to carry the measure through. He is AN IRON CROWN. 37 very popular with the people, chiefly through his scathing at- tacks on the minority. This alone will just now insure his influence with the majority. The minority never fail to put their heads in the noose. All they need to hang themselves, is plenty of rope. That, Sawder and two or three others will pay out liberally. But while he lashes the opposition merci- lessly in public he is on very good terms with some of them in private. His motto is, ' Votes, not men.' " " I for one, and, in fact, I think nearly everybody look on this road as a necessity. Then, why is so much wire pulling necessary to get it through?" "Norwell, the difticulty is this. While all agree that the road is a necessity there are differences of opinion, honest dif- ferences, understand," he added, with childlike simplicity, "about the amount of bonds to be granted and the extent of the land grant, the repayment of the subsidy, etc., etc. These latter points are what we must look to. You see — and this is strictly inside information in confidence — we figure that the amount of bonds granted by the government, together with our own authorized bonds, will about build the road, leaving us all the stock of the company and the lands free. Sawder, with two or three other reliable men in the House, will, with Senator Sublet and others in the Senate, see to the passage of this measure, whereby the government will be a deferred creditor, instead of sole-preferred creditor, as arranged in the original act. Now this is the point of most interest to us. When the amended act is passed, as it certainly will, our fifty to sixty millions of stock will jump well coward par at once, and as the government builds the road for us, we have the stock and some ten to fifteen million acres of public lands for nothing.* Isn't that a pretty good thing?" It would have been a very unreasonable man who would have complained of such a thing. Ophir added, " But these are strictly inside facts in confidence, Norwell." It was useless to reiterate this caution; Norwell was him- self on the inside now. After a long life of rectitude and hon- orable business enterprise, his own weak spot was touched. Such a weak spot exists in every man, though some escape probing. Mr. Norwell saw that a scheme was afoot to make a great deal of money out of the public. He knew that such schemes were nearly sure to go through at that particular ♦See extract from Senator Booth's speech, Note 2. 38 AN IRON CROWN. time, when the public attention was attracted toward the great struggle of the nation for existence. He realized that a wrong was to be done, but also realized that any influence he could bring to bear would be as futile as an attempt to fly a kite in a cyclone. Why not make some money out of it? He would do it. With none of Ophir's reckless disregard of public rights, he still had misgivings. *' Ophir, will the public stand this thing?" "The public are d — d fools!" " Granting that, will they not some time awake from their lethargy when the facts are known? " " Possibly, but that will not be soon. Meantime ten years is all we want to get out of the market. While times are good, and everybody making money, who cares to inquire hoiJO it is made, so long as he gets plenty." « I think there will be a day pf reckoning." " Not soon. This plan of railroad building (Ophir spoke of it as if it had been a great benevolent scheme instead of a co- lossal infamy) is in its infancy. I think there will be twenty years of it, but ten or even five will enable us to get from, under." Then Mr. Ophir diverted the conversation for a mo- ment by telling a little story by way of illustration. " Norwell, do you remember Bob Snodgrass who used to go to school in our old home district?" " Perfectly well! His red hair stuck out like a feather duster, and looked like the rising sun in a hazy December morning." " Yes," replied Ophir, laughing, "and you also remember that old teacher by the name of Hixon ?" "Yes, thin as a shingle." « And used to wear two pairs of spectacles sometime";, one pair forgotten on his forehead, and another pair on duty." "And a huge mouse-colored neckcloth which made him look as if he had tried to hang himself with the bedquilt, and had been cut down before the act was accomplished." " Yes, yes. Well, you know Bob Snodgrass used to worry that old man till life was a burden to him. He put a sucking pig into Hixon's desk ; he drew uncomplimentary pictures of the master on the blackboard; he shut a big dog under the floor. The dog's scratching and panting scared the little folks nearly into fits. Remember that?" "I remember it alL" AN IRO>J CROWN. 39 "Well, you know, Bob used to keep that up all the week till Friday afternoon, then he invariably staid out of school, and all the rest of us got a good, old-feshioned flogging, which was Hixon's way of balancing tlie week's score, run up chiefly by Bob. Now when the people get wakened up and proceed to settle old scores, we'll be absent. Don't you see?" This was so simple a piece of logic that anybody could see it. Norwell's last query was a very pertinent one. " If this is such u good thing, why don't you and Oakes- worth and Chrysolite keep it all yourselves?" " There's so much of it, we can't." This laconic reply went so directly to the point, which Mr. Ophir could reach most happily when he chose, that Mr. Norwell, at once unburdening his mind of any special friendly interest on Ophir's part, or obligation on his own, replied: " I'll take a block of the stock. Say one thousand shares." " Pshaw, man; I've calculated on your taking ten thousand shai'es." " At sixty- five that is six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I could not raise that easily." " We do those things differently. Put up z. margin of five dollars per share, and wait till Sawder's bill passes. Then your stock will go to seventy-five at once." " Is that margin safe in case of a drop?" " It can't drop with the government back of it. Leave that to Sawder and to Senator Sublet. See the men who are in it. Look at Oakesworth, Bullion and Chrysolite." All these men liad, at that time, a good reputation. Had Mr. Norwell lived to see the unenviable notoriety some of them achieved a few years later, he might have arrived at the conclusion that the very fixct of these men being in any enterprise was a cogent reason why other people should stay out. "I will take ten thousand shares. I'll bring my check to-morrow or the day after." Thus did these two men close a bargain nominally involving a million dollars with less dickering than many people would exercise in buying a pair of shoes or selling a calf. In recommending this venture to his friend, Ophir was probably as honest as he ever was or could be in any of his great transactions. He really thought that the Continental 40 AN IRON CROWN. and Pacific would be as good as he predicted. The game was actually so immense that he and his grasping colleagues were obliged to call in outside assistance to bag it. Furthermore, the lobby in full operation at Washington, besides a good deal of Continental and Pacific stock which quietly passed into the pockets of members without tangible equivalent, was consuming a mint of money just then which Ophir and his fellow conspirators did not care to risk alone. Mr. Norwell and a few others had money. The great Continental and Pacific wanted money now with full assurance of a golden harvest in the future. If things went well it would be well for all; if not, it would not hurt Ophir and target practice is a cheap amusement when other people furnish the powder. CHAPTER V. MR. ROKEr's little SCHEME. The Argosy Club is one of the many social institutions of New York City. The word club, like charity, covers a multitude of purposes. There are literary clubs, musical clubs, dancing clubs, polo clubs, etc. But the club of which the Argosy was a type is altogether a different affair. It is a place where a man may go to read, smoke, lounge, eat, drink, play, talk or sleep if he chooses. All these things are expensive in a great city, and the member of a popular club to be happy must have plenty of money. In consequence he is a man of some importance. Personally he may consist of a row of ciphers, but his bank and his club are the sig- nificant fiofures that make greatness out of littleness. A club is a place where many men spend selfishly that time which they should devote to their wives and children in cultivating the homely domestic virtues so often neglected by fashionable society. The members of the Argosy Club were the cream of the moneyed aristocrac}' of Manhattan Island. A million- aire was the smallest possible fish allowed to sport in that Pactolian pool, excepting a favored few who were intimately connected with millionaires. On these a saving grace had AN IRON CROWN. 4 1 been bestowed by proxy, just as a little man slips readily through a crowd following in the wake of a big burly man. We will take a look at a few of the members, some of whom will play important parts in this history. Mr. Ingle- dee's name was on the club roll, also that of Mr. Bullion, Mr. Chrysolite, Mr. Crassus and others with whom we have nothing to do. Mr. Ophir was not a member. That great and good man had a large family, and, contrary to Mr. Ingle- dee's custom, delighted to enjoy their society and indulge in domestic endearments. A prominent member was Mr. Ama- ziah Snicker, a red-faced fat man who, to use his own thread- bare simile, had once "scooped a million out of sugar." He delighted to tell how this remarkable feat had been accom- plished, the narrative indicating by the complacent self-con- ceit which lurked in every word, tone and gesture, that no other man could possibly have carried so great a transaction to a successful issue. His son, Frederick Snicker, was a dude, — that fantastic object of pity which springs up on the acme of the wave of civilization just before it begins to sink into semi-barbarism. This creature has flourished in all highly-civilized countries, and the citizens of the United States may now gaze upon him as he takes root, in the democratic soil of America. This latest flower of civilization, heretofore an exotic, we may now safely call our own. He is essentially the gift of Europe, the region whence we obtain the English sparrow, the Norway rat, numerous bugs of various degrees of disagreeableness, and a host of hungry adventurers of all sorts. We may now breathe freer in our mad race of progress. We have entered into competition with the effete old world in another branch of industry, and have as usual carried off the palm, for our dude is the prince of all dudes. He is a combination of idiotic conceits, tight pants and patchouly. He will have a whole- some example on the manhood of America by showing what a contemptible thing an unsexed man is. Let no impious tongue, forgetting scriptural injunctions, say that this remark- able creature was made in vain. On the evening to which the present events may be traced, Frederick Snicker with a companion lounged into the smok- ing room of the Argosy Cluli. He had the air of a man who believes, or affects to believe, all things trivial and unworthy of attention, and life a great bore, to be endured much as a faithful, patient wife endures a lazy, selflsh lout of 42 A.V IRON CROWN. a husband, simply because it is inconvenient to get rid of him. Young Snicker had a soft, creamy complexion, and a pretty little pet of a waxed mustache, which held about the same proportions to a real mustache that the diminutive ground pine does to the majestic, real pine. This microscopic hir- sute appendage added little to the commanding expression commonly supposed to be inherent in the human countenance as distinguished from all other animated nature. I refer par- ticularly to that phase of it which is reputed to be able to quell the lion's rising ire. This expression was further depreciated bv the effect of an insignificant little snub nose and a chin which modestly retreated into the recesses of liis not very ample lower jaw. The ambitious jaw, in attempting to swallow the unpretentious chin, had overdone itself, and the failure caused irreparable damage to both. Snicker's waist, so unlike the paternal waist, was care- fully kept in proper bounds by stays. His lower limbs, — he would have been painfully shocked had they been referred to as legs, — were encased in very tight, striped pantaloons of delicate hues. Nature had not been very lavish with respect to Snicker's lower extremities, and the tailor had been still more parsimonious. As a consequence, the spectator was in constant apprehension lest these very inadequate supports should suddenly give way and bring disaster to their owner. They were assisted, however, in a slight degree, by a tiny little flexible cane about large enough for a penholder, which was surmounted by a dog's head carved in ivory. He twirled this cane so incessantly that the poor puppy in ivory must have been in a chronic condition of dizziness and indignation, if capable of reasoning, at this particular species of activity in his biped associate. An eyeglass, when not in use to obscure vision, dangled on his waistcoat suspended by a silken cord. Young Snicker dropped into an easy chair with the air of a man who feels that resignation is all that is left him in the world, and endurance must soon reach its limit. He remarked to his companion, with a drawling lisp which he had by fre- quent private rehearsals brought to a state of perfection: " Weally, Roker, this is vewy unpleasant." "What is unpleasant?" "My flowist made another howid mistake. I always want a wose for my buttonhole on Tuesday evening. He sent me instead a fuschia and twimmings, and among the AN IRON CROWN. 43 twimmings was a hovvid fish gewanium leaf. Now you know I cawn't abide fish any way." " Throw away the geranium leaf." " Weally, this howid hot weathah has so -unnerved me that I do not feel like tvvying to awange a bouquet." " Going to see Luseba to-night, the reason you are so particular, Snicker?" " Pon my wud now, Roker, that allusion is not quite genewous." " What's up now?" " That's all ended," replied Snicker, with a sigh as deep as his corset would allow. " Another heart broken ?" " Naw!" This particle of grammar intended for no was spoken in a prolonged drawling circumflex, as if paucity of ideas compelled him to fill the intervals between them with remarkable vocalization. He added lazily: " Partnehship tiissolved by mutual consent. One more experience." Poor little creature! He said this as if he were trying to get through with all experiences, — that is, all proper for a gentleman of his cut, — and graduate into the indifferent man of the world as soon as possible, with nothing more to do, nothing more to learn, nothing more to enjoy, — only to be bored with resignation. Now Luseba Aplington was a young lady whose highly artificial accomplishments were as shallow as his own, else he had never discovered them. After a brief, sappy courtship, they plighted troth. But the course of true love will not run smooth though flowing in a golden channel. One evening, on the way to the opera, Miss Luseba confided a valuable opera-glass to the care of her Adonis. He, not feeling equal to assuming such a grave responsibility, intrusted it to the footman, which functionary lost it. It was a birthtlay present from a dear friend, and the young lady was inconsolable. The fact that Snicker himself remained hers failed to allay her unreasonable grief. A coolness arose. She returned his presents and his heart, in exchange for which organ she received her own again, neither but little the worse for wear, because, like shoes that have been worn, both had already had the squeak taken out of them by con- siderable indulgence in Cupid's game of foot ball. To employ Snicker's own resigned expression, "it was all over." To jest with a man who had suffered such a poignant grief was cruel, and Roker dropped the subject. 44 AN IRON CROWN. Snicker's companion, Horace Roker, was in everything his opposite. He was a tall, compactly-huilt, rather spare, dark-complexioned man. He was very straight, considering that he had la-bored for years at a desk in Ingledee's office. His thin, Roman nose, prominent forehead, lowering brow, and lips almost painfully compressed, indicated inflexibility of purpose, combined with a dangerous temper disposed to cru- elty. His restless, piercing black eye seldom squarely met the eye of one with whom he conversed, unless at times when, as if conscious that the- world views the conduct of such an eye with suspicion, it was capable of a steady, unflinching gaze, the defiance of a bold, unscrupulous spirit. He seldom showed, his symmetrical white teeth through the medium of a smile; he was too politic to do so with the snarl which was more natural to him. He never laughed heartily, partly because there was nothing generous in him, chiefly because it was in bad form. Dignity was a part of his stock in trade. He had one peculiarity which he seemed to be unconscious of, or which he was unable to control. By contraction of the muscles of the head he could draw his scalp down almost over his forehead. He did this while abstracted, or when in some way thrown suddenly out of his usual train of thought. Sometimes when angry this peculiar distortion took place. Combined with a flashing eye, blood- less, compressed lips, and a nose which seemed enduring painful tension, it gave his expression something really demoniac. Roker was a man with whom people instinctively avoid jesting. He was an affable, polished gentleman, who fulfilled with punctilious correctness the routine duties of society, and who was at all times scrupulously polite. His dress displayed none of the absurd fopperies of Snicker's make up. On his immaculate shirt front sparkled a diamond pin, which was the sole article pertaining to his person that was worn distinctly as an ornament. From the remark " one more experience " it must not be inferred that Frederick Snicker admitted any genuine regrets over his lost love, or that the lady was conscious of any. To experience anything approaching a real human feeling or sen- timent would have been in the estimation of this sappy pair an exhibition of very bad taste. The flabby intellect which animated their mushy brains was incapable of such experi- ences. It might have been overwhelmed by some great dis- AN IRON CROWN. 45 aster just as the thieving Httle chipmunk is crushed by the dead fall. But it could no more realize that disaster or rise above it than could the flattened chipmunk crawl from be- neath the great cruel stone. As the conversation reached this point, Silas Ingledee sauntered into the room and joined Roker and Snicker. The young man had not lived so rapidly lately. He had not been out later than four o'clock in the morning for a whole week, and had been getting an extra hour's sleep during the day. He was carefully dressed, as usual, and in consequence of such ascetic abstinence from pleasure, really looked a handsome young man. His fine face was a great contrast to that of either Snicker or Roker. Nature had done so much for him and so little for Snicker, and yet both their grists were prac- tically being ground in the same hopper, though Silas's fine grain went through rapidly, while Snicker's husky kernels danced on top from sheer lightness. Roker prudently pre- ferred to feed the hopper. " Ah, how are you, Roker?" said Silas. " Very well, thank you. How are you?" "Tiptop! How's the ofiice? Governor got any new deals on the string? Haven't seen him for some time." " The office runs as usual, and your father's operations are even heavier than usual." " He wants to rope me into that margin and ticker busi- ness. But I can find more congenial amusement than watch- ing rows of figures on a paper tape, that runs like clock work and never lets up. Hello, Snicker," said he, as he turned to that young gentleman, who, from appearances, was industri- ously trying to swallow the head of his cane. " How are you?" " Well, I cawn't weally say. A twifle misewable I think on the whole." "Not in love again? Who is the charmer?" "That's abwupt, Ingledee," said Snicker, with a feeble at- tempt at pretended offense. Abvjupt was the strongest piece of armor, offensive and defensive, in his verbal arsenal. He often objected to the manner of a disagreeable statement more than to the matter. It must not be abwupt, for to be abwupt was not in good form. "Pshaw! now don't try to deny it; you know you are a lady-killer." As the chief amusement of Fred Snicker was to fall in 46 AN IRON CROWN. love, or attempt it, he admitted the soft impeachment by a flabby smile of acknowledgement. " If you'd indulge a trifle more excitement you wouldn't feel so miserable. Don't you think so? Say an elopement, or a breach of promise. Wouldn't that be about the thing, Roker?" Roker added, " Or punch some rival's head now and then," in a tone which seemed to imply that Snicker was ca- pable of committing a blood-curdling murder by way of amusement. Snicker felt the compliment implfed in the ad- mission that he was a man of the world. But one of the chief resources among his paltry stock of ideas was that of objecting to imaginary affronts which he conjured up for the sake of objection, well knowing no offense was meant. He acted as if he should have been flattered had they suggested a highway robbery, but as it was only a fisticuff" he considered it common and " abwupt," and so expressed himself. " Gentlemen, I consider that abwupt. You know there are things that may be too abwupt to the feelings of a gen- tleman."- This statement was so obvious there was no gain- saying it. Silas, thinking perhaps he had for once really probed a tender spot, hastily explained : " Beg pardon. Snicker. I meant no offence. But really, a little wholesome activity would set you all right. Don't you think so, Roker?" "Undoubtedly." " I make no suggestions, but think it over." Had he been in the far West, Silas would doubtless have suggested the exciting pastime poetically known as "painting the town red." As this species of advanced art, as applied to the evolution of amusement is unknown in New York, or known by a different name, Ingledee could only summarize by repeating " Think it over." ♦' I will, Ingledee," replied Snicker, who was now all good humor and no longer felt miserable. He felt that he was con- sidered a fast young man by the fastest young men in the town. Altogether he was a daring, reckless, possibly dangerous young blade. He suddenly remembered that he had an appointment, and with an adieu which approached the abwupt^ he ambled out, twirling his absurd little cane. His companions bowed a pleasant good evening and then forgot Snicker as utterly as if he had never existed. After some desultory conversation Silas remarked, with his eyes fixed on Roker's right hand: AN IRON CROWN. 47 « By the way, Roker, I have often noticed a faint line across the backs of your fingers; excuse my curiosity, but is that a scar? " " There is a rather vivid incident of my boyhood con- nected with that scar, Ingledee." " Would vou mind telling it? I am curious now." " I have no objections," replied Roker. Silas settled him- self In his chair to listen. " You know, Mr. Silas, that my parents were poor. Sometimes it was hard work and close saving to make both ends meet. Often we boys had to stay out of school for months to work. One term when I was about ten years old I wanted to join a class in grammar just starting in our school, and I was determined to join it. I was some years younger than most of the members, but I was determined to keep up with certain boys if I had to study half the night to do it. If I missed that class I should be thrown back possibly two years, and might lose my chance altogether of studying that subject in school. " I teased my mother for the book, but she refused to get it because she could not afford the expense. But 1 gave them no peace at home; determined to carry my point. Finally mother told me that if father and I, my brother being away from home, would abstain from eating eggs till I saved the fifty cents necessary I might buy the book. It required four dozen, and we had few hens; I set about getting them. I watched the hens with the eye of a hawk, and whenever one cackled I was on hand to get the egg. " One day I heard an old hen cackling loud up over an oats- bin in the little barn. I placed a peck measure on top of a barrel, climbed up and found to my delight a new nest with several eggs. I put them in my old slouch, wool hat, and gathered it together like a bag. I started to climb down again, but the bin \vas made by standing the boards on end instead of running them cross-wise. At the top was a wedge- shaped crack, and as I stepped on the peck measure it tilted. I lost my footing and my hand stuck in that crack. I dropped with my whole weight on those fingers, and there I hung. I thought every second they would pull off, but they didn't." "A pretty fix, wasn't it? Then you dropped the eggs and yelled ? " " I screamed at the top of my voice for help, but I held 48 AN IRON CROWN. on to the eggs with the left hand, though I might have clung to a projecting piece of scantling with it." " How did you get down? " " I hung there, it may have been three minutes, though I thought it an hour, till a neighbor, working in his garden across the alley, heard my screams for help and took me down." " And the eggs ? " "As soon as I saw they were safe, I fainted with the pain. That is all there is to that scar." " I hardly think I could do that to save a few cents." " Perhaps not. It is not necessary for you to do it." *' Say, Roker, isn't the Governor a little bit queer lately?" Roker, as Mr. Ingledee's private secretary, having risen little by little to the position of confidential adviser, had much better opportunities than the son for learning the state of his employer's mind on subjects usually more or less confidential. He could have guessed, with tolerable assurance, whether the Governor was "queer" or not. But Roker was not given to guessing in cases like the present. " What do you mean, Mr. Silas? " He knew joerfectly well what Mr. Silas -meant. He was an open well when it rained, but only a dry one, when others wanted water. His rule of life might be summed up briefly: Learn all you can of other people's plans; disclose none of your own. " He wants me to enter the oflice." " Oh, he mentioned that to me. I see nothing queer in that." " What did you tell him?" " I told him you were young, and there was plenty of time yet." " Thank you for that, Roker. I really can't give up life yet." The young man spoke in an earnest almost anxious manner as if he felt that giving up idle dissipation and going to work were equivalent to quitting life altogether. " No thanks are necessary. I spoke from honest convic- tion." " Did father speak of anything further than the ofiice? " " I hardly understand you." As Mr. Ingledee had not spoken further, Roker hoped to learn from the son what the father did not choose to disclose. " In fiict, he thinks I'm going a little too fast." " Young men are expected to see life." AN IRON CROWN. 49 " But father declines to look at it that way. Would you mind tonins^ the thing- down a little to him if he speaks to you about it? He would sit on me if he knew half." " I shall be happy to do anything in that direction that I can, but then," he added deprecatingly, "you know I'm only an employe and a stranger." " Father has every confidence in you. What you say will go a long way with him." " Ah, indeed! All right, Mr. Silas, you may rely on me." " Thank you. Now will you go and lake some wine? " " No, thanks. Vou know I seldom indulge." *' What do you say to a glass of absinthe? It is a very nice drink, Roker." " Thank you; its effects are rather lasting for office work. You have plenty of time for such things." " Really, Roker, what sort of a man are you? You never seem to care for anything." " Oh, I have my quiet tastes." " Silas suddenly rose to take his departure. " I am ex- pected at Chrysolite's ball," he remarked, " and must be go- ing." ^ « Good-bye." « Good-bye." '< Poor fool !" mused Roker, as his companion disappeared. "Absinthe, wine, dancing, loss of sleep, carousals. A few years will end him." Pulling a choice Havana from his cigar-case, he proceeded to indulge one of his " quiet tastes." Members of the club came and went; still Horace Roker smoketl on. No one disturbed him, for he was in a reverie, and his friends knew at such times it was very unprofitable work trying to engage him in conversation. In reply to greet- ings, he nodded mechanically and still pufTed airy clouds of smoke that were as light as his own visions. In these float- ing clouds he constructed magnificent castles. He saw a j^rincely residence, and a handsome dark-eyed woman pre- siding over it. He sailed the fastest yacht on the seas; he drove the fastest team on the island. He entertained in regal style persons whose incomes exceeded those of princes. He bought railroads, as he would have bought pine-apples for his table. He smoked on while people came and went till the stream gradually subsided, and then ceased. His vision had taken more definite shape than ever before. It was so pleasing that 4 50 AN IRON CROWN. he indulged it longer than usual, as we often indulge some favorite pleasure on certain occasions to make amends for past denial. After midnight Mr. Roker aroused himself and started home. He trod with a light step. The absorbing hope of his life which he had heretofore restrained with tight rein, lest it carry him away into the regions of a mere dreamer, now bid fair to be realized. CHAPTER VI. « THE HONORABLE DAVE SAWDER. Among the friends to whom Tom Norwell wished to in- troduce Arthur was Austin Hickley, a young lawyer rapidly rising into note. Tom and Hickley were intimate friends, though the latter was the senior of the former by several years. Hickley had come to New York a poor young man from a country town. He was thoroughly well read in law, and by means of family influence succeeded in entering the offices of a well-known law firm, though in a very humble capacity. His work at first was wholly clerical, and not very remunerative. Step by step he advanced, however, until he was admitted to a partnership. One of the senior partners died some years later, and the other resigned practice to ac- cept a position on the bench. Thus Hickley at the age of thirty-five found himself in exclusive possession of a good business, and wielding no inconsiderable local influence. One afternoon Arthur Wilson, Tom Norwell and Hickley sat conversing in the private office of the latter. It was late in the day, which was a very dark, disagreeable one, and no clients were liable to interrupt them. Wilson gradually turned the conversation toward the one subject of most inter- est to himself — his finding something to do. Mr. Norwell had vainly inquired among his former business acquaintances with a view to securing a situation for the son of his old friend. Good situations do not go begging amid the fierce competition of a great city, where there are usually fifty men seeking each really desirable position. In one place he could have obtained a situation at a fair salary had he been an ex- AN IRON CROWN 5I perienced salesman, in another a book-keeper was wanted, but experience was required, and so on through the Hst. He could find plenty of places where the opportunity of handling heavy boxes was extended at the rate of six dollars, or there- abouts, per week. He began to realize that distance did leally lend enchantment to cities. The fact was, that while possess ing a good education in the common acceptation of the term, he knew how to do no one thing well. If he began here at all he must begin at the very bottom, which will do for a boy but not for a man. Arthur Wilson was not easily discouraged, neither did he have the over confident hope born of inexperience and igno- rance. He felt that something must soon be done, and his chances were poor. His board and lodging were provided for so long as he chose to remain with the Norwells. He had calculated that these were the chief, indeed, almost the entire expenses incident to city life. He learned there were a thousand and one ways of spending money which he had never suspected. Tom was generous and could afford it. Arthur was generous and could not afford it. He insisted on paying at least part of the time, hence their seeing the town, though they did nothing extravagant, had cost considerable money, and Arthur's slender stock was melting with a rapidity which gave him no little secret anxiety. " I trust we may be able to do something for you," said Hickley. " Your tone is not one of confidence," replied Arthur. " To tell the truth, I am not confident. Everything here is full to overflowing." " Yet you came here a poor boy and did well," interjected Tom. " Father came here a poor boy and did well. Have not hundreds of others done the same thing?" " Yes, thousands, for that matter, but look at the thousands who are still struggling with abject, hopeless poverty, sinking instead of rising. Sinking, because the best days of their life are passing, and the day is coming when they can no longer earn the pittance they now get." " Perhaps they do not save," suggested Wilson. " Some do not, some can not. Boys, I'll tell you a little of my own experience in saving. Near the end of my first year in New York, when I felt that a new suit of clothes was a grim necessity in the near future, this was my bill of fare for several months: A cup of coffee and a roll at a cheap little cof- 53 AN IKON CROWN. fee-house, for Lreakfast, ten cents; a bowl of soup foi" dinner, ten cents; three oatmeal crackers and a handful of raisins in my own little room for supper, five cents; total, twenty-five cents per day." The two listeners stared at Hickley in silent amazement. • " Here a man must underg'o a long and arduous course of hard, unremitting labor and pinching economy to arrive at a competence. When he has reached that enviable condition he suddenly realizes that a mere competence, as a rule, en- titles its possessor lo very little social consideration in a great city. Rather than such a state of affairs I should prefer to stay in the country. I'd eat boiled beef and cabbage, and be a person of some importance in the community." " Hard- work and economy," replied Wilson, " have done well ill your case. I would willingly do the same to accom- plish the same results." " They did not do all. I know men who have worked harder and liave nothing. A man may dig a ditch to the foot of fame's ladder, but he can not dig ditches and mount. Death removed one of my partners very opportunely for me. Po- litical pi'eferment removed the other. Such accidents seldom happen." " Hang it, Hickley, what are you talking about.'' You wouldn't live on a farm and toil fifteen hours a day, sleep seven, eat one, read none, sing none, and visit twice a year on Sundays. Compared with such an existence the life of an oyster is really exciting." " I admit there are numerous social and intellectual ad- vantages to be found in the city, but at least a moderate amount of money is required to obtain access to them." Tom laughed heartily. "Confound it, stop your croak- ing, Hickley. You'd give a mummy the blues. I'll never bring a friend here again for consolation. I might have known better than to go to a law shop for that article, where no fee pertained to the case. We'll get Wilson a fat job yet." It was a trait of Tom Norwell's never to turn any one away with a bad story. He always chose the bright side of everything instinctively. Perhaps this was because he had never seen any dark side, and had doubts of its existence. From the confidence expressed in Tom's tone, the "fat job" might have been already under lock and key and the key in his pocket. Hickley was silent. There was no resisting the spon- AN IRON CROWN. 53 taniety of Noi well's nature, in spite of the fact that prudence plainly said he was too sanguine. They were interrupted by a knock at the door, on opening which, the office boy showed in the Honorable David Sawder. The Honorable David Sawder, finiiliarly known simply as Dave Sawder, desired a pri\ate interview. He and Hick- ley at once retired to another room and carefully closed the connecting doors. What transpired there is of great impor- tance, and the author must claim an author's privilege of un- derstanding it all. The Honorable David Sawder was a pol- itician of national reputation. He l>ad for many yeai's rep- resented a New York district in Congress. He was a large, plethoric, well-fed man, nearly six feet in height. He had a blonde complexion and a heavy blonde mustache. His sen- sual mouth and coarse, meaty nose marred a face otherwise well proportioned, and indicating, as the accompaniment of an unusually well-developed head, the possession of no common powers, both physical and mental. His restless gray eye was as quick as the eye of an eagle, and read men at a glance. He had a large muscular hand and enormous feet, which he moved in walking, when not conscious of observation, with a pecu- liar pulling motion indescribably comical. On public occasions, when conscious of that organ known as the public eye, to which unusual powers of vision are at- tributed with perhaps very small reason. Sawder's movements were more dignified and always incisive. His efforts to ap- pear graceful were, however, in a measure futile, for his bear- ing and gestures indicated power rather than grace or beauty. He had that hearty, cordial manner which is so necessary a part of the politician's stock in trade. It made him very pop- ular with the masses, combined as it was with the faculty equally necessary to his craft, of knowing at sight, which will prove the popular side of a question. He nurtured another acrobatic feat in a high degree of perfection, whicli was known as "flopping," if inadvertently he dropped on the wrong side. However, he nearl}'^ always found himself on the popular side at first. This power of discernment in him amounted almost to intuition. Back of all his easy, matter-of-fact cordiality, which was made the most of, the keen student of human nature might have observed in the Honorable Dave something that was to be distrusted, or which, at least, would bear watching. The keen eye was a trifle too restless. It lacked the appearance of 54 AN iRoN ciloWN. honest, kindly candor which is one of the most beautiful ema- nations of tliat most expressive organ. His mouth had an animal, selfish appearance. It had so long fed on the public plums that it seemed to have acquired a chronic condition of watering for Ihem. This impression was confirmed by an oc- casional movement of the watery-looking lips which very much resembled that vulgarly known as "licking the chops." The real cause of this jDeculiarity was a slight disease of the salivary glands induced by the habit of full feeding. He was well dressed in plain blat:k, and wore on one of the fingers of his left hand a massive plain gold ring. He wore a heavy gold watch and chain. From the latter dangled a large charm with a seal. The Honorable Dave began abruptly: " What is the outlook in your ward, Hickley ? " " Good, I think. There is little doubt of our carrying it for the whole ticket by a handsome majority." " What have you done?" "Held several meetings and distributed a cord of docu- ments more or less. We have organized the young men into a marching club, provided with uniforms and torches. They parade twice a week." " All well enough in its way, but what practical work has been done ?" " Don't you call that practical ? " " Certainly, but there is something more necessary. You must see every doubtful voter and bring unanswerable argu- ments to bear on him." « What if he persists in bolting after you have seen him?" " Then he must be seen again by a reliable man." "Mr. Sawder, the duties of my profession are very exacting." " You are chairman of the district executive committee, and it is expected of you to see this work done. I do not mean that you shall make a personal canvass." " I see little use in argument. Seeing a man once is as good as seeing him twice to my notion. Besides, I am not running for office." "7 am^ Hickley, which amounts to the same thing. But you needn't waste time with men who are always doubtful. See them finally on election day. They have an eye to the convincing argument," " I hardly understand your reference to the convincing ar- gument, Sawder." ANT IRON CROWN. 55 The Honorable Dave stared at Hickley for a moment with incredulous wonder. " Is it possible that you have dab- bled in politics for years, and particularly in New York pol- itics, and do not understand what is meant by seeitig a man. You are a rising- lawyer, too! Oh, I know better than tliat." And he laughed as if it were really a good joke. "Know better than what?" asked Hickley, with a trifle of warmth. Then the truth began to dawn on him. "If you mean that we must stoop to buyitig votes I must inform 3'ou that I value my reputation too highly to descend to such depths of degradation." " Now, don't be hasty, Hickley. Look at the matter in a sensible light. I don't ask 3'ou to peddle greenbacks person- ally. Find the men to do it. You have received many favors from our party indirectly." " And have done a great deal for the party. But I do not care to become a professional politician. I have no ambition at all in that direction." He said this with covert sarcasm, which intimated that the professional politician was, to use a favorite rustic simile, rather small potatoes. The Honorable Dave Sawder discerned Hickley's attitude at a glance. But he was too politic to show anger. He reserved all his right- eous indignation for the other side of the House in Congress. There his patriotism was forever on tap and effervesced in a perennial stream of brilliant, though at times somewhat windy oratory. He replied: " Hickley, you are a young man yet." As Hickley had reached the years when youth is gone forever, and the time was rapidly approaching when he could no longer, except by gross and palpable flattery, be called a young man, he silently acquiesced in the sentiment. He had reached the beginning of that debatable period, when one is not claimed very heartily by the young folks, rmd is unwill- ing to surrender gracefully and take a position with the sober, middle-aged contingent of society. Hickley was willing to be a young man if it didn't cost too much, and Sawder knew it. At fifteen he would perhaps have been a young 7nan at any cost. Everything, however, with which the Hon. Dave Sawder was connected, was pretty sure to cost sotnebody something in the end. He continued: "Hickley, at your time of life many a man has ruined his prospects by enter- taining fastidious notions. You can't afford it. Mr. Ophir has put a great deal of railroad business into the hands of your firm, and is doing the same for you. He put your sur- 56 AN IRON" CROWN. viving partner on the bench, and left you at the head of a fine business." This was a very frank admission on the part of Sawder, and one that he would not have made publicly. It is a com- parative innovation for railroads to make judges of the higher courts. Their making United States Senators has ceased to attract attention, if it ever did. As to making Congressmen and members of State Legislatures, that is not worth the trouble. They can be bought ready-made much cheaper, like slop-shop clothing, especially when they are marketed in job lots. Hickley was silent, and the Honorable Dave con- tinued: " Ophir is friendly toward you, and you know his influence is worth having. Besides, you must not forget past favors. Now Mr. Ophir particularly desires that Barkwell and myself should be re-elected to Congress, so that in case the new bill relating to the Continental and Pacific does not get through the coming session, there will be experienced men to take care of it in the future." "Whv, Barkwell belongs to the other party." *'That makes no difference. He is sound for the C. & P. R. R., and his opponent isn't. Ophir's motto is, ' Votes first, party afterward.' " " Pm perfectly willing to work and make speeches, but I decline to handle any money." " Oh, that's all right. Find men to do it. This requires fine work." " So I perceive." " There is another feature of the work that must not be neglected. The other partv are straining every nerve, and intend to run in a lot of fraudulent voters. We must head them off wherever our side is in a good working majority." " By working similar tactics?" " Well, that's about it. The only weapon to fight the devil with is fire. The other party have been doing it for years. Now we will give them a dose of their own medicine." " Mr. Sawder, I decline to be a party to such methods." If all politicians made and rigidly adliered to a similar resolution, there would be inaugurated a millennium of polit- ical purity which only the most visionary theorist may hope to see. The greatest political crime possible in a republic, — worse, in fact, than open rebellion, — is that of corrupting the ballot. Yet here was a so-called statesman who counte- AN lUON CROWN. 57 nanced it because it was apparently the most effective way of combating a thoroughly unscrupulous opposition. Here was the further spectacle of a lawyer in good standing whose chief apparent objection to this great political crime was the vei"y negative one that he did not wish to be known as coun- tenancing such things. God forbid that this monster of polit- ical corruption should ever crawl from his slimy den in our great cities to fasten on the honest rural districts. When he does so unrebuked, the grandest experiment ever tried, of government by the people and for the people, will be recorded in the booic of time as a failure. The weeping genius of liberty, with heavy heart and eye that fondly dwells on his- tory's brightest page, will sadly close forever the record of the last republic, and man's greatest opportunity is lost till the cycles of time shall change the ver}' face of civilization itself. " You are not expected to take any part in that portion of the work. It might be well for you to know something about it, so that you will thoroughly understand the bearings of the canvass. Dyke, Miller and Williams will be the active workers." It may be added that the three worthies referred to were well known as unsavory pot-house politicians, who derived their chief support from the tolerably constant supply of dirty political work, — national, state, county or municipal. One of them was brother to an alderman, which was in itself a great political capital. Another was cousin to a city official of high position, and a third possessed in a marked degree the indispensable faculty of enthusing the " boys." Hickley quietly remarked: "I've heard of those gentle- men. I understand their methods are very effective." "Very! We are lucky in winning them to our side. Some years ago they were against us, you know." The Hon. Dave's very narrow majority at the time alluded to attested the efficacy of their methods. " By the way, let's go down and see Ophir. There are some matters of finance connected with the campaign fund which had better be attended to." Hickley, seeing further demur not only useless but impolitic, bade his friends good-day, and started with Sawder to Ophir's office. It was late, and that great man was just putting on his coat preparatory to going home to dinner. " How arc you. Sawder? Glad to see you. Everything going favorably?" 58 AN IftON CROWN. " Yes, I feel very confident." "How are you, Mr. Hickley.'* I've not had the pleasure, of seeing you lately." " I'm quite well, thank you. Hope you are the same." " We came down to mention one or two points connected with the canvass." " I'm at your service. Have seats, gentlemen." " I've been talking with Mr. Hickley here," continued the Hon. Dave, " and we agree that the campaign must be an aggressive one." " Take them by surprise. That's the way to do it," replied Ophir. " I have talked with Hickley, and we have about agreed on what is to be done." At this juncture Sawder managed to catch Ophir's eye, while the lawyer happened to look toward the model of the yacht above the desk, " You and Hickley never do anything by halves. I think the party can always rely on you. You are both on the road to preferment 3'ourselves, you know, and the speed you make depends chiefly on your own exertions. You can't afford to be lukewarm." « Certainly not," replied Hickley. That gentleman now felt decidedly uncomfortable. He was a man of intelligence and refinement. Heretofore he had succeeded in preserving his honor. Now in the brief space of an hour a great crisis had come upon him. He felt that he was completely in the power of these two men, even though he were a rising and highly succe,ssful lawyer. Thei"e was no denying that he was largely indebted to Ophir for his success. To hold back now would seem base ingratitude, — furthermore, it would be ruin. Somebody else would do the work and reap the reward if he refused. The things demanded were wrong and dishonorable, but they were an evil of the times not of his making. If a great free people were willing to have their rights trampled under foot, they did not deserve to be free. Besides, he conscientiously believed the party they were fighting was much worse than his own. He would do the work. If it soiled his hands a little, he would profit by it sufticiently to be able to buy gloves for the rest of his life. Sawder knew perfectly well that Hickley would not dare to I'efuse in Ophir's presence to do this degrading work. He had no object in calling upon the rail- way magnate but to rivet more firmly the fetters on the law- AM inON CROWM. ^9 yer^s conscience. However, he remarked, as a pretense of business: "All these things cost something, Mr. Ophir." "To be sure, Mr. Sawder. I have to-day handed my check for fifty tiiousand dollars to the executive committee. I'll duplicate that sum, if necessary." " We'll make it warm for them." With this remark the conference adjourned. But the Hon. Dave was not yet done with Hickley. While he had him in training he might as well pilot him to Sandy Miller's saloon, in Jamaica street, and introduce him to that shining light in local politics. He felt sure of Hickley, but it was just as well to get him so thoroughly into the work that there could be no backing out. He steered Hickley, as if by chance, into the street where this famous resort was situated, and on passing the door suddenly remembered that he ^vished to see a man inside. That man was the celebrated Sandy Miller himself, to whom Hickley was duly introduced. Sandy Miller was a raw-boned, heavy man, of powerful physique. He had the jaw of a bulldog, and a short, turned- up nose, whose uncouth shape and proportions could only re- mind one of a hippopotamus in miniature. He had a power- ful arm, with muscles like iron. On the latter useful member his bread had more than once depentled, in a sense different from the scriptural reference to sweat of the face. He had once been a professor of the manly art offensive and de- fensive. On different occasions he had put his skill to very practical account by entering the ring, where, after knocking out several representatives of high art in this line, he was him- self beautifully knocked out by another " Professor," whose jaw was a trifle squarer, chest a little deeper, and fist a little more nearly approaching the proportions of the hammer of a pile driver. The police had been unusuall}' vigilant on this last occasion. In consequence, Sandy not only got a good diubbing, but six months in the Tombs as well. Here he ac- quired a taste for public life. On his release he combined the business of liquor selling with that of practical politics. In the latter capacity he "fixed" primaries, organized repeaters, and engaged in ballot- box stuffing when more specious methods fiiiled. He made money, built a fine house, and once actually had an eye on good society. But he found the proprieties which hedge the social shrine much more difficult to be thrust aside than 6o AN IKON cnoWK. the defences of the ballot box. On the present occasion Sandy's very red hair was carefully combed and pasted until it was as smooth as the nose of a fish. His glowing, beefy face shone like the setting sun of Indian summer. A large dia- mond sparkled on his shiit front. He was happy, for an election was at hand, which meant a thriving business in the sale of drink, to say nothing of the more practical part of the canvass. Hickley was introduced, and the trio adjourned to a back room, the Hon. Dave briefly remarking something to a bar- tender as they passed. This remark apparently resulted in hot whisky punches, for these popular beverages appeared on the table in a very brief space of time. Talking politics be- came a comparatively cheerful occupation under the stimulat- ing influences of the last named auxiliaries. Sawder re- marked : "Hickley is chairman of your ward committee, as you know, Mr. Miller." Sandy made a cordial but very angular bow in acknowl- edgement of Hickley's acquaintance and position, saying he was " happy to know Mr. Hickley." Hickley murmured something in reply about having frequently heard of Mr. Miller. The latter end of his remark was rather indistinct, but Miller charitably construed it to mean something like " The pleasure is mutual, sir," and bowed again. Hickley was anything but happy. He felt that he had been duped, and forced into a disreputable situation. He dis- liked these men and loathed their methods. He had no par- ticular objection to an occasional social glass, but here he sat in a dram-shop, engaged in what looked very like guzzling liquor for the love of it. Sawder was celebrated for his ability to coax, wheedle, or whip kickers into the party traces. Hickley's secret indignation was at white heat. He imagined that Sawder was gloating quietly over his vic- tory, whereas the latter really indulged no such sentiment toward him. Hickley felt very much like the man who is persuaded at the point of a shot gun. There is this advantage, however, in favor of the man who is compelled against his will by threats of personal violence. Wlien the danger is removed he may then conscientiously forswear his promises. The hen compelled to set, will sit standing. But Hickley had no such refuge. The influences which threatened now to take away his business and blight his prospects would exist as AN IRON CROWN. 6l a clog to his freedom in the future. Quick as a flash he real- ized all this, and felt that sulking was the worst possible course. He would assume the good humor his companions felt. Sandy's tongue was loosened a little under the in- fluences of a whisky punch. He remarked with a coarse laugh: "Sawder, how did you like the primaries this year?" "They were well managed." " We voted nearly one hundred men from Mrs. Whiff's boarding house," Sandy added, laughing again heartily. "Ah! Indeed?" " Now, would you like to know how many men really board there?" Sawder looked a little uncomfortable, as if statistics on such matters were irrelevant. This was a matter best not to be mentioned, even to the man who profited most by it. Sandy, not noticing Sawder's uneasiness, added, "Just three men and two boys." The election referred to was a primary. In these pri- maries are selected the delegates who nominate candidates for all important offices. Thus do the American people imagine that they select their own candidates, and loyal to their party, they conclude the farce by voting for men whom they really had no more voice in selecting than did the people of Canada. In justice to Sawder it must be said that he had time and again been elected fairly. Lately, however, there was dis- sension among his own followers, and hints as to spots on his record. There was increasing confidence on the part of the opposition. He had tasted the sweets of office and influence too long to resign them without a desperate struggle, and next thing to being elected fairly was to be elected at all. Sandy Miller was a convert from the opposition, where he had frequently worked the practical part of the machine. He brought these tactics into the camp of his friends in a high state of perfection. The " boys " still followed him. Sandy continued, confidentially, " I've two men who are daisies, I tell you. I introduced you to them, you know, Barney Dyke and Pewter Williams." " I remember them," said Sawder. The Pewter Williams referred to had been suspected by the police of nearly every crime in the calendar, but had never been detected in anything more serious than participating in a drunken row in which he nearly killed a man. Barney Dyke was a loafer without vis- 62 AN IRON CROWN. ible means of support, except the earnings of a hard-workingr wife. He drank heavily, gambled in a small way when he had any money, which was not often, and was generally dis- reputable. He had never been detected in anything worse than beating the unfortunate woman who unaccountably mar- ried such a brute. For this pastime he got fifty days and a chance to get sober. " Dyke will look after the registering. There's one lodg- ing-house where we've twenty men from Jersey already." " Particulars are unnecessary," said Sawder uneasily. He feared that such degrading revalations might thoroughly dis- gust Hickley, who, if he determined on bolting the machine, could cause a very disagreeable party rumpus. He wished the subject changed. To his mind, buying legal votes for spot cash was a much safer and more genteel method than col- onizing ruffians. " I was only explainin', so that you would know as things was goin' on all right. Williams will look after the chal- lengers." The challenging department deserves a few words of ex- planation. Sawder's party had never worked it successfully. It had flourished under the opposition, led by a celebrated " Boss." The polls, as far as possible, were located in filthy alleys or inconvenient places. Around them on election day gathered a lot of the dirtiest, foul-smelling reprobates which the slums of a great city aflEbrd. The challenger stood by the polls and caused as much delay as possible by challenging in- discriminately and asking needless questions. The judges, notoriously incompetent, to say the least, greatly facilitated this operation by asking stupid questions of their own. As many of the disreputable " gang " as could well do so kept constantly in line and delayed the voting, so that many of the respectable element, who were obliged to work all day, could not get in their votes at night. As the shades of a dark No- vember afternoon set in the mob virtually took possession of the narrow alley and "jostled" timid voters often, frighten- ing them away entirely. A more determined voter was sometimes quietly knocked down and then arrested for creat- ing a disturbance. To accomplish this, a subservient con- stabulary was necessary, and these could always be secured under cover of latv by the dominant party. This plan by which Sawder's party now proposed to fight the enemy, could not be worked in the "silk stocking" precincts. Such AN IRON CROWN. 63 is the fiirce too often enacted in oui* great cities and called an election. Can men wlio use dishonest means to obtain office, be expected to be honest in office? Sawder evidently thought the object of the interview had been accomplished. He rdse, remarking: " When you need pecuniarv stimulus, call on Mr. Hickley," shook Sandy's liand cordially, led the way from the room, and sauntered up street, arm in arm with Hickley. CHAPTER VII. VERY HIGH SOCIETY. Fifth Avenue had for sometime been in a state of breathless suspense. Society in the habitat of the nabob was agitated from its profoundest depths (the word depth is used figura- tively, for nothing there could be low) to its dizziest pinnacles. Coming events are said to cast their shadows before, but this great event instead of a shadow cast such a brilliant glare of light in advance of it that all similar illuminations cast only shadows in the pervading splendor. A great ball was about to be given by the Ingledees on a scale that would astonish the aristocratic "old families." The newspapers and society journals talked of the event daily bv the column, and inti- mated that the upheaval about to take place would agitate the upper crust 'of society, as it was never stirred before. Everybody, that is everybody who " pretended to be any- thing," including some thousands out of a million people, was anxiously expecting tickets, and some were going wild at the thought that the Ingledees would have to draw the line some- where, and might draw it before their names. Elderly matrons who had witnessed a hundred similar events posed before plate mirrors anxiously, to see how such slight frayings and furrowings as time had made inevitable in their charms, could be most thoroughly concealed. As a good story lies half in the telling so a woman's beauty is half in the exhibit, a fact which these ladies of uncertain years had learned long ago. The young belles of one or two seasons' experience, and the timid things about to essay the dizzy so- ciety whirl for the first time, were in a state of excitement lit- 64 AN IRON CROWN. tic shoit of lunacy. They consulted, chattered, and phuined their beautiful adornments to set of! each personal charm, giv- ing as much thought to the subject as does the jeweler who is intrusted with the setting of a rare gem. Young and old alike drove incessantly hither and *thither in their fine car- riages, stopping at fashionable emporiums where the ravish- ing loveliness of the costly fabrics for sale would have driven a fairv, who is supposed to have all these things at command, wild with jealousy. The capricious creatures talked unceas- ingly to each other and to their counselors, pirouetted, selected and rejected until a male spectator compelled to listen to all this chatter, and aitempt to understand it, would have certainly gone distracted. Meanwhile the very young male devotee of fashion was placed in no enviable situation. The cruel decrees of custom prevented him from expending his pent-up feelings on ob- jects similar to the thousand and one incomprehensible and mysterious trifles of the female toilet. He could strut like a peacock before his glass Jind studv killing attitudes, thus in anticipation ensnaring the heart of the unwary female whom he expected to circle gradually nearer his irresistible charms as the heli)less little bird flutters to its doom under the spell of the serpent. He might also puzzle his somewhat easily- confused brains over the pattern of a waistcoat or the hair- breadth nicety with which a handkerchief might properly protrude from a side pocket. Mr. Fred Snicker had one very dear source of solicitude which kept him alternating between feverish hope and chill despair. He gave a great deal of attention to the aggravat- ingly slow growth of his embyro mustache, a growth which seemed to be retarded rather than accelerated by the very liberal tillage bestowed upon it in the way of irrigation by tonics, microscopic prunings and homeopathic brushings. These anxious attentions were as absurd as an attempt to slaughter a flea with a Gatliug gun, — j^lenty of murder but lit- tle victim. The elderly-male member of society was undis- turbed by this abnormal commotion around him, except when the current of his thoughts was diverted by the perusal of an apparently interminable bill from the dressmaker or milliner. The Ingledee residence for several days before the event was taken possession of by an army of decorators. As an ex- ample of the lavishness with which the embellishment^was conducted, one large saloon was literally covered with AN IKON CROWN. 65 thousands of jacqueminot roses which cost fifty cents apiece- Then came the caterer's men who brought wagon loads of glass and dislies, and turned the house into a vast crockery emporium. Idlers hung around the place, watching these movements with a curiosity akin to that which would have been exhibited, had a murder been committed there. On the eventful evening in question the Ingledee palace, if so it may be termed witliout offense to republican readers, was brilliantly lighted from basement to attic. A lofty awn- ing of red-and-white striped silk stretched from the door to the street. The steps were covered w ith carpet fit for the boudoir of a queen. Servants in gorgeous livery were in attendance, and two fine-looking policemen in shining new uniforms, buttoned and gloved to statuesque proportions, stood silently on the sidewalk to prevent vulgar eyes from gazing too curiously on these sacred preparations, or vulgar feet from approaching too closely tlie holy ground conse- crated to snobbery. In the street were the struggling mob and long lines of carriages. Beautiful pages in gorgeous liveries flitted here and there, assisting fine ladies who swept like duchesses through the broad entrance, with rustling trains of richest silks and satins. Inside, the air was heavy with the perfume of flowers. There were flowers everywhere, — in vases, in garlands over the doorways, in festoons from the ceilings, and on entering the drawing rooms and ball room, every guest was presented with a dainty bouquet of exotics. These beautiful trifles cost Mr. Ingledee several dollars each, as afterward duly appeared in the papers. They were comparatively modest display lines in this stupendous advertisement. The "charming young hostess," Miss Chetta Ingledee, was " assisted " by her very dear friend. Miss Harrie Snicker, daughter of Amaziah Snicker, who had once scooped a mil- lion out of sugar. Miss Ingledee's exquisite dress was of the richest white satin trimmed with seed pearls. She wore no jewelry beyond a small gold locket which had been her mother's, and a pair of link gold bracelets, set with a single pendent diamond. She wore flowers on her bosom and in her dark hair. Her dress became her well, and she had the bearing of a queen. Miss Harrie Snicker was dressed in cream satin trimmed in yellow lace. Her train was of the most ample and unmanageable proportions. The general effect of this dress placed on such inadequate femininity was 5 66 AN IRON CROWN. similar to what might be expected if a blanket were attached to a boy's kite as a tail. Harrie Snicker, though perhaps a trifle above medium height, was utterly devoid of that com- manding presence so necessary to the finely dressed lady. Harrie had the same insignificant, retreating chin of her brother, though less exaggerated. She had the same little, insignificant, turn-up nose, the same vacuous expression of countenance, though any one seeing Fred Snicker would have declared that nature could not duplicate his visage. But nature, with all her infinite resources and that variety which is a constant miracle, still works after a definite plan by definite forms. The apparently impossible diflferences which may exist in so small a compass as the human counte- nance, and which render millions effaces distinguishable at a glance, is to me as great a mystery as life itself. Yet Nature has never made anything wliich she is not liable to reproduce almost to a line in some totally unexpected way. In Miss Snicker's own opinion she was the peer of the beautiful hostess. The noisy cat bird with its jerky tail may be the peer of the stately swan in some respects, but cer- tainly not in grace or dignity. Harrie had pretty white shoulders, which were displayed so as to make the most of them. Diamonds sparkled in her yellow hair, and a pearl necklace encircled her neck. On her arms were bracelets of exquisite workmanship. Miss Bullion was radiant in white tulle embroidered with gold. On her person was one hundred thousand dollars' worth of diamonds. Miss Cypher wore white lace over white silk. Mrs. Van Brucker wore yellow silk and black Brussels lace. Numerous other ladies wore equally expen- sive and beautiful dresses, but space will not admit mention of all the guests and their costumes did the patience of the reader allow it. Doubtless the female reader has already lost all patience with the bungling efl^orts of a masculine pen to do justice to the utter loveliness of a five thousand dollar dress. Among the guests were Mrs. Chrysolite, Mrs. Ophir, Miss Bullion, Miss De Furrier, Mrs. St. Sapodilla and others. Mr. Snicker was there to perform his customary exploit in sugar. Mr. Van der Bleeker, a young society lion who lab- ored unceasingly to spend the interest on his interest, was there. He had lately immortalized himself by following a well-known actress all over the country in the role of Romeo to her Juliet after the play. Literature was represented by AN IRON CROWN. 67 several journalists of leviathan proportions, and the iihiqui- tous reporter who wrote up the ladies' dresses, descriliing the saloons as a " blaze of beauty and fashion." Politics was represented in the person of the Hon. David Sawder of national reputation, to say nothing of several lesser public functionaries. Among those who must be classed as miscellaneous^ for want of a more distinctive qualifying term, was Mr. Wynd- leigh Garmand, a tall, handsome, florid Englishman, with the regulation mutton-chop side whiskers and eye-glasses. Gar- mand was remotely and somewhat dubiously connected with the aristocracy; but the feature pertaining to him which is of inost interest in this story is the fact that he was very wealthy. His father had amassed a vast fortune in trade, and then opportunely died at the proper moment, leaving it all to his son. This considerate conduct on the part of the old gentle- man may be adduced as a worthy example to those obstinate parents who persist in living long after they cease to be use- ful. Garmand was a thoroughly fresh Englishman, in the widest acceptation of that much abused adjective. He had come to America to learn our " rough ways," and had begun at Fifth Avenue because it happened to be the first place he struck. Mr. Garmand had letters to the Norvvells and others in good society, hence had no difficulty in entering the best circles at once. He had to some extent made a confidant of Tom Norwell, whose genial manner soon thawed EngHsIi reserve so far as that very refractory article can be liquified. This was Garmand's first appearance in republican society. He was in some considerable doubt as to what was expected of him in the way of dress in the wilds of a new country. From what he had seen he thought this country was not half so w^ild as he had supposed. He had always heard that the Americans were a set of uncouth, disagreeable savages, with possibly a few rare exceptions, and he believed it. Un- fortunately two or three specimens of the traveling Yankee whom he had accidentally known in London confirmed this view by their disgusting airs and reckless display of speedily- acquired wealth. Garmand's father being only in trade and a man of little culture, the tamily had never been admitted into the very best society at home, and he was totally ignorant of what was expected of him here. He consulted Tom Norwell as to 68 AN IRON CROWN. what was demanded of him on this occasion. Had Tom advised him to go to the Ingledee ball in corduroy trousers, top boots and a flannel blouse, he should certainly have con- sidered the matter. But no amount of coaching could con- ceal his ignorance, not only of New York society but of American geography and history in general. He had read only a little English history and the small amount of general history incident to it. That was all his father thought it worth the while of an Englishman to know. The son had come to learn our rough ways, and was of an inquiring turn of mind in consequence. During the course of the evening Garmand was intro- duced to Arthur Wilson, and a conversation sprang up be- tween them. " Have you ever visited this country before, Mr. Gar- mand?" Garmand's language was very good. His speech was altogether too well calked to leak aspirates promiscuous- ly after the harrowing manner of his unlettered countryman. Still he had the indescribable, affected drawl of the cockney who broadens his lazy vowels and obscures his r's. It can- not be placed on paper, but must be heard to be appreciated. The verb " cawn't " gives a morsel which will in some meas- ure illustrate the kind of sound but not the prolongation of it. "No; never had the opportunity before. I came over on a tour of some duration to study mankind in his more untram- meled aspects." He thought tliis a very delicate way of putting the case. He thought untrammeled aspects a reason- able concession to Yankee feelings, when in reality he meant he had come over to dissect a live Yankee and see what the animal was made of. " I have no doubt you will find the untrammeled aspects you speak of very interesting." "Ah, indeed? Yes, I dehsay! Never gave it any study whatever, 3'ou know, ah, but now I mean to make amends and take a very careful review of your social and political habits, and particularly the staatus of the lower closses." He said this, with an air which implied that America was a great natural curiosity to be looked upon as such, turned over, eye- glassed and dissected merely as the means of gratifying curi- osity rather than from any real benefits to be derived from the examination. It was a case similar to that of the natu- ralist who expends, much time and patience, studying the habits of ants to learn whether they really possess slaves, or AN TROM CROWN. 69 the domestic prl\\acy of robins to ascertain whether they are addicted to polyijainy. Botli aie subjects of some interest, l)ut of small practical moment. Garmantl added : " Really, I cawn't see why the study of primitive man- ners and customs might not be made chawmingly interest- ing." He thought he could take a morning stroll from Union Square and find an Arcadian region where the inhabitants were delightfully fresh and primitive. " Mr. Garmand, I assure you such stuches as you propose, will be very interesting and novel. Possibly you will go home and write a book about America ? " " Cawn't say now 'pon my soul. Hadn't thought of it really." He never noticed the very apparent irony of Wil- son's interrogatory. In a nation which considers nothing im- possible, and which has produced the grandest literature of all time, the writing of a book is a matter of course, and a mere trifle. " Do you think that I shall find the Americans, that is to say the natives, very communicative on the subjects which I propose investigating?" "There's no doubt of it. They will all be pleased to aid you. It would afford me great pleasure at any time you choose if you would command me." " Oh, ah, thank you; you are very kind. I shall some day take advantage of your offer." About this stage of the inter- view Miss Ingledee happened to discover the whereabouts of this unique pair. She wished to get a little better acquaint^ed with Mr. Wilson, because he was a friend of Tom Norwell. With apoloyies for the interruption she drew Wilson away, and piloted Garmand to her friend, Harrie Snicker, where we will leave them for the present. Chetta had been indefatiga- ble in her effort to make the ball a success. Her father had prepared this great show at vast expense merely to convince the world that the family of a railway king asks no odds socially, financially, or otherwise, of any of the oldest fami- lies. He believed in advertising. Chetta, since the effort had been made, wished its success in a somewhat different sense, and lent her energies to accomplishing one purpose — the pleasing of her guests. She had a word for all her acquain- tances, and it was Mr. Wilson's turn now. « You are a friend of Mr. Norwell? " " Yes, I am visiting the family. Our fathers were old friends." yo AN IRON CROWN. " It must be very pleasant to recall old times and associa- tions." " I find it so, though I had previously seen but little of Tom Norwell. He is quite a society man, I infer." "Oh, yes, indeed! He goes everywhere. Everybody knows Thomas Norwell." In making this commonplace rem.ark Chetta had uncon- sciously fallen into the set phrases of supererogation adopted by good society when speaking of itself. I use the term good society as a further illustration of this principle. By evoybody Chetta meant merely high society, and not, as might be inferred from a literal construction, boot-blacks, por- ters, and hackmen, though there came a time when the ears of even those for a brief season rang with the name of Nor- well,' which was on every tonorue. " He seems very popular, said Wilson, "and he deserves to be, for he is an uncommonly good fellow." He was on the point of adding, " Don't you think so. Miss Ingledee?" when a sudden thought arrested his speech just in time. Such a question in a case where the young lady was known to be in- timately acquainted with the young man, might pass beyond the proper bounds of conventional conversation. Her heart would have leaped at the question, though her lips would have framed a very indifferent reply. The mystery of a wo- man's love is like perpetual motion — never to be solved. " How do you like the city, Mr. Wilson?" " I am delighted with it so far." Wilson was, indeed, for- tunate in having a card to high societv in the social standing of the Norwells. With their aid he had seen more in one month of fashionable doings than he could have seen in ten years or perhaps a lifetime imaided. She added : "I must introduce you to Miss De Furrier. She is an heiress of one of the wealthiest families in the city. She leads the very cream of the cream in society." Miss De Furrier was a wo- man of ordinary beauty. There was nothing striking in her appearance, though, she was dressed with exquisite taste. Her manners, which were frank and winning, exhibited thor- ough culture and genuine refinement. The introduction took- place, and Chetta, who could devote little time to each guest, glided elsewhere. Supper by the renowned caterer, Del Mundo, was con- stantly being served after eleven o'clock in the public dining- room of the house and a spacious annex built temporarily for AN IRON CROWN. yi the occasion. The tables groaned (it is customary for tables to groan on such occasions) with the most costly luxuries and exquisite delicacies. There were eatables enough to feed an army, and the way in which they disappeared, showed a high degree of a]:)preciation on the part of the public. Mr. Garmand had secured Aliss Ilarrie Snicker as a partner to supper. Miss Snicker liked foreigners. Americans were so "• common." She had introduced him to her father and her mother who was a tall, faded woman, chiefly noticeable for a scared look in her eyes, and a marked reticence which is popularly sup- posed to be an index of superior wisdom, but which frequent- ly conceals only vacuity. Mr. and Mrs. Snicker, with two or three couples more denominated old folks, had decided on an early supper. The little coterie found seats together at a table. Garmand thought this a favorable opportunity to learn something more about the United States. He had already begun to conclude that perhaps after all this country was considerable of a spot on the map of the world. Had he known that 3,000 miles of forest, mountain and prairie separated Calais, Maine, from San Diego, California; or that an equal space of fertile soil stretched from the gi'aceful palms of Cape Sable to the giant pines of Puget Sound, his suspicion would have been con- firmed. But fortunately for his self-satisfied patriotism he did not know it. Nor was Garmand by any means an igno- ramus. He could locate Arbela and Marathon. He knew considerable about the Saxons, Danes and Normans, and still more about Wellington. He had come to America to learn, and expected to know all worth finding out in one short visit. He began on Miss Harrie Snicker. Before that young lady had been introduced to him five minutes she inadvertently called him " My Lord," and then blushingly apologized, though his disclaimer of the title showed no anger what- ever. " I've heard of the Hoosiers, Miss Snicker. Could you tell me something of the habits of that strange tribe, which, if I am correctly informed, is not yet extinct?" " I don't pay much attention to those horrid common things. I believe they live out West, in Utah, or some- where." " Do they practice polygamy, then?" " What a very strange question. How should I know?" she answered, with a pretty little pout, as if such a question 72 AN IRON CROWN. was hardly the thing to propound to a young lady. « I'll ask pa. Pa." This little syllable was spoken with an indescribable tone which indicated languor of thought, affectation and petu- lance. It was prolonged to several times its natural continua- tion as was befitting any reference, however short, to so im- portant a personage in the ^nicker economy. " What is it, daughter?" inquired Snicker, with his mouth uncomfortably full of fried oysters. " Tell Air. Garmand about the Hoosiers." " They live in Indiana and wear blue jeans," was the laconic reply, with another fried oyster immediately succeed- ing it. "Do they have a plurality of wives?" « A which?" " Several wives, you know." "No; can't hardly support one, I guess." Snicker an- swered in a rather loud, dogmatical tone, which indicated that when he expressed an opinion on any subject, that settled it. "Ah, thank you." Garmand, as became a gallant, again addressed Miss Snicker. "It must be delightfulh- imique to live in a country where so many peoples and customs pass be- fore your eve every day, you know. There are the Hoosiers, the Suckers, the Modocs, the Apaches, and so many other delightfully primitive tribes." " What strange questions you ask, my Lord — I beg par- don — Mr. Garmand, I mean." After this little verbal naugh- tiness a blush struggled to make itself apparent beneath the powder on Miss Snicker's cheek, but fiiiled. She went on: "Those things are so very common that I never pay any attention to them." Common was a word of daily, nay, hourl}^ necessity in the Snicker vocabulary. The family looked with contempt on anything common, including the sixth sense of that name. Snicker, Senior, was "no common man, su"," as he frequently informed his acquaintances. For this reason Tom Norwell, Hickley, Silas Ingledee, and the young men generally, knew him confidentially as the " Old Commoner." Fred Snicker was the " Young Commoner," and Miss Harrie " The Little Commoner." In despair at such meager results, Garmand again directed his battery against the Old Commoner. " This seems to be a country of considerable opportunity, Mr. Snicker. The common people, I observe, appear to have considerable to say here." AN IRON CROWN. 73 The common people he had seen in Fifth avenue did, in- deed, seem to create some stir in the world. "Grand opportunities, sir," came back, fiUered through a spoonful of lobster salad. " And open apparently to the peasantry." "The which, sir?" " The peasantry, the ah — the lower closses, you know." " We've no peasantry here, Mr. Garmand. Our people are intelligent citizens, sir. With us they are simply the com- mon people." " And the opportunities, you know, are they open to all?" " Well, in one sense yes, in one sense no." Snicker de- livered this opinion slowly in sections, conscious of its vast importance. " There are great opportunities in America, but it takes no common man to seize them, sir." He uncon- sciously used the word seize with precision. If there were less seizing, doubtless there would be fewer great opportuni- ties. " For instance," he continued, seriously impeded with chicken and jelly, " I scooped a million out of sugar." "No! really, you know," ejaculated Garmand. " Why didn't other people do it?" He did not reflect that if everybody had at the same time engaged in scooping sugar, the supply both of scoops and sugar might have been inadequate. " I scarcely understand you," said Garmand, with a puz- zled air. " I said I scooped a million out of sugar. It's simple enough, but no common thing, I assure you." "Oh, I see," said Garmand. "You were ah — once en- gaged in a sugar factory, eh?" This was a very natural mistake, for Snicker's well-knit, portly frame, short neck and powerful hand indicated very superior powers when anything was to be scooped in a physi- cal sense. " Wrong, sir," said Snicker, with as much dignity as could be assumed under the depressing influences of a tart that persisted in dripping. "I bought low and sold high. When the war beg:an I saw that susrar was sroin' to o-o hioher than Gilderoy's kite. I bought all there was in the market. Simple enough, wasn't it?" '• Chavvmingly simple." " Part of it was molasses. Pa." " Oh, a trifle of a hundred thousand barrels," he replied. 74 AN IRON CROWN. dismissing the subject and the tart at the same time, with a wave of his hand. The party now left the table to escape the crush which was beginning to be felt in the vicinity of the edibles. Mr. Ingledee did not play the host with the same genial- ity that marked the efforts of his daughter. He was studi- ously polite to all, but extra attentions on his part were scarcely becoming to his position unless bestowed on noted men, such as the Hon. Dave Sawder. It was quite enough for the rank and file to be invited to his house at all. If cordiality might seem lacking, there was much real dignity in his commanding figure and rigorously polite manner. He and the Hon. Dave Sawder were discussing politics. Ingle- dee had strong convictions that the only way to save the country was to keep the party which was now in power in possession of the government. There was much patriotic talk about the best interests of the country, some about the purity of the ballot box, and some on the currency question. The suljject nearest both their hearts, — the attitude of the people and tlie government on the railroad question, — was not mentioned at all. That could be better discussed elsewhere. A Mr. Brownell joined in the conversation. Brownell was a pompons man of most patrician appearance. He was very wealthy, and had no business. He and his family spent a great deal of time abroad, where the conditions appeared to be more favorable to the proper nurture of their transcend- ent pride. The care of this was quite enough for one man. It left him no time to fulfil the common duties of a citizen. He paid heavy taxes without a murmur because that was a matter of course, and cost nothing but money. He had no time to vote, and boasted that he had never participated in that plebeian performance but once when he was very young. Sawder was trying with indifferent success to convince him that it was his duty to vote. Brownell, as a compromise, said he would ask his private secretary to go to the polls, — thought he was a voter, was not quite sure. In Mr. Brow- nell's estimation it was scarcely worth while being an Amer- ican citizen. The Rornan, in that elder day, thought to be a Roman citizen v/as greater than a king. Mr. Fred Snicker, who had joined the group, said with considerable show of patriotism that he intended to cast his first vote " even if it did rain and prove disagweeable." Horace Roker announced a like determination. Snicker continued : AN IRON CROWN. 75 "It's a deuccdly disagweeable duty tliough. I think there ought to be separate polls planted for the upper classes." He spoke of the polls as if he referred to a hop yard. " To stand and be challenged by one of those fellows is too bad. In fact, I consider it very abwupt to interrogate a gentleman that way." The Ingledee ball was drawing to a end at three in the morning. It had been a most brilliant affair. Two thousand guests had been invited. There were beautiful women, gor- geous costumes and sparkling jewels of fabulous worth. The air w^as heavy with the perfume of choice flowers, and a thou- sand gas jets, softened by translucent screens, poured down a flood of lambent light. Rapturous strains of music rose and fell from time to time through the spacious ballroom and saloons. An unceasing hum of voices was everywhere. The constant movement of richly-dressed ladies from place to place continually shifted the scene like the magic changes of the kaleidoscope. Guests continued to arrive until so late an hour that the incoming tide searcely cleared the way for those homeward bound. Blooming maiden and stately dame, callow youth and bearded manhood, all feasted their eyes on the prevailing splendor that shone in every detail of the gorgeous whole. The ball was a success. It cost one hundred thousand dollars. It was an occasion never to be forgotten by those who had participated. It made nobody happier or better, but it stirred to its depths a whole ocean of pride, and there was a vast satisfaction in that. Some there were who thought all this time and money and effort well expended. To them it was a choice oblation to the god Style, who is exalted by the side of Mammon in the modern Pantheon. Miss Harrie Snicker was happy, for she had " assisted " at the greatest social event that had ever occurred in New York. Miss Ingledee was satisfied because she had succeeded in playing hostess on this, her first great occasion, without a jar in the movement of the great social panorama. Mr. Ingledee was satisfied that the thing was well done and would pay, and that was enough for him. In short, everybody seemed satisfied except those who were not invited. CHAPTER VIII. " WILL YOU WALK INTO MY PARLOR, SAID THE SPIDER TO THE FLY." We find ourselves again in the palatial quarters of the Argosy Club. In the smoking room sat Mr. Norwell and Mr. Ingledee. Though nev^er intimate, the two were on speaking terms. Lntely Mr. Ingledee hail seen fit to make the acquaintance a trifle closer and more cordial on his part. Mr. Norwell was a capitalist, and by some occult process Ingledee had learned that he was investing heavily in rail- way securities. Mr. Ingledee was largely interested in the Pacific Midland, a trunk line which, like its twin iniquity engineered by Ophir, was " a great public necessity." The onl}' difference was that Ingiedee's public necessity was located some thousand miles, more or less, farther from civil- ization than Opliir's. Consequently it was so much farther from the public eye, which oi-gan so frequently fails to see as to give rise to the painful suspicion that it is stone blind. The Midland got iiS necessary legislation through Con- gress by joining forces with the Continental & Pacific. Together these great corporations, through the lobby or "Third House," moved on the national Legislature. There was unlimited wining and dining and trading of influence, and the smiles of fair women of amiable dispositions, and making of presents, and "•seeing" of Congressmen when all other means had failed. And so the railroads got what they asked, while a betrayed nation slept, only to awake covered with shame and disgraced by the men it had honored. In all history, even in the days of Roman infamy, thei'e is no record of a greater grab. Of all the steals, rings and rascalities which grew out of the Civil War, and the demoralization conse- quent upon it, these were the most unscrupulous in concep- tion, daring in execution, and colossal in proportions. These companies built their roads out of the generous bounty of the government, which bounty was granted for the (76) AN IRON CROWN. 77 sole purpose of building a national highway for the benefit of the people. Their land grant was in itself an empire, and they scrupled not to take possession of it before they Iiad ful- filled the conditions laid down in their charter. The unfor- tunate settlers on such lands were driven from their homes in some instances by bands of hired murderers, employed by these soulless money kings of the New World.* American citizens were shot down in cold blood in order that these grasping despots might have a few more acres. Others lived in dread of ejectment under forms of law from homes right- fully theirs, and reclaimed from nature by their own hands. The machinery of the state and United States government is often invoked in assisting unrighteous acts of usurpation, while the people sit indifferent. When the horse has been stolen, and the thief beyond reach of the law (as these par- ticular thieves already are), there will doubtless be a great hue and cry and much show of putting padlocks on the doors of the national stable, which needs a second Hercules for its cleansing. Ingledee was endeavoring to convince Norwell that a little of the Pacific Midland stock would be a good thing to have. It had undoubtedly been a good thing for him and his three or four associate conspirators, who, beginning with a few thousand dollars, now controlled the whole of this great corporation, and wielded an influence which even the United States Government could not successfully oppose. The gov- ernment subsidy in bonds, together with the company's own bonds, which took precedence by the Sawder act over the government lien, sutbced to build the road. The company had their capital stock of sixty millions and nearly twelve million acres of land free. This stock rose to nearly par in due time, because the commerce of several states was obliged to pass over the line, and its franchises were of immense value. Was ever such a princely gift bestowed anywhere outside the fairy realms of the Arabian Nights? Statesmen of the Dave Sawder type are very generous with public property. What did Uncle Sam get in return? The privi- lege of paying for a railroad without the right of owning or controlling it, and a second mortgage which he has found no # means of collecting. What did the people of the <5c;/;c;f/'f IRON CROWN. 331 " Tom," she said, after a pause, during which his thoughts were very busy, " may I ask you a question?" " Certainly," "Ave you quite sure you will not be angry with me?' "What a question!" he exclaimed, with some surprise, as those trustnig blue eyes looked up to his. " How could I be angry with you? What is it, dear?" he said, as she still hes- itated. " When do you think we shall be married?" "That is hard to answer. I must make enough money first." " Couldn't we live on a little?" " Not in New York." " I can wait a long time, Tom, for you. But then I thought maybe you were trying to get too much for me. I don't care for much. Couldn't we live somewhere else on less money?" " Yes, but my opportunities are better in New York. I am acquainted here, you see." " I think we could be just as happy on a small income till we got better off." " You know very little of the world, May." She was silent a moment, then she began: " I should like — that is if you don't care" — then she stopped. " Well, go on," said Tom kindly. "Couldn't I tell Alice at least of our engagement? It is very awkward, you know, besides, I think she expects it." " I shouldn't tell her just yet. Alice is a little queer some- times. She may object and make present arrangements un- pleasant. Then you could not stop in New York very well. It is a great bore to have people congratulating you, too. You wouldn't like it. May, at all. The fact is, I have a deal in which I hope to make considerable money soon. Then when I am sure of it we will declare ourselves to the world and marry as soon as we like. We will surprise them. At present it is better as it is." " Oh, I do so hope you will succeed, Tom. You know I go home to Illinois next week, so you must write me just as soon as you make your fortune. Don't wait a minute, for you know how I shall expect it." " Mustn't I write till I make my fortune?" " Yes, indeed, you naughty fellow, you must write every single day, or I shall be mad at you." 332 AN lUON CROWN. And tell you how all our friends are?" "Yes." "Gentlemen and ladies?" " I've no doubt vou could say something about all the young ladies. You city men all flirt dreadfully. But if you please, Mr. Norwell," she said, assuming a mock severity, "you are on your good behavior so far as young ladies are con- cerned." " Even with Miss Snicker?" " Yes, or Miss Ingledee. By the way, Tom, she is a very old friend of yours, isn't she?" " Yes, an old friend of the family." " And a pretty good one, isn't she? At least she seems to me to be." " Why, yes, I hope so," said Tom carelessly. CHAPTER XXXIII. RUIN, UTTER RUIN AND DISGRACE. The movement in Gridiron stock engineered by Ophir and Ingledee had affected other securities, and there was a sharp advance all along the line. Gridiron stocks soared higher every hour. Thousands of shorts were badly nipped. The bulls were squeezing enormous sums out of the bears. Tom Norwell was jubilant. He was making thousands, almost hour by hour. His broker urged, pleaded that he should sell out. Tom was carried away by the excitement. When Gridiron reached one hundred, he thought it would go to one hundred and twenty-five. Suddenly, and without any apparent reason, there was a decline of two or three points. Again the broker said sell, but Norwell was not alarmed. Holding steady that day. Gridiron dropped heavily next day at the opening, and weakened till the close. Every- body was puzzled — that is, everybody except the old operat- ors, who suspected the nature of the manipulation going on. The broker now had no advice to offer. Tom determined to hold on and risk the chances of recovering lost ground. Next day stocks dropj^ed still lower. Norwell became alarmed. He had bought at a rather high figure after the AN IRON CROWN. 333 advance began, and a few more points would wipe out his profits and endanger his investment. He became exceedingly anxious, and watched the quotations as a man struggling for life in the water watches the approach of a rescuing boat. But the inexorable figures recorded onl\' disaster. Down, down, down went Gridiron till Tom's twenty thou- sand dollars were nearly wiped out. Soon the broker would demand more margins or close the deal, and with it close Tom's hopes. Norwell knew that the little money he had remaining available was scarcely a drop in this seething Niagara. He stared at the ticker like a man demented, then would rush into the street wildly, only to rush back again and look at the slowly crawling paper ribbon with the quo- tations. There! The margin is gone and with it twenty thousand dollars original investment and five -times the sum in profits since the highest point had been reached. In desperation and with trembling fingers Norwell drew a check for one thousand dollars, and put it up as additional margin. The confusion and excitement were indescribable. Men acted more like lunatics or wild animals in a stampede than rational human beings. It was every one to save him- self, if possible, though hundreds were already bankrupt after enormous losses. Such times are as bad as battle to upset men's sober reason. They meet. They consult excitedly. They rush to a neighboring office, then rush back again, scarce knowing what they do. They delay. They resort to artifices, and strive to gain time by trickery. They shout, they swear, they gesticulate. But the inexorable fate in the person of the dreadful ticker cuts one by one their puny threads, and down they sink, to rise no more in Wall street. Only the men of uncommon coolness and nerve, backed by experience, manage to retain complete control of their senses in such a crisis. Norwell was cognizant only of a frenzied determination to hold on. Everybody felt sure that stocks would soon rally. The broker felt confident of this too. If Norwell could only hold out he might yet save himself. If malignant spirits are allowed to roam this earth and tempt weak mortals, as many estimable people believe, ignor- ing man's natural fertility of evil, one must have whispered in Norwell's ear. Just around the corner, in the vaults of a bank, lay Alice's bonds, — twenty-five thousand dollars in first- class six per cent, securities of a prosperous Western city. Tom always carried Khe key of the vault drawer. It occurred 334 AN IRON CROWN. to him to borrow these bonds for one day only. Alice would never know it, and was he not justifiable in using her money to save his own? But he had no time to think over the matter. The ticker was busy recording another decline. In a few minutes the bonds as collateral were in the broker's hands, and Norwell, confident that he was safe, went out to lunch, feeling greatly relieved from the terrible strain under which he had been laboring. Meeting Hickley on the street, the two went together to a quiet restaurant several blocks distant, a fiivorite resort of the lawyer's. " Lively times in Wall street," said Hickley, as they walked along the quiet street which led to their destination. « Rather lively." "Are you in, Norwell?" " Somewhat, yes." "I couldn't stand the excitement of such business. It would kill me." "Is it worse than politics, Hickley?" asked Tom, turning the tables. " Why, of course it is, unless perhaps when a man is running for President, or something of that sort. Politics as a trade is a bad enough business." "Yes, it is at times a pretty dirty trade." " But no worse than stock gambling. I'm ashamed of politics myself, Norwell, and am trying to get out of it. As for the other, thank God, I value my peace of mind too much to try that. How do you stand on the deal, Norwell?" " I' was a hundred thousand ahead, but I've dropped back a little," said Norwell evasively. " Close out and keep out. If you had come to me, I might have given you a pointer." "What?"" "I'll not say what since you didn't come in time; but you know I am attorney for a certain railroad, and what I say must be in strict confidence. There's a nigger in the woodpile." "Who is he, and where is he?" *'No matter who he is. I can only guess. Get out and stay out." Before the close of business the concealed African gave the woodpile a tremendous shaking up. Out of his mere Ethiopian wantonness he sent billets flying hither and thither AN IRON CROWN. 335 like leaves before a gale. His sport was no sport for the street, and several small firms, with one or two large ones, closed their doors. With a rush Gridiron settled to its old quotations, which it had maintained for several weeks before. When the hour for closing arrived, Tom Norwell's last dol- lar and Alice's bonds had sunk out of sight. He and his sister were again penniless. Norwell was so completely stunned by the disaster that he could scarcely realize what had happened. For the first time in his life he felt ill. He felt a weakness and confusion of ideas that he had never before experienced. He was inca- pable of thinking coherently, and lacked the courage to dwell on the consequences of the disaster that had befallen him. It must be only a dream, he said to himself. He started to walk, mechanically, not knowing or caring whither he went. Before he was aware of his direction, he found himself on the wharf at the Battery. A sudden and irresistible impulse came over him to throw himself into the water and end the losing battle of life. Then he thought of his sister, and how cruel and cowardly it would be to desert her in her poverty. He began walking again. At last, without knowing how, he found himself far up in the outskirts of Brooklyn. He had crossed the ferry and paid his fare without being conscious of the fact. He returned to New York. He was gradually regaining control of himself, and the thought that constantly tortured him was, "How can I tell her?" Starting up town by some unknown impulse he took the Bowery instead of Broadway, and branching off to the east side, soon found himself at Pipe Malley & Co.'s store. It was now seven o'clock in the evening, and he remembered that Alice would be anxious because he had not come home to dinner. Fortunately, he recollected that May Bryce had said adieu that morning, and gone to her aunt's, intending to leave soon for Illinois. He was very glad of it. Now the wedding must be deferred a long time. His misfortune was all the harder because it involved loved ones. As for himself, he could have easily borne it. Entering the store Norwell bought a couple of oranges, for he was very thirsty and tired, as he all at once realized. He sat down and commenced to peel an orange with des- perate calmness. He picked off every little fiber of adhering rind, prolonging the operation as much as possible. He, 336 AN IKON CKOWN. dreaded to go home, and this trivial employment was a pro- crastination of the final trial which he must undergo. Pipe eyed him curiously. At length he said: " Mr. Norwell, I'm awful glad you dropped in. I want to ask your advice, 'cos I know you kin tell me." "What is it Malley? " asked Tom, without looking up. " Do you know any capitalist as could negotiate an' loan a feller twenty-five dollars? " Looking at the boy Norwell saw, what under other cir- cumstances he would have noticed at first, that Pipe appeared ill at ease. The young man had nervously dusted the counter, and looked in the money drawer several times with no ap- parent object. " Well, I don't know. Pipe," said Tom. " I suppose that means that you are asking me for a loan?" " I reckon that's about the size of it. It's awful cheeky, I know, but 3'ou see you're more like an old friend than any- body I knows that's got money. Fact is, I'm in a fix. I've got some paper out an' I got ter raise twenty-five dollars more to meet it." Pipe spoke of having paper out with a conscious pride that his mercantile transactions had grown to such an extent that they could not be managed any longer on a cash basis. Judging from his evident anxiety, however, he would gladly have exchanged the doubtful honor of having paper out for the paper itself. " You see if I don't meet it them bank roosters won't wait a minnit. They'll put it into a potest, an' then my credit's gone up higher'n a kite." " I see," said Tom reflectively, as he began peeling a second orange. " 1 kin git it from mother. She has mor'n that tied up in a flannen rag, but I ain't the kind to go spongin' on my mother 'nless I have to. If I can't raise it — but there's no use talkin' that way, I've ^0/ to raise it — wy I 'spose I'll have to call on her fur it." Tom took out his pocketbook. There was some two hundred dollars in it, which he had forgotten in the excitement of the day, or that too would have gone. " Here is twenty-five dollars. Pipe. I should be sorry to see you in trouble. Pay me when you can." "Thank'ee, Mr. Norwell. I'll write a note." " That's all right, Malley, I want no note. What is this debt for. Pipe?" " Well you see, I bought a stock of goods part cash, an' give a note fur the balance. Biz was good an' chink come in AN IRON CROWN. 337 like dirt. It looked so j^lenty that I put twenty-five into stocks, an' the ttnnble jlst about knocked that out first round. The broker says I ought to have twenty-five more to-morrer, or the whole thing's gone up. I can't raise it an' pay the note too." " Pipe Malley, take my advice. Let that deal go and never take another. Keep the twenty-five dollars to pay your note." "Wot! an lose wot's in?" " Yes, you will probably lose it any way. " But the broker says he thinks — " " Pay no attention to the broker. Keep clear of him in future." Something in Norwell's manner aroused Pipe's suspicions. " Mr. Norwell, was you in too? " " Yes, and got nipped too. I tell you this hoping it will influence you to keep out." " I'm awful sorry. Was you nipped bad? " « Pretty badly." "Awful bad?" "Yes bad enough, I can tell you." " It's a ding rotted shame the way them Wall street chaps cheats honest fellers like us. Say, Mr. Norwell, if you got nipped, mebbe you need this money?" "No, Pipe, not if it will save you from the sheriff; keep it." " But, if I let that deal flicker, I don't need it. I kin squeeze through on the note. Take back yer money. Mister Norwell. I wouldn't take it from you fur anything in the world under them circumstances." "Just as you say, Malley." " I'd a heap ruther you would." Norwell pocketed the money, and commenced his journey homeward, the saddest of his life. Mr. Pipe Malley went home that evening in no very amiable mood. As Pipe, Mrs. Malley, and Quill were gathered round the breakfast table next morning, it was evident that sleep had not fully restored serenity to the head of the house, Pipe having, by general consent, gradually risen to that responsible dignity. After an interval of silence, during which Pipe had been laboring assiduously with a large slice of ham and two eggs turned, that young gentleman renewed the conversation: " We can't stand no sich extravagance as this, mother. 33S AN lUOX CROWN. Look at this ere lay out," and he hiid down his knife and fork to survey the table. " Ham, an' ec^gs, an' Initter, an' cream, an' sugar, all to wunst. We're livin' too high." Mrs. Malley, who was pouring out her third cup of coffee, set down the coffee pot in amazement. Quill, who was just in the act of sticking his fork into a third fried egg^ received such a start that he' almost dropped the egg on the tablecloth. He managed, however, to land it dexterously on his plate, when he paid no futher attention to the egg, but made a furi- ous onslauglit on the "heel" of a loaf, which portion ordi- narily his epicurean taste was inclined to reject. It might be sound polic}' to eat crust this morning as a ruse to divert Pipe's attention from the riotous luxury surrounding him. " Dear me suz, Pipey. I don't see any high livin'. Pve always had plenty, an' I'm alv/ays goin' to have it while I'm able to work." "But I tell ye, mother, high livin' costs like fun, an' be- sides, it ain't healthy. The doctors all say so." "Lord help me boy, where do you see any high livin'.'' Just name the article, won't ye.?" " Well, there's Quill jist gittin' away with the third egg.''^ That gentleman's little stratagem with the crust had proved a miserable failure. He had wrenched his jaw all to no pur- pose. He muttered something about " likin' a negg as well as anybody." " Bettern' anybody," growled Pipe. " Now, Pipe, you're in a bad humor this mornin'. You'd better swaller your breakfast an' light right out to yer work, an' you'll feel belter by noon. If Quill wants three eggs he's goin' to have 'em as long as I'm able to cook 'em, mind that now." " I tell ye three eggs ain't healthy. Any doctor will tell ye that." " Bad luck to the doctors. T ain't livin' for doctors. When your poor fayther was took what did the doctors do? Nothin' but send in their bill. Faith boy, is it starvin' us you are goia' to try? " " Yer not goin' to starve, mother; yer sweetenin' the third cup o' coffee now. Two cups is enough fur anybody. Coffee perduces effects in the stummick, an' most likely in the lights too." " Pipe, I think yer clean gone out o' yer senses. Yer talkin' like a crazy man. Do you think I'd do without me AN IKON CROWN. 339 coffee? It never hurt my lights. An' if it did, I'm not savin' me hghts to will to somebody. I'm a usin' 'cm myself. I'll not care for 'em when the rest of me's done, I guess. But yer jawin' like an old man with the rheumatiz. What's the matter with ye this mornin'?" " I can't stand sich extravagance. Cos I'm in business I hain't a millionaire yet. I've got some paper to meet." " Wrappin' paper is it? Sure me boy, 111 lend ye some o' me laundry paper." " VVrap2:)in' paper! " said Pipe, exhibiting mingled pity and disgust. " Mother, it ain't much use to tell you or Quill anything about business. But then of coui^se you never was in business, an' hain't expected to know wot paper is. Paper is notes. I got a note to meet to-day." " To meet, did you say? " « Yes, to pay." " Notes is a bad business, Pipey. How much is the note?" " Twenty-five dollars." Pipe named the amount of this enormous obligation with a stress that seemed to swell the sum total to twenty-five thousand. " Ah, Pipe, it's a bad day when you make debts. How did you ever get into debt head over heels like that? Take warnin' by yer fayther. Five hundred dollars doesn't grow on bushes. Yer fayther throwed money round like he owned a mint. It went into whiskey in the wholesale lick- er trade, though I think a deal of the stuff went retail, an' then by bad debts an' by hook an' crook he failed intirely and left us all without a cent. Misfortune sent yer poor fayther to the graveyard. Pipe, how did ye ever do it? How could ye get into debt like that?" " I tell yer it takes capital to carry on a business. Now it's done, an' that's the main thing." " Pipe, don't worry any more. I've three times the sum all in clean gold. I'll loan you twenty-five." " No, mother, I can squeeze along without it somehow. I won't borrow money. It hain't safe to do business on borrered capital. I can't pay Quill's salary for two weeks, mebbe, an' I guess. Quill, you'll have to pack that 'ere last consignment of oranges up from the wholesaler's. They'll be invoisted to us to-day. So git yer hat, we must be stirrin'." With this Pipe went into the front room looking for some- thing. The last fried ^%% was lying on the plate. Quill had furtively cast longing eyes on it for some time. Mrs. 34° AN IRON CROWN. Malley, with a mother's instinct, read his wishes in his face. Scarcely had Pipe turned his back before she took uj) the dish and a knife and giving the cg^ a dexterous turn, landed it on his plate. At two bites it had disappeared, but being fried rather hard the e'^g refused to go down readily. This was an emergency. Pipe was waiting and they must go to the store. But Quill's long experience in such exigencies brought him through triumphantly, as it had done many times before. A great gulp of cold coffee did the business, and hastily wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Quill joined Pipe outside. On that eventful evening, Tom Norwell reached home about eight o'clock. His sister, who had been surprised at his not appearing in time for their dinner at six, finally con- cluded that he had been detained on business. Meeting him at the door, she inquired: "What delayed you, Tom? I expected you at dinner." " I think I did not start as early as usual, Alice," he re- plied in a husky voice. He took off ^lis hat, and instead of hanging it on the rack, stood hokling it in his hand. She saw at once there was something the matter. He could not face her and conceal the agony he was suffering. " Brother, what is the matter? You are ill?" She took his hat and hung it on the rack. Then he followed her mechanically into the small parlor. As the full light of the gas fell on his face she could see that he was suffering keenly. A few hours had drawn deep lines on his brows and around the mouth. A stranger would scarcely have recognized his haggard countenance. " Tom, you are ill," she said anxiously. " What is it?" " I think I have over-exerted myself to-day," He dared not look her in the face as he told this poor miserable lie, the first of his life. He felt that his dreadful confession must be made then and there, but every moment of respite was sweet. He would willingly, yes gladly, have died to make reparation to this sister, who was so dear to him. " I'll get you some sponge cake and wine." " Oh, no," he said, in a tone which to her ear was full of anguish. « I couldn't eat anything — I think — I am not well." "Tom, what is it?" she said, drawing close to him and placing her hand on his shoulder. Then, as she remembered that there had been a flurry in Wall street, she asked: AN IKON CROWN. 34I " Is it stocks?" " Yes," answered Tom, with a moan. " I've feared this for a long time." Tlien, in a gentler tone, she asked : "Is it bad?" « Everything." " Poor bov, certainly something is left." "Nothing. I put in every dollar. I'm a beggar." Still he dared not tell her all. "Well, Tom, lam just as son"y as you are. It isn't much comfort now to talk about looking at the bright side of things. But then we haven't lost everything, and you shall share mine. We can both get along on that till you find something to do." "Oh, sister, don't talk of sharing," he groaned. There was a pause, and she replied in a confused way, dimly real- izing the import of his remark: " Tom, I don't understand you." "There's nothing to share, sister. I'm a base villain; I've robbed you. Dear sister, you ai'e a beggar, and I'm the cause of it." His tone was piteous. He was not depre- cating her just anger like a coward, but only giving way to the pent-up feelings of contrition that welled in his heart. After a moment's pause, during which he awaited his sen- tence, she began in a tone of hot indignation: " And you have done this; you, my own brother. I told vou it would come to this, but you laughed at my fears and my tears. I told you it made men paupers, and what is worse, rogues, liars, and thieves — yes thieves," she added, in a hard tone. " I am to blame. I have robbed you," was his only answer. "And I warned you, too." "I know you did. You need not spare me. I don't de- serve it." " To think it should come to this, that men will steal bread from their wives and children and sisters. God cer- tainly will curse such doings." "Alice, I did wrong. I deserve no longer your respect, but the word thief is a hard one." " What's the use of mincing words?" " There's none. Let it stand. Some day you may be sorry for saying it. If God gives me life and strength, I 342 AN IRON CROWN. will pnv you every cent. I shall never forget that vou were once my sister." He turned to leave the room. She tried to stop him. " Oh, Tom, dear brother, don't go away like that. I was angrv, and spoke too hastily. Come back." He never seemed to hear her at all, but taking his hat, walked slowly into the street. " I was too hasty. He was sorely tempted. I ought to have carried the key of the vault drawer myself. Oh, the miserable money! I have lost my brother, my only dear one. Aloney always brings us a curse." She sank into a chair and wept tears of bitter sorrow. CHAPTER XXXIV. A FRIEND IN NEED. Next morning at breakfast they sat for a long time in silence. At length Alice said: " Tom, I wouldn't w^orry about the money. We are both young and strong. We can easily get along." " I care nothing for myself, Alice. It's only for you." " Let us forget all that. Forgive me for saying what I did last night. I was hasty. Won't you forgive me?" she repeated, as he made no answer. " I think you were very hard on me Alice, even if I had done you a great wrong. I will keep my word and repay you every cent." " Let us not talk of the money, Tom, only say you for- give me." " Yes, Alice, I forgive 3'ou, though it is I who should beg forgiveness. We'll say no more about it." But in s^oite of his words. Which were fair, Alice felt that an estrangement had begun between her and her brother. He full}' realized the wrong lie had done, but her sharp words had cut like a knife and wounded his pride. lie could never meet his sister again on equal terms till he repaid her what he had lost of hers. The Norwells were again very poor. They made ar- rangements to give up their comfortable apartments, and AN IRON CROWN. 343 board in a cheap locality where living was less expensive. Alice resolved that she would now continue her studies in short-hand and prepare to make her ov^^n living. When Chetta Tngledee htjard of their ill-luck she was in deep dis- tress. She regretted that she had not gone directly to Tom and warned him of danger. Obedience to parents is a sacred duty and the ties of kindred enjoin the patriotism of blood, which is next to the love of country. But there arc times when loyalty, even to 2:>arents, may be a crime instead of a virtue. This was such an occasion. As Chetta thought that a call upon Alice would, at the present time, probably be re- ceived in rather bad grace she determined to reach Tom more directly. So she invited him to call, ostensibly with reference to the arrangements for a social affair she had in hand. Tom came and passed an hour or so very pleasantly. Chetta was very kind. Finally, she alluded to the late finan- cial crisis and remarked that she had heard that some of her friends were caught on the wrong side of the market. " Yes," he said, with as cheerful an air as he could assume. " Some of us did get slightly worsted." " Were your losses heavy, Mr. Norwell? " " Much heavier than I can afford," he replied, making no attempt at concealment from one whom he felt was after all perhaps the most sympathetic and appreciative friend he had in the world. " I'm very sorry. Such things are not right." " I blame no one, Miss Ingledee. I was unfortunate, that was all." As best she could, on this delicate subject, Chetta poured the balm of sympathy on his disappointed feelings. There was no effusive bubbling of hyperbolic adjectives. He felt tliat her sorrow for his misfortune was real. Then with it came, all of a sudden, the revelation to his soul that this woman could understand his nature and sympathize with it as no other could. With it came the warning that he was scarcely loyal to May Bryce, even in harboring such a thought, and that it was not best for him to meet Miss Ingledee often. Before he left, Chetta inquired about Alice and her friend May Bryce, and why they had not called upon her. Tom was scarcely prepared to explain satisfactorily why they had failed to call, and was slightly embarrassed by the question. In truth, he had never encouraged his sister to take May to call on Chetta Ingledee. He did not care to have these 344 ■'^^' iri<^N' CROWN. Wf)mcn meet at all. No good could come of their knowing each other, and there was imminent danger that each might misconstrue his friendliness with the other. Chetta saw that her various attempts to obtain information indirectly, concern- ing May Bryce, were not very successful. She persisted how- ever, until Tom told her that his sister's guest was the daughter of an Illinois farmer, and had been visiting an aunt in the East. She was a great friend of Alice's, though, he added parenthetically, he believed that girls always had to have a very, very intimate, dear right-hand friend of their own sex some time or other, usually in fact, a succession of them. With this explanation Chetta was obliged for the present to be content, though by no means satisfied. She could not for- get her brother's surmise about that " other girl," and she still had a suspicion that May was the person in question. Again at times she thought that her suspicions did Tom Norwell an injustice, for he was alwa^'s very agreeable, and gave no sign whatever of being offended with her. He merely kept away without appearing to try to avoid her. Perhaps, she reasoned, if he were in some settled occupation and prosperous again, he would once more be the jolly, good-natured Tom Norwell he had once been, and better still, her lover. She would aid him by her influence, as she had done before. When Chetta Ingledee once formed a conception of what was the best thing to be done, she did not allow the idea to perish of inanity, wdiile she speculated indecisively as to whether she would really attempt it. With her action fol- lowed thought as surely, and as much a consequence, as fatigue follows exercise. The next morning at breakfast the father and daughter were alone, Silas not yet having appeared. " Papa, I wish you could retire from business. Ilave you not enough already?" " Why to be sure, daughter, so far as money goes, I had enough long ago. I make money now because the habit grows on me. I love the activity which has led me on to fortune. And then each additional million means so much more influence, so much power, so many triumphs over my rivals." " Papa, do you think you always use this power aright? Power may be a very dangerous thing in the wrong hands." " My child, you don't understand the intricate, occult in- fluences which permeate great financial operations. All changes in the commercial, religious or political condition ot AN IRON CROWN. 345 a nation take place according to fixed natural laws. It is one of nature's laws that there must be very rich men." "I think that is man's law rather than God's." " Now you are talking nonsense, my daughter. You must not decide such questions from accidental circumstances and superficial observation." " I do not pretend to understand all about these things, but I do understand one thing, and that is that good men suf- fer by these money disturbances. Look at Mr. Norwell for instance. And now his son has lost everything." " I am sorry for Thomas Norwell. I told him if he ever wanted to deal to come to me and I would give him as- sistance, but you see he chose to depend on his own judginent, and in consequence lost. I'm afraid Norwell is not doing the best lately." As Mr. Ingledee said this he quickly scanned his daughter's face, but she betrayed no sign of unusual in- terest, much less surprise. " What do you mean, papa?" " Well, he is growing reckless. I hear he gambles too." " Papa, I do not believe a word of that." "I have it from good authority." "Did Silas tell you?" " No, Chetta, I could scarcely get such information from Silas." "Then I don't believe It." " I scarcely think myself he has followed It far, but a be- ginning is dangei'ous." Mr. Ingledee said this utterly unconscious of the direct application of the principle to the methods by which his own fortune had been acquired. In his mind no relation whatever existed between making a fictitious sale and thereby wagering a heavy sum, and betting on cards. He would have denied the relation indignantly, had any one pointed it out. The verbal distinction existing between the words business and fra7Jibling had for him all the force of a moral one. Thou- sands of men besides railway kings, are unable or unwilling to see that rechristening an evil and stamping it with public approval, does not make it right. " Papa, don't you think we could help Mr. Norwell some way?" " How do you mean ?" " Perhaps there is some position on some of your lines?" " Nothing that he would care for; besides, he would have 346 AN IRON CROWN. to go to the Pacific coast in all probability, which most likely he would not like to do. Ophir's interests and connections with Eastern roads might help him," « Would you speak to Mr. Ophir?" As Chetta said this, she thought of that interview in Ingledee's private office. She knew he could if he would. " I have alreaciy asked one great favor of Ophir in connec- tion with this young man. I scarcely like the idea of becom- ing his intercessor a second time. Besides, Norwell might not thank me for it." " You might at least give him the chance." " Chetta, do you. really wish this?" " 1 do." "Is there anything you have not told me? Is Tom Nor- well anything more than a friend to you?" " He is not," replied Chetta, coloring slightly. " Do you expect him to be?" " Papa, I think even you have scarcely the right to ask me this question under the. circumstances. Tom Norwell has al- ways been our friend, as you know. What he may think of our family I have no means of knowing. No one would mis- understand you, I think, in this matter." It was arranged after considerable persuasion on her part that Ingledee should use his influence with Ophir to obtain Norwell a situation with one of the great railway lines. Hickley was to be asked to inform Tom, so that the latter might never know just how he came by the offer. He would not accept anything that came directly from Ophir in any shape. Chetta was happy. She knew the full extent of her fiither's influence just then with Ophir. Meantime the Norwells were to experience once more a hard, disagreeable fact, a fact hoary with antiquity, that noth- ing so tries friendship as a change of fortune. A severe finan- cial reverse will separate true friends from the chafF of hol- low friendship as certainly as the magnet selects iron filings from a heap of litter, leaving the fluff and dust. Prosperity warms at the hearth of friendship, while poverty freezes in the entry. I said true friends, but after all, may not a friend as honestly admire your fine house as yourself? He is a true friend after his kind. Around the Snicker family altar — I do not mean the altar which a sentimental tradition still tacitly ascribes to the '■'elongings of every well-regulated household, but, which in the S.Mcker family usually stood silent and de- AN IRON CROWN. 347 serted because it was so dreadfully common, — it was the new altar, the altar of Mammon, whence a cloud of incense sweet with tons and tons of sugar, perpetually rose, as the Snicker high priest, clad in the broadest of phylacteries, proudh' swung his golden censer — at this family altar the Norwells were discussed and done for in a very brief space. " Norwell's busted again, Matilda," said the Old Commoner sententiously to his thin, negative consort. " Overtrading, I suppose?" " Overtrading!" he replied, with a spice of contempt for her ignorance. "No; foolhardy speculation. He's not in business at all." " I did not know that, Amaziah." \\'ith this active par- ticipation in the conversation, Mrs. Snicker relapsed into her normal vacuum. "Say, Pa," queried Fred Snicker, with a languishing drawl, "when you went into molasses, and that sort of thing, you know, was that speculation, or was it — what the deuce was it now?" " I've told you that, about fifty times, Fred," growled Mr. Snicker. " Yes, I know Pa, but then really now, never having been in business, and knowing nothing about sugar and such things, one is not to be expected to remember those disagreeable details." " Well, I was in business, and I bought a legitimate ar- ticle, not exactly on speculation, but simply made very heavy purchases — of a legitimate article, mind you — if sugar an' molasses isn't legitimate what is, Fd like to know." Mr. Snicker raised his voice a trifle as if he expected some one would attempt to controvert so daring an assertion. No one did so, and the legitimacy of sugar was established. He went on: " Sugar bein' a legitimate article, it was bound to go up when the war began and cut off the supply. Anybody coukl see that — I mean anybody, with a head long enough. It takes no common head to ingineer such a deal. Norwell has no head for speculation. His forte is — well, I think his forte is to keep clear of it." " Hadn't I better mark them off my list when I have my birthday party. Ma?" said Harrie. " As you think best, child. Pa, what do you say?" " What do I say? What do I know about such things? If you don't want 'em cross 'em off, that's all." 34^^ AX in ox cuowx, " Tom isn't a bad sort of pwcrson," drawled Fred. "Some- times he is a little abwupt, but I like to see a man of spirit. I told him last time that he was abwupt that really a fellow couldn't be expected to stand that sort of thing always. When he saw I was in earnest he apologized handsomely, and said he was very sorry to offend a friend. Really, I haven't any- thing against Tom Norwell." " Fred, I think you shouldn't get into so man}' rows with the fellows." "I think, Plarrie, I can take care of myself," he said, ex- hibiting a little of the sanguinary disposition which might be expected to crop out, were he sufficiently provoked. " I never could see why Alice Norwell goes to parties," continued Harrie. "She doesn't like dancing. She only tastes the supper, and she pretends to be dreadfully down on flirting. Ifs my opinion she's down on it because young men don't take to her, I think I'll cut them. Pa. You see they haven't the means now to give parties. I don't think they've the right to go to parties." " No right luider heaven! We should pay as we go. I think I should drop them. That's a good enough reason." Mr. Snicker regarded social obligations, as he did all others, from a monetary standpoint. He \vorshiped at a very fash- ionable church because there the Snicker family could hear the gospel, amid surroundings commensurate with the size of the Snicker bank account. He gave to charity because as an abstract principle charity must be right, since everybodj' ad- mitted it, and because other rich people had set the fashion of giving to charity. Hence, their giving implied an obligation of Snicker's to give, and he did give, to his credit, be it said, with no mean hand. But he never gave, concealing from the left hand what the right hand did. With him charity and publicity went together. Had Tom Norwell just returned from Sing Sing and been about to give a swell party in com- memoration of his release, it would doubtless have been the proper thing for the vSnickers to accept his invitation, that is judging from the family's idea of the purposes and proprieties of society. It would have been right because the Snickers had the means to repay such obligations in kind with a reason- able jjrospect of adding interest thereto. Mr. Snicker might perhaps have been a little startled by any such concrete ap- plication of his principles, but there is where his logic must land him eventually. So the inexorable pencil of high so- AN IRON CROWN. 349 ciety's stern auditing clerks was drawn pitilessly through the names of Tom and Alice Norwell on many a list. But they still had friends, and good ones, too, though some of them were neither rich nor famous. Mary Hackett called on Alice to tell her that the firm for which she worked wanted an intelligent lady to manage their correspondence. Mrs. Malley called, with a little remembrance from Pipe Malley & Co., in the shape of a basket of fruit in which were a half dozen superb oranges, a half dozen long golden bananas, sev- eral very large red-cheeked apples, and some luscious grapes. Under the pink netting was slipped a large card printed in very black letters, "Pipe Malley & Co., dealers in fine foreign and domestic fruits." Above this in rather laborious, but very plain letters, was written, " Compliments of" in Pipe's own hand. " The boys," said Mrs. Malley, " have sent you and vour brother a little fruit, if ye'll pardon the liberty. Miss Nor- well. Pipe and yer brother are acquainted like, I believe." "Thank you. Are you Mrs. Malley?" "That's me name. The twins is me boys. I was comin' this way and thought Pd bring it meself." " Come in, Mrs. Malley," said Alice kindly. " Will you take off your bonnet and sit down?" " I've hardly the time. Ma'am," said Mrs. Malley, who seated herself nevertheless. " Pipe thought you'd like a bit o' fruit, may be." " It was very kind of them. What fine fruit it is." " They keeps only the best. Pipe says he's goin' to work up a reputation for havin' only the best." " Mrs. Malley, please say that my brother and I thank your sons very much for this present." " It's not worth mentionin'. Miss, at all. Pipe said your brother had lost some money lately." " Yes, he did meet with losses." " And I'm one that knows how to sympathize with you, INIiss, for Mr. Malley went to the grave fur grief." Alice Norwell scarcely understood why the late Mr. Malley went to the grave for an article which may be found almost any- where this side of it. She waited for Mrs. Malley to finish. " Poor man, after slavin' for years, him an' me scraped to- gether a start in the world an' lost it all." " Indeed !" " Yes, he went into business, and he wasn't hardly fit for it, I think." 350 AN IRON CROWN. " What business did he go into?" " Wholesale licker. That man throwed five hundred dollars right into whiskey and lost every red cent of it." " What a pity. But business is uncertain." "It is in truth, Ma'am. Some say Mr. Malley couldn't keep things agoin'. They went from bad till worse, an' the sheriff shut up the store. It broke his heart, too," — here Mrs. Malley alluded to her late husband, not to the obdurate minion of the law — " an' I follered him to the grave." " We must expect trouble in this world." " Ye're wrong there. Miss. Theie's no use expectin' it. It'll come soon enough without. If Mr. IMalley had only kept out o' whiske}' it would have been all right." Mrs. Malley omitted to say that when her late husband went into the business of liquor merchant he became his own regular customer, and seemed gradually to become possessed with the idea that the best thing to do was to drink up all his stock himself. He carried out this ambitious project with un- flagging zeal, aided by a few of those zealous friends who are never known to desert a man in such an emergency. They had well-nigh accomplished this thirsty undertaking ^vhen the business suddenly went to the dogs, and Mr. Malley re- tired to the graveyard for grief, leaving a widow to struggle with life, encumbered by a pair of twins, and possessed of only good health and willing hands. After some further expressions of sympathy, Mrs. Malley took her dejDarture. Tom Norwell was now beginning to recover from the dark despair into which he had been plunged by his great re- verse of fortune. His health and elastic spirits inspired him with hope that somehow all would yet be well. He thought of going West," where there were better opportunities for young men. Chicago, he had heard, presented good open- ings in different directions. Alice approved of the plan. She wished to get away from her old associates, and start among strangers anew. One day Tom received a note from Hick- ley, asking him to call at the office on business of interest. Tom went that forenoon. Hickley asked him if a situ- ation on salary would be acceptable, and informed him that a very good place might, perhaps, be obtained in the passenger service of a certain great railroad. " I don't understand the business," said Norwell. " That isn't necessary. The clerks in the office can run it till you get your hand in," AN IRON CROWN. 6D' " Ilickley, that road is controlled by Ophir. I don't like to accept any favors from that man. I scarcely understand wh)^ this place is offered to me at all." " Mr. Ophir, of course, owns a very large interest n\ the road, and is a director, but then you have other acquaintances on the board. There's Bulger, he's an old friend of your father. Why shouldn't you be offered the place?" "I don't like the idea of taking a thing by way of charity, especially from Ophir." "Five thousand a year isn't bad." " The salary is all right, but the fact is, Hickley, I can't accept. I've made other arrangements." " Oh, that alters the case, Norwell. Why didn't vou say so at first?" " I don't mean anything definite. I am going West." " Tom Norwell, we have always been good friends, and in the habit of speaking plainly. Now, if you will allow me to say so, I think you are playing the fool." " You have a right to your own opinion, Hickley, and I have a right to reject this offer if I choose. I thank you for what you have done for me. I am sorry I cannot accept." A few days after this conversation between Norwell and Hickley, Tom and Alice sat in their little parlor discussing their plans for the future. As they intended to leave the city soon it was thought best not to give up their apartments as contemplated until they were ready to start for Chicago. The brother, and sister v/ere apparently on good terms, though Alice could not fail to observe that the old spontane- ous affection of her brother was not the same. He was just as kind as formerly, and even more thoughtful of her. All his plans now seemed to be made for her benefit, and through them all she could discern that duty was before the tender, brotherly affection that once was hers. She was secretly pained at this, but there was now no means of recall- ing those hasty words. Time, she thought, might remove their sting. Herself she repented them with bitter tears, but any allusion to the matter now could only make things worse instead of better by bringing the whole painful scene fresh before him. Tom had been reading to her portions of a letter from Wilson. The Amazon had proved a bonanza. Wilson and Mack were both millionaires, or would be in a few more months. A branch of the great "Cobweb" line of rail- 352 AN IKON CROWN. road would soon De completed to Ruby Buttes. Then mine owners would be able to work their mines at a vastly in- creased profit, the present cost of transportation by wagon being ruinously high. Alice had already received all this news direct from Wilson, but she was pleased to hear it again. Wilson had offered to loan Tom any^ amount of money he might need in his present exigencies. But Tom bravely concluded not to allow others to make easy the thorny path which he had chosen for himself. Concealing from Wilson the true state of his finances, he replied that he should work up from the bottom, and thus have the more satisfaction when he reached the top. During the evening Garmand dropped in. He had sud- denly determined to return to Europe, and had come to say good-bye. The good news from Wilson made Alice look unusually happy. From the first she had admired him. His superior intelligence and practical common sense combined with an unassuming manner, pleased her greatly. Now she had the best of reasons for thinking that he cared for her. To win the love of such a man, especially in his hour of suc- cess, seemed to her a woman's greatest triumph. Garmand had greatly admired this practical Yankee girl. She was always entertaining, sometimes a trifie precise, and never silly. She corrected his mistakes so kindly and with such adroit indirectness, that it seemed many times as if she were seeking information instead of imparting it. She never quizzed him as some of the young ladies did slyly at times. He perceived that she was well educated, well bred, and, in short, a lady in every sense of the term. He thought she could manage an English home admirably. And yet he had never made love to her. In the first place, his mind was not made up that he cared for her. It is a momentous matter for an Englishman of the upper class to marry. He must please himself, he must please his relations, and above all, he must please a caste as scrupulous in social matters as were the Pharisees of old in religious. Had he been a marquis he might have ignored these caste considerations, but a man well down toward the substratum of the structure could not afTord to make a mistake. Then, considering how hard it is for a man to please himself in the choice of a wife, the task seems well nigh hopeless when he is obliged to please jDretty much all the world besides. Moreover, this girl had lost her money, which was not to be overlooked very easily. Could he make AN IKON CROWN. 353 the sacrifice? He had leceived very little encouragement. After a considerable acquaintance, Miss Nor well seemed just the same as at the beginning, a little more communicative per- haps, because they had a wider range of common interest, but there was not the slightest approach toward a more friendly footing. He thought perhaps this was his own fault. Garmand revolved the situation in his mind while the trio sat chatting, just as he had revolved it several times before. Now he was going away and still there was noth- ing definitely understood. On the whole it was not best to be in a hurry; he could return to America at any time if he thought best. Norwell and Garmand started out for a little stroll where they could talk more freely. They dropped into the lobby of a liotel and sat smoking and talking over their financial reverses. This was a sore subject for both, though Garmand could afford his losses well enough. Finally Tom remarked : " Garmand, I shouldn't mind the money so much. Hang the money, let it go. I'll get more sometime. But I have lost a sister too." The Englishman was startled. This remark hit directly upon the subject in his own mind. Then Garmand at once suspected that his conduct had led Norwell to conclude that he expected to marry Alioe. What else could it mean, this losing a sister when there were no other beaux visible? In his first alarm he did not know what reply to make, but at once thought it best to say nothing definite. " You may be mistaken, Mr. Norwell." " Not at all. There is no chance for a mistake in a matter like this." " Still, is it not possible that things may be diflferent from what you think?" " I am not mistaken. We talked it over and there's an end of it." This matter had worried Tom a great deal secretly. Busy with his own self-accusing thoughts on the subject, it never occurred to him that Garmand might not understand at all what he alluded to. He assumed, because it filled his own thoughts, that it ought to be patent to everybody that these financial tioubles had caused a rupture between brother and sister. He never thought of the fact that Garmand knew nothing about the loss of Alice's legacy. On the other hand, Garmand had been so startled by this echo of his own 354 AN IRON CROWN. reflections that it never occurred to him that Norwell could refer to any thin t^ else than what was in his friend's mind. He was alarmed at Norwell's remark that it had been talked over. The Englishman was instantly on the defensive. His con- science accused him of having l:)een very friendly with Miss Norwell. He knew how scheming women entrapped wealthy men in his own country. Miss Snicker's rather transparent efforts rose before him at once, and he reflected that perhaps this country was no better in that direction. He failed utterly to understand this country. Had he after all been trapped, he asked himself, by one of these Yankees whose customs and peculiarities were a constant source of perplexity to his English understanding? " Don't you think — now really yon cawn't always tell — perhaps the other party meant nothing, you know." " Some things when said and done can never' be undone. This is such a case." As Norwell said this he sank listlessly behind a cloud of smoke. Garmand was now thoroughly frightened. This allusion must be to legal joroceedings for breach of promise, provided the gentleman in the case proved unwilling or tardy. He thought with terror of two or three little notes of invitation to the theater which he had written to Alice. He would give a hundred pounds apiece for them. If such a goodly sum could be made out of Pickwick's celebrated epistle, which concealed love under a cunning guise of "chops and tomato sauce," what might not be made out of his own terribly compro- , mising conduct. It was lucky he had taken passage in the steamer which sailed to-morrow, and still more lucky he had not divulged his intentions of leaving for Europe. He would acquiesce for the present in Norwell's views, and thus avoid arousing any suspicion of his intentions. He would temporize. " If I were advising, Norwell, I really think I should let things take their course; perhaps — well — you cawn't always tell how a thing is coming out." " Yes, that's the only thing to be done. But my sister is ver}'^ firm in her notions, and seldom says a thing hastily. That's just where the trouble comes in." Garmand was now completely mystified. Then perhaps the brother was not in the plot, or had not the heart to carry it out. It was this sharp Yankee woman who was bent on having an English husband, or a good round money equiva- AN IRON CROWN. 355 lent (which would have to be very large, considering what precious goods it balanced). Norwell had sat during his con- versation lazily puffing a cigar. and looking out at the people passing. He had not noticed the face of his companion or he might have observed that there was a queer expression in it. At length Garmand rose and remarlvcd that it was getting late, though it was still early. He shook Norwell's hand for a longer period than usual, bidding him good-night a second and third time as he lingered; finally asking to be remem- bered to Miss Norwell, he took leave of his friend. He felt like a guilty culprit in stealing away from these people who had been so kind to him, without saying adieus or inviting them to share his hospitality, should they ever visit his own country. On Norwell's return Alice asked: " Where is Mr. Garmand? " " He went off in considerable of a hurry, I thought." "I expected him back here to say good-night." Next morning they were greatly surprised to see in the paper that Wyndleigh Garmand was a passenger on the Cunard steamer for Europe. CHAPTER XXXV. ALL THINGS ARE EASY BECAUSE ALL THINGS ARE UN- TRIED. SOME EXAMPLES OF YANKEE THRIFT. Arriving in Chicago, the Norwells found a respectable boarding house on the West side near Union Park. The price was reasonable, their rooms comfortable, and they congratu- lated themselves on being so soon settled. They had letters to a few good people, and, for this reason, felt that they wcie not entirely among strangers. The next important thing was to find something to do. Their money was nearly exhausted, and both must go to work, and that soon. Alice was un- usually fortunate in this respect. One of the persons to whom she had a letter of introduction happened to know of an op- portunitv for a young lady to teach as assistant in a Young Ladies' Day Scnool. She iminediately called on the Lady Principal of the school, and introduced Alice to her. Al- though she had no experience in teaching, Alice's fine educa- tion and ladylike manners strongly impressed the Principal. 356 AN IKON CKOWN. "Would she begin on trial? " Tlie salary was eighteen dol- lars per week, but that amount would not be paid to a begin- ner. It was finally arranged that Alice should take the place on trial at twelve dollars per week, with a promise of an ad- vance if satisfaction was rendered. As Alice's board and lodging would cost only six dollars and a half per week including everything but washing, here was a small margin left to begin on. She considered herself in great luck, for she was to begin next Monday. Tom found things much harder. None of tiie business men to whom he had letters were able to do anything for him just then. They would make a memorandum of his case and let him know if anything turned up. He knew what that meant — in nine cases out of ten, nothing at all. Then he watched the papers and began the discouraging work of answering advertisements for " help wanted." He found it the most disheartening occupation he had ever en- gaged in. Day after day he tramped the streets to all sorts of places, looking for any kind of decent, paying work. He met with nothing but disappointment. He found that most of the persons advertising wanted youths or young men to do from ten to twelve liours' work per day at from five to eight dollars per week. One or two firms wanted bookkeepers or sales- men at good salaries, but tiiey had from one hundred to three hundred applicants, and wanted only experienced men, Nor- well read no end of " Business Chances" in the columns of the daily papers. His experience of city life enabled him to guess what most of those were without investigation. One seductively-worded advertisement which appeared again and again, in substantially the same form, with two or three different addresses, read something as follows: WANTED.— A partner in an established, genteel, profitable ofiice business paying $200 per month clear profits. Can easily be made to pay double tiie amount. Satisfactory reasons for selling. Two hun- dred dollars cash takes a half interest. Call at Room 40, 162 Hennepin sti'eet. As it is rather unusual for an established paying business to sell out at the price of two months' profits, Tom thought he wouki investigate the business. Calling at Room 40, 162 Hennepin street, he found a large, bare-looking ofiice with three desks in it, two inside a low railing, which divided the otiice into two parts, and one outside. A sign painted on the AN IRON CROWN. 357 glass door bore the legend, " Uriah Frisky & Co., Novelty Dealers." A young lady sat at one of the desks inside the railing inserting circulars into envelopes. At the other desk sat a young man about thirty years of age, with shiny, short hair, and a hang-dog expression, apparently very busy, too busy in fact to look up, but engaged at nothing in particular so far as a casual observer could judge. Norwell was met at the railing by the young lady, wlio, taking the little slip he had cut from the morning paper, said: "Oh, that refers to the 'Employment Bureau.' Mr. Duemup, the manager, is not in just now," and she glanced at the desk outside the railing, thereby indicating the place where Mr. Duemup presided when the pressure of his genteel profitable. business required his presence in the office. " When do you think he will be in? " "About eleven o'clock; call at that hour." At eleven o'clock sharp Tom Norwell was on hand, and so was Mr. Duemup. In fact, that gentleman had been close at hand when the previous call was made, being in a little back room with the door ajar, so he could hear all that transpired in the outer office. By means of this very simple device Mr. Duemup could find it very convenient to be "out" when callers came whom he did not care to see. Like nearly all men who aspire to do the public a great service, Mr. Duemup found that there was a considerable portion of the said public who were inclined to look on his efforts in their behalf with ingratitude, not to say suspicion. Some even nourished these suspicions till they became convictions, and threatened the " Bureau," in the person of Mr. Duemup, with chastisement, legal or personal, according to the turn of the aggrieved indi- vidual's mind. Mr. Duemup, as a man of peace, had no notion of suffering either if he could avoid it. In consequence it was frequently judicious on the part of the " Bureau" to be "not in." Norwell advanced to the desk, and jDresented the little slip, saying : "I called with reference to this business chance." "Oh, exactly! Take a seat," replied Mr. Duemup. That gentleman (since modern usage has applied the much-abused term gentleman to all male human beings, except possibly scavengers, while all women without exception are ladies, the reader will excuse its use here) was of m.edium height, about twent3•-fi^•e years of age, and dressed in a rather loud, striped business suit. He wore a checkered high collar, and a glass 358 AM IKON CROWN. pin in his tie. On his hand were several conspicuous rings, some plain, others set with stones. He had a hang-dog ex- pression like the other man in the office, except that Mr. Frisky, novelty dealer, was a good natured, sneaking dog, wlio was content to sell useless gimcracks as the most won- derful inventions of the age, while Mr. Duemup was the vicious kind of brute that would throttle you in the dark on the slightest provocation. His red face was closely shaven, and his coarse lips were rolling the stub of an extinct cigar. His aquiline nose with a meaty " nub" on the end of it, ex- cited the suspicion that he was a guileless Israelite. This, however, was a difficult point to decide. " What is the nature of your business?" asked Norwell, "Well you see, I'm running an Employment IJuieau. I've a mighty good thing." " Please explain a little more fully." " Well you see," replied Mr. Duemup, whose eyes seemed to be constantly scanning a map of Cook county which hung on the opposite wall, "in a city like Chicago there are always thousands of jDcople out of employment, or who are dissatisfied with the work tliey have." "I see." " Well, we advertise in the papers that we can furnish these people employment. We charge each applicant two dollars for registering his name. Ten applicants per day is one hundred and twenty dollars per week, or four hundred and eighty dollars per month. Advertising, which is the main expense, need not exceed seventy-five. That leaves four hundred dollars per month profits, so you see it is a pretty good thing." " You have not reckoned office expenses, Mr. Duemup." "Very light. Why," said Duemup confidentially," I pay only {ivc dollars per month for desk room." " Ciieap enough, I should say. But how about furnishing the ajjplicants with situations?" Mr. Duemup did not seem very willing to elucidate this point, but replied: " Well, we send them to places. If they fail to make a contract we can not be responsible for that." Mr. Duemup, indeed, had plenty of places to send people. But, unfortu- nately, these eager applicants, who had paid perhaps their last two dollars for the reference, found on reaching the place, that no help was wanted, and, moreover, that the people had AN IRON CROWN. 359 never heard of Diiemup's " Bureau." Now and then, by way of variety, he sent people to numbers which were va- cant lots. But this was not done through any humorous intent. Mr. Duemup was no humorist. It was an unfor- tunate contingency arising from the nature of his comphcatcd business. It was all the fault of the city Directory which failed to tell what numbers were not built upon. " I should think it would be difficult to find places for all the applicants." " Well, you see we advertise very extensively, and people know where to send for good help." Then, leaning over toward Tom, he added confidentially, " That's easily man- aged." This was a feeler, to see whether the negotiator for an interest in this light, genteel business was troubled with a conscience. Norwell quickly took the cue, and replied: "Oh, I see, I see. If you happen not to have places, you find 'em, eh?" "Exactly," replied the " Manager" with a laugh, pleased to discover that his man was all right on this important point. " Then I should say you have a pretty soft thing." " Now you're talking." " Police ever interfere?" Here Mr. Duemup leaned back slightly, threw his head back very softly, almost closed his eyes, and with a bland, insinuating wave of his right hand, said— nothing at all. " Why don't you keep it all yourself? " " Well, you see the business is doubling right up on my hands till I can't manage it myself. I need a good office man. There's the advertising and other outside work to look after." " Two hundred dollars will take a half interest? " "Yes, if taken immediately. I have another man coming to see me at one. He is anxious to come in, but, frankly, I would rather have you. I like your looks." As Mr. Duemup's eyes had never looked squarely in Norwell's face, it was difficult to see where he had obtained the data necessary to such a favorable opinion. " Isn't there a good deal of competition in such an easy business? " " None at all in our particular line." Strictly speaking, the "Manager" told the truth here, as he was a .partner in two or three similar " snide" employment agencies in the city. The taking in of a partner, where they could manage to rope in a greenhorn, was as much a part of the business as was the taking in of the public. 360 AN' lUOX CROWN. " Wliat might I call your name?" « Norwell." " Now, Mr. Norwell, I consider this a rare opportunity, but you must decide at once, or the other man comes in. What do you say?" " I'll consider the matter," replied Tom, risino-. " But you haven't any time to consider it. Such oppor- tunitios are rare." " I shall not come in till I've thought the thing over well." "All right," replied the manager, who saw that Norwell was not to be caught in his little trap all at once. " Call again when you've made up your mind. Our business talk is confidential, of course." The next "business chance" which Norwell investigated proved to be of a dramatic nature. A gentleman was wanted to go on the road as treasurer of a "snap" dramatic company. He was also expected to contribute five hiuidred dollars toward the enterprise to lay the foundation of the treasury as it were. The company were j^reparing to torture the public with the fascinating new play entitled " Boarding House Frolics, or Only a Masher's Collar." This fearfully and wonderfully constructed example of dramatic high art, as it now flourishes, was expected to draw like a free lunch. The profits of the season would surely reach twenty-five thousand dollars, of which the treasurer could have half by investing the paltry sum of five hundred dollars. Norwell respectfully declined. One morning Norwell's eye fell on an advertisement worded something like this: WANTED. — An advertising solicitor by an agri- cultural paper having an immense circulation. A rare chance to the right party. Address F 39, "Daily Forum." '' As this really looked like legitimate business, Norwell addressed F 39, and in reply received a note, asking him to call at the office of "The Farm Home and Hopper," a flam- boyant sheet whose spread-eagle sign extended across the whole front of a handsome business block. On entering the office, Norwell's eyes first fell upon a young lady seated at a desk, busily opening the morning's mail. In the rear was revealed a vista of several rooms, through the open doors of which might be seen some twenty young ladies engaged in addressing envelopes and wrappers. AN IRON CROWN. 361 The " Hopper " was evidently a big concern. Extending his note by way of introduction, he was referred at once to Air. Powsley, the proprietor, who was then in the private office. Mr. Powsley was a good-looking, well-dressed young man of about twenty-eight, with a brusque but taking busi- ness air. He had none of the sneaking look that character- ized Air. Frisky, and none of the lurking viciousness that strove to conceal itself in Duemup's disagreeable mug. Air. Powsley's demeanor and conversation announced at once that he was an honest man, — an uncommonly honest one, if his own intimations from time to time were to be taken at par. If that indefinable " something " in his face, which it is the peculiar province of the novelist to discover, contradicted Air. Powsley's bearing and speech, it was so much the worse for the " indefinable somethino-." J^somethino; in the counte- nance has no more right to traduce its owner covertly than that same owner has to traduce somebody else by means of a sneaking anon} mous letter. Air. Powsley went on to explain that his paper had a bona Jide circulation of one hundred thousand copies weekly. This large circulation made it a very desirable medium for advertisers, and soliciting for his paper was sure to pay. " I have never before heard of ' The Farm Home and Hopper,' " remarked Norwell. " Has it been established long?" " I started the paper ten months ago." " It has been very successful, I should say. By what means were you enabled to build up so large a circulation so soon ?" ♦' I originated a very popular system of giving prizes to each subscriber. I began by giving each subscriber a little more than the worth of his money, and trusted to luck to get it back in the future. Here is a list of the prizes," and he handed Norwell a long printed slip containing the names ot almost every article of popular use, from a span of horses or a piano to a wooden napkin ring. Norwell began to understand the methods of the " Hop- per." It was the old, swindling, gift-distribution scheme, a fraud hoary with antiquity, and which certainly is not bet- tered by being tacked to a cheap newspaper fraud. Air. Powsley was very careful to explain that his scheme was no lottery. There was no drawing. Gifts were assigned arbi- 362 AN IRON CROWN. trarily, and every subscriber mi<^ht get one. (It was a fact, however, that most of them did not.) In his advertisements he described it as an honesty square plan. Another feature of Mr. Powsley's scheme deserves spe- cial mention. He inserted in thousands of papers throughout the country an advertisement larger than one of the pages of this book, offering to send, for $5.39, a handsome watch, made of aluminum gold, — whatever that may be — worth t-iVenty-Jive dollars. The only conditions attendant on par- ticipating in this unparalleled generosity of " The Farm Home and Hopper," were to send $5.39 in advance, and sign an agreement to pa}' one dollar more for a year's subscription to the " Hopper." The " aluminum gold " watch cost Mr. Powsley probably about one dollar and a half to two dollars wholesale. For time-keeping purposes it equaled a sun dial at night. The paper cost him about twenty cents per year on a liberal estimate. Mr. Powsley inserted his advertisements exclusively in papers read by farmers. He had a high appreciation of rural intelligence. His scheme was a great success. Letters poured in by the thousand daily. At one time the postoffice. it is said, actually found it necessary to emplov a wagon to deliver the immense mail of the " Farm Home and Hopper." This scoundrel was growing rich off those people whose opportu- nities of understanding the deceitful ways of dishonest schem- ers are few. Nor was he alone in this business. A host of imitators of the " Hopper " entered this rich field to prey on fools. Some of these papers were owned by Powsley himself. One paper actually advertised to loan monev to its sub- sciibers at four per cent, per annum, the loan to continue as long as the interest was paid, and the borrower remained a subscriber to the paper. This genius (who takes the laurels from Col. Sellers) figured out for his paper a circulation of two hundred and fifty thousand (to be obtained), and on this basis deduced a net profit of three hundred and forty-five thou- sand dollars per annum! This princely siun was all to be loaned to subscribei"s. I do not mention these swindles because they are a novelty. Doubtless, thousands of people understand them fully. But I wish to emphasize the astounding fact that very few seem to care anything about them. They go on and flourish, just as people go about legitimate business. If they are mentioned at AlSf IRONf CROWN. 363 all it is la a careless way as if the public thought such rascal- ity was on the whole rather a smart proceeding. They are virtually abetted by the postoffice department of the United States, for without the mails such swindles as these, and that of Lemming & Miriam would be impossible. What is govern- ment instituted for, if not to protect the poor, the weak, the ignorant, as well as those who know how to take care of themselves? With regard to these swindles, which are a disgrace to our nation, the people are partially to blame. They should see that the laws are enforced against scoundrels of every degree and shade. The best men of the community go their way intent on getting rich themselves, and the entire community apathetically adopts their policy of non-inteiference. The best laws fall dead and futile if they are not actively supported by the people. Laxv never makes honor. The simple facts are, that the wonderful activity of the present day has made almost anything appear reasonable to the unthinking masses, no matter how absurd or impossible it may really be. Hence, knaves are constantly in waiting to take advantage of the credulity of the public. It is needless to add that Norwell did not work for the " Iloj^per." He went home that night tired and thoroughly dis- couraged. Alice tried to cheer him up by telling him the}^ could get along for awhile without great inconvenience, since she was sure of her twelve dollars per week. " It is no use answering any more advertisements in the pa- pers," he said. " It seems to me as if those people are nearly all frauds." " Oh, certainly not all, Tom. There must be some respec- table peojjle who advertise for help." "In that case," he replied moodily, "there are a hundred applicants for each place." "You will find a place yet, Tom. There are always places for those who really want to work." Norwell now regretted that he had so hastily rejected the ofTer of a good situation with that railroad. Though he told Hickley that he dicj not care to be indebted to Ophir, which was true, he felt at the time that Chetta Ingledee was most probably the cause of his receiving this opportune proffer of a place just as she had helped him out of prison. He was not ungrateful. It was only a matter of pride. He did not like to be indebted to this woman so deeply. He knew that she 364 AN IRON CRO\VN. loved him, and that she was very persistent about it. This did not anger him. It might, had she been old and ugly. But what m;ni was ever angry because a handsome, accom- plished young heiress preferred him? But he disliked that all the favors should come from her. He felt, like most men, tl'iat he should confer obligations on the woman. It was, however, only a matter of common politeness to write her thanking her for her interest in his behalf. Then he could not but think how much more suitable a wife this woman would have made than the simple-minded May Bryce. It was almost with regret that he thought of May, though he did not all'jw his easy-going nature to be greatly disturbed by his reflections. That night he sat down and wrote Chetta a letter which grew to considerable length before he had finished. He alluded to her interest in his behalf, remarked that he had only one friend capable of doing so much, hoped tiiat some- time he could repay the debt, and finished by intimating that he should not forget old fiiends in New York. The next evening Norwell went down town to the theatre. There was a noted actor whom he wished to hear, and as Alice refused to go because they could not afford it, Tom went alone and sat in the gallery, where the admission was only twenty-five cents. Coming home, he decided to walk for the exercise, and unwisely went through Washington street tunnel under the river. On the West side, this brought him into a very disreputable locality infested by foot-pads, drunken men and prostitutes. Not caring to remain in such a dangerous vicinity very long at that hour of the night, he hur- ried along over the soggy wooden sidewalk soaked by spring rains and past dilapidated old pine houses. Two or three blocks west of the river, as he was passing a cross street, a man sud- denly sprang from a dark doorway and attempted to knock Norwell down. The latter turning his head quickly received only a glancing blow, which failed in its intended effect. In- stantly Norwell's powerful clutch was on the throat of his as- sailant. Then a second man jumped from the same doorway and struck Norwell over the head with some kind of weapon which left an ugly welt, knocking him senseless. The thieves seized his pocketbook and ran away. In two or three minutes Norwell, who was not seriously injured, recovered his senses and rose to his feet just as two strangers came along. They inquired what the matter was as soon as they sav^ that Norwell was not drunk. On hearing AN IKON CUOWN. 365 his story, the men inquired of Norvvell if he was not a stran- ger, as they knew that no person knowinij^ the locahty would venture there alone at niglit. They were employed by a Board of Trade Commission firm, and had been detained late on some extra office work. The three walked along together until Tom discovered that they lived near his own boarding house. He related his experiences in looking for a position. One of the men named Wylie, gave Tom his card, and j^roniised to aid him if he could in any way. He added an invitation to call at the office next day. Norwell went and found a surprise in store for him. Wylie had mentioned his case to the firm, who happened to want an- other man in the office. The head of the firm, who was an unusually well-informed business man, was pleased with Nor- well at once. He listened to the latter' s account of his want of success in obtaining employment, and he was touched deeply when Norvvell related briefly the misfortunes of his family. In consequence Norvvell was employed at once on a salary of twenty dollars per week. Once this sum would not have paid his bills for gloves and flowers. Now he was very glad to have it. Once more he was indej^endent and ready to begin the laborious operation of climbing the ladder from the very bottom. CHAPTER XXXVI. MIND-FARMING AND HUSBAND-PAINTING. Miss Bryce had returned to her Illinois home. For some days she entertained her father and mother continually by relating her experiences while visiting in New York. Life in the metropolis and life in her own country home repre- sented almost the utmost extremes of the American social fabric. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce were well informed for people in their station, concerning the usages of urban life, and were greatly interested in May's recitals of the doings and sayings of polite society. They liked to listen, because their daugh- ter's habit of intelligent observation had stored her mind with many ideas and reflections well worth knowing. They prided themselves that their child " was no fool," as plain 366 AN IKON CROWN. country people often put a case of more than ordinary inlelli- ji^encc. Then they had besides the old interest, — as old as the day when the first child was born into the woi'ld, — that of being interested in whatever interested the child. On reaching home, May had written promptly to her lover, and soon* received a reply. May had never kept any important secrets from her parents. She would have felt a miserable guiltiness had she attempted a clandestine love affair. The secret would surely have betrayed itself, for she was incapable of dissimulation. Like a dutiful daughter she showed Tom's letter to her mother, and asked if there was any reason why she should not continue such a correspond- ence. She did not expect a refusal, for her parents never refused her anything. But she dreaded lest ]>er mother might ask how far matters had already gone. Then she must either be guilty of deception or break her promise to her lover, a promise of which she did not realize the full force when she made it. She could do neither. She could only lay herself liable to misconstruction by declining to answer until she obtained Tom's consent to speak. But Mrs. Bryce asked no such question. She had an implicit confidence in her daughter's discretion and sense of filial duty. It was safe to leave eveiything to her for the present. The mother did privately express some doubts as to the propriety of encour- aging an intimacy between Norwell and their daughter. Mrs. Bryce had heard it said that city men often "thought nothing of having two or three girls at once." Mr. Bryce had no such misgivings. He liked Norwell, and was sure that he was a gentleman. He had never seen a young man he would rather have for a son-in-law, provided he really meant anything more than a friendly correspondence. Mrs. Bryce's doubts were silenced, and the matter was discussed no more. After a time May experienced that sense of loneliness and restless discontent which usually comes to a young person who, having been for a season transferred from a life of quiet monotony to a scene of greater activity, returns again to the old ways. She did not like city life. The midnight glare of gaslight, the babble of light conversation, and the rustle of silken trains, did not compoil with her ideas of refined enjoy- ment. Yet she was not satisfied with the old farm life. She thought there must be an ideal existence somewhere between these two extremes. Her thoughts frequently wandered back AN IKON CROWN. 367 to some of the incidents of her visit in New York. She thought of Chetta Ingledce often, in spite of her attempts to dismiss that young huly from her mind. She recurred to that scene at Brownell's, when Tom led Chetta out for the Vir- ginia reel. Again and again she pictured the expression on Chetta's face, and it always seemed to her one of triumph. The thought was unpleasant, and yet it persisted in coming back frequently. Then she thought of Chetta as a possible rival, and her heart sank. She, with her country breeding, could not hope to win in a contest with that accomplished young lady, who was thoroughly schooled in all those refined arts of attracting men, wliich are so effectively employed by those women who happen to be beautiful and artful at the same time. What if Chetta Ingledee deliberately set herself to take away May's gallant lover? The fear of such a result made her heart sick. But she fortified her spirits with the consolation that Tom Norwell, whatever other men might be, could never prove untrue. No, her demi-god, the soul of manly honor, could never be guilty of deception. Enjoined by her lover to keep their tender secret from the world, and with no congenial friends of her own age and sex. May's position was not a happy one. She could not even lay her doubts and fears before her mother, — that friend whose love never changed, concerning whose affection and sympathy doubt was impossible. She could not even make a confidant of Alice. She \\*ndered why her lover was so sensitive on this one point. He would not insist if he only knew the misery it caused her. But then he must be right in this mat- ter, he must know better than she. She would bravely struggle against these doubts until time removed them. She scarcely appeared to have the old-time elasticity of manner. Mrs. Bryce thought that perhaps late hours and the excite- ment to which May was unaccustomed had slightly affected her health during her visit. The color on her cheek looked too brilliant for perfect health. It seemed rather a hectic glow. Her eyes, which were rather large and always bright, had assumed a pearly appearance of the cornea. She occasionally felt at times too, a slight shortness of breath which, however, caused her no alarm. Mrs. Bryce, thinking that sleep was all her daughter needed, was careful to see that everybody in the house was in bed by nine o'clock. May was delighted to hear that the Norwells were about to move to Chicago. As soon as thev were located there 36S A\ IKOX CKOWN. (she drove her pony and bu<^gy to the station every day for letters at this particuhir time) she at once wrote Alice a long letter. On the whole it was a cheerful epistle, and a very friendly one. The Bryces all joined in an invitation to the Norwells to visit them in their country home. The distance and the running of trains were such that people from the cit}' could run out at any time on Saturday afternoon and return Monday. Things were going smoothly with the Norwells. They had a pleasant boarding place, and had made some agreeable acquaintances. Among other intimate friends were Mr. and Mrs. Wylie. The Wylies had a pleasant little home of their own, and as the men worked in the same office, they were all on a very friendly footing. Alice liked her work, and was pleased to see that steady occupation had a beneficial effect on her brother, who was naturally inclined, as she realized more and more, to indulge visionary sehemes. They were paying their way as they went, and had mutually agreed to lay by a small fixed sum from their not very liberal salaries for a wet day. With scrupulous fidelity Alice placed her share of the fund in a little box kept for the purpose. Each put the money in a separate envelope. After the lapse of a few weeks Alice was greatly surprised to find Tom's envel- oj^e empty. Her first thought was that a sneak thief had stolen the money. Then she knew that was impossible, for he would have taken hers at the same tini(|^ She at once had her suspicions aroused as to what became of it. That evening she remarked to her brother: " Tom, the money is missing from your envelope. Did you remove it?" " Yes, I took it out," he answered rather uneasily. " Did you want some money?" « No, but I thought we had agreed to save together." " So we did, and so we shall; but the fact is, Alice, I saw a chance to make a good investment." "Oh, Tom!" she exclaimed with anguish in tone and look, "have you been speculating again?" He was touched at the feeling she exhibited. He had been the means of bringing this sister to poverty, and, though it was hard for his sensitive nature to forget her hasty words when she had by implica- tion called him a thief, he was not capable of cruelty, and he owed her very much indeed. " Why, Alice, don't take il to heart like that," he said AN IRON CROWN. 369 kindly. " It was only twenty-five dollars I had saved. I took it out and bought wheat. I cleared one hundred dollars, and I'll put fifty into the envelope if you say so." " Dear brother, it is not the money I care for, it is the principle. Don't be angry with me now, Tom, but I must say what I feel. Please promise me not to speculate any more." The mania for gambling had taken possession of him. He could not give it up. He said, after a pause: " Alice, I hardly think you ought to ask that of me. Others have made money that way. I may see a golden opportunity." " Think of what it ha.s already done for us. Think of father," and her voice trembled at this reference to that sad- dest of all events in their lives. " Think of yourself a few months ago. Please promise, for my sake." " Sister, I will promise you not to make any more deals at present." " Say never, Tom." "No, Alice," he replied firmly, " I can not bind myself for- ever by rash promises which I may regret sometime. I promise for the present." That was all she could get him to say, and with a foreboding that sometime his weakness would lead him to utter ruin, she was obliged to be satisfied. The visit to the Bryces was made in due time. It was in early spring when the tiny green spears of grass were just beginning to pierce the loose, black prairie soil. Buds were swelling on the willow trees, and the venturesome maple was pushing out its red buds at imminent peril of frost, suspend- ing the work in alarm with each chilly north wind. An Illinois spring is a very disappointing aflfair, with a great deal of promise, and very small performance. Like a shy lover it dallies with expectant nature, till bolder summer, warm with desire, is led a willing bride to bowers sweet with the perfume of flowers and growing corn. Alice thought the wide, rolling prairies very beautiful. Their novelty was pleasing to her eyes, which had alwa3's been accustomed to long rows of stone and brick, or the pent up hills of the Hudson. She was charmed with the clean countr}^, the pure invigorating air, and the bright April sunshine which fell in a universal flood, instead of struggling in a meager stream between lofty buildings. It so happened that a neighbor of Mr. Bryce's who 24 370 AN IRON CROWN, owned a great deal of land, had a quarter section to rent. The former tenant had lost his wife suddenly, and concluded to give up the place. Any one hcginning at once would be in time to get all the spring crops, chiefly corn, potatoes and oats, into the ground in season. Mr. Bryce, who had learned from Norwell nearly all about his affairs, advised him to take this farm and work it one season. The idea was a new one to Norwell. He was afraid he knew too little about farming. But Mr. Bryce offered to tell him just when to do everything, and inform him as to the best methods. He had taken a lik- ing to Norwell and was anxious to have him succeed. He thought a farm judiciously handled belter than twenty dollars a week in the city with heavy living expenses. Alice was ready to favor the idea because it might wean Tom from his dangerous inclination to risk money in speculation, whereas his present business threw him directly into the midst of it. Norwell concluded to remain over another day to look at the farm, and telegraphed the firm that he should be detained longer than he expected. May was delighted to have Alice Norwell with her another day. In truth, she had always been secretly in awe of that young lady's superior knowledge of the world, and matter of fact way of looking at everything. She hoped to establish thoroughly cordial relations with her future sister- in-law, and now began to believe that the work was effectu- ally accomplished. Alice treated her with a frank friendliness that left no doubt of the feelings which prompted such ac- tions. The only question in Ma} 's mind was what would she say if she knew of the secret engagement! May had felt that this secrecy had been all wrong from the beginning, and as things stood now it grew tlaily more impolitic if not to say, improper. But she left evervthing to Tom as he had re- quested, hoping all would be well in the end. That Sunday afternoon the girls sat in May's cosy room up stairs, engaged in confidential chat. The men were at the barn, looking at the horses and cattle. Mrs. Bryce was in the kitchen with apron on and sleeves rolled up, busy cleaning up the dinner dishes. The young ladies were discussing the sub- ject of husbands as young ladies will. Various theories were advanced concerning the nature of the animal in question. His desirable points were dwelt upon, and the possibility ( ! ) that he might possess undesirable traits alluded to as a factor to be considered. Then there was considerable husband- AN IRON CROWN. 371 painting done. The journalist constructs at times something which he calls a pen-picture of some noted personage. These maidenly fancies might be called mind-pictures of future partnership possibilities. Alas, the garrets of maiden im- maginalion are full of portraits of manly hero-husbands whose personality has never yet been projected into this prosy, selfish world. The real husband, when once securely in the matrimonial noose where he can not easily evade close in- spection, often proves but a sorry hack, compared with the knightly ideal which he resembles about as much as a mule resembles the spirited Arabian courser. I am aware that this comparison is open to criticism, but it is respectfully sub- mitted to the highest authority on the subject — wives. Wife- painting is a pastime that produces like unsatisfactory results. Miles and miles of youthful art galleries are filled with glow- ing ideals, half fairy, half angel, which bear small resem- blance to life's great gallery of womanhood, some in calico, some in satin, some " homely as a brush fence," others beauti- ful — all only women. Not an angel among them, youno- man. May Bryce drew an outline, which in physical proportions and personal peculiarities, strikingly resembled Tom Norwell. Whether this was intentional, or whether it was an unconscious expression of her own frequent meditations, was not apparent. At any rate, if Alice Norwell recognized the portrait of her brother, she said nothing to indicate the fact. For her part, she replied, that while it was well for every one to have an ideal of excellence for the opposite sex, it was foolish to ap- propriate that ideal to one's self. No individual could attain in all things to the excellence of the type, just as the sculptor required many different models before he can construct the ideal human figure. Before the Norwells returned it was decided that Tom should take the farm and the farm implements all ready to go to work. He bought also a team of horses, which the owner was willing to sell at a great sacrifice, as he was anxious to go to Kansas. Norwell still had a few hundreds due him in New York from good parties, which made it safe for him to assume these obligations. Mr. Bryce went his security and the whole thing was arranged. Two weeks intervened before they were to move to the farm. During this period the Norwells entertained their friends with a relation of their expectations. Tom had 37- AN IKON CROWN. figured out so many bushels of corn to be raised at so much per bushel, so many bushels of oats, so many bushels of po- tatoes, so many tons of hay, and so on through the list. He figured out about one thousand dollars profit from one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in one season. Wylie was not so sanguine. He had been brought up on a farm and knew about what could be done and what could not. He would have advised Tom not to try it at all had he been consulted before the lease was signed. Alice was very sanguine also. She had given up her position in the school willingly, although the Principal had oflfered to raise her salary at once to twenty dollars per week after only one month's experience. She Ijoped to be able to make something on the farm, and aid her brother too; she did not expect to make so much as twenty dollars per week of course, but she would undertake this for his sake. She was willing to make almost any sacrifice for him. Then she thought country life would be an agreeable change. She felt sure she would like it. She had read in the agricultural columns of papers what wonderful things Dame Nature would do on a farm if only tickled properly, things by the way, seldom done, except in the editor's sanctum. Each cow would produce so much butter; each hen lay an egg daily (in- cluding Sunday, for hens know nothing of the second com- mandment); there would be so many spring chickens to sell. Now Alice was by no means ignorant of the old saw which links arithmetical operations with incipient poultry. She knew that chickens always had been raised, and always would be. A hen could brood so many, and allowing for losses, it was easy to tell about how many would be left. « Mrs. Wylie," Alice remarked one day, « vi^e arS going to have strawberries, too, and I shall send you some." « Oh, that will be so nice." Mrs. Wylie, like Alice, had a rather vague notion of the various stages in the career of the strawberry before it is placed on the table a tempting mass of lusciousness ready to be sacrificed in the interests ot the cream and sugar trades. Both of them overlooked the fact that the strawberry plant in the natural course of events precedes the strawberry itself. " Then we shall have abundance of peas and all sorts of garden stuflT. Oh, you must come and see us." " Thank you, Miss Norwell, we will. It would be so nice, if we can only get away. I should like country fare. AN IRON CROWN. 373 I'm tir^l to death of having things that have been carted around till they are stale." "And then we shall have melons, too. But I'm afraid we can't have ice. Bryces hang their melons in the well to cool." " And then it will be very nice to go right to the trees and pick your cherries and apples fresh. One need use only the best. I shall coax Mr. Wylie to go, if I can," CHAPTER XXXVII. LIFE ON THE PRAIRIES. RAISING GARDEN " SASS. A SPELL OF WEATHER, AND A BOTTOMLESS CORNFIELD. Moving day came, and the Norwells were duly installed in their new home. The house, which was about a mile from Bryce's, was a squatty, barn-like structure, witli a low kitchen at one side, the whole resembling an enormous dry goods box with a smaller one set against it. The house had once been painted a sort of brown, but the paint was nearly all washed off, except in streaks, where some quality of the lumber had retained it. Just now a dingy, old-wood color predominated. The barn did not look greatly unlike the house. The board fence around the yard had gone to rack badly, and the former tenant had milked the cows in the door-yard, because it was " handy." A rickety old chain- pump stood about two rods from the kitchen door. This ma- chine ♦required such a prodigious amount of turning before any water appeared that one was inclined to believe the whole thing a base fraud, like those bands on a boy's garments which represent fictitious pockets, to the owner's constant annoyance and humiliation. As the party most interested, the boy realizes that the nature of his possessions require ample pocket room, in fact, that his garments should be pret- ty much all pockets. A humanitarian object in the shape of a martin box, stuck lop-sided on a tall pole, leaned dangerously toward the kitchen. On the other side stood another tall pole, on which hung a clumsy bell to call the men to dinner. This pole was so shaky, and wobbled so much when the bell was rung, that 374 AN IRON CROWN. its use always put Alice into a tremor of apprehension. Jim Cain, the hired man, however, pronounced it safe. The landscape between the road and the house was ornamented by a half-dead pine tree, one wholly dead, and a few shaggy withered rose bushes. Two small, flowering shrubs were striving to get a start in the world by shielding their spind- ling forms within old flour barrels. The former tenant remarked rather ambiguously of these that his wife had set 'em over 'em to save 'em. The inside of the house was not much more inviting tlian the outside. It was awkwardly arranged, so that the women had to walk half-way round the kitchen to get to the wood- shed. The kitchen floor was " dished" into heights and hol- lows, owing to the leaking of the roof, which warped the boards. Upstairs Alice was obliged to change the hired man's bed around from place to place when it rained hard, in order to preserve it from irrigation. When the rain came up in the night the hired man was expected to shift for him- self. The bad condition of the premises might be partially explained by the fact that the house had never been occupied by the owner, in other words, it was a " tenant house." Nevertheless, it was neither better nor worse than many houses occupied by owners themselves. Alice thought the first thing to be done was to repair the yard fence, so as to keep the cattle away from the house. Tom agreed, and this was done at once. There was a very poor fence around the garden. That was repaired next, and a gate hung, so that it was possible to enter the inclosure. The former tenant had allowed the garden gate to fall from its hinges. It was then placed crosswise in the opening and propped in place by a rail set obliquely against it. This latch ten feet long was very effective, but not very convenient, as the women folks were obliged to lift it away every time they entered the garden, or climb over at great risk to skirt and limb. The previous tenant " reckoned things ort to be slicked up a little, an' he had 'lowed to do it, but he 'lowed the need- cessities of the crops was of more importance than the gyar- den. It took him moseyin' lively to git the corn crop tended to." He and his wife were from a border Southern State, and possessed that peculiar dilatoriness, which is by no means laziness, and is brim full of good-natured intentions. It al- ways "'lows to git round to a thing," but never gets there. AN IRON CROWN. 375 " Tom, I haven't seen any strawberry bed. Bryce's will bloom in a few days." " Alice, I think our strawberry bed has gone on a vaca- tion." These remarks took place while they were discussing the possibilities of the situation a day or two after their arrival. " I think it must have done so, but we must have another at once, if we expect berries this season." " Great Jupiter, do you think you can set out the plants and have strawberries, too, in a month.''" " The books say they will bear the first year." " Books be hanged! I tell you it can't be done." So the Norwells decided that they would quietly lop off one luxury, a dainty one, from the list. As mind-gardening gave place to ground-gardening, other dainty articles of diet disappeared one by one under the stern logic of hard facts. Tom and the hired hand were busy plowing for corn, while Alice was industriously cleaning house and doing some landscape gardening in the front yard. She had cleaned the old house from top to bottom, laid a plain carpet in the best room, nailed pieces of tin carefully over rat holes, and pasted illustrated papers neatly over some breaks in the kitchen plastering. Her limbs and back ached fit to crack at this hard labor, to which she was unaccustomed. But Tom had been obliged to hire a hand, and they were not able to hire a girl, too. Then she learned that this was the customary work of farmers' wives and daughters. She could do what others did. She knew that her brother sorely needed helj^, and she determined to help him while she could. That might not be long. In a recent letter Arthur Wilson had asked her to be his wife, and she had consented. .She had at first told Tom, and it made him happy to know that his sister would be placed above want, whether their farming venture paid or not. For the present she was glad to make herself as useful as possible, even at the drudgery of a woman's life on a farm. One Saturday afternoon Tom and the hired hand spaded up the garden, broke the clods, leveled the ground, and laid off beds for onions, lettuce, beets, and peas. All the next week the weather was delightful, and Alice was busy plant- ing her garden. It was with great pride that she reported progress to the men folks every evening. One thing was yet lacking which must be attended to 376 AN IRON CROWN. soon. They had no chickens. They must have some at once, so they could have eggs to eat and raise some chickens. Tom had made arrangements to get the chickens from a neighbor. On the same Saturday afternoon on which Alice completed her garden, he drove over for the fowls, and biought back ten fine hens and a rooster. The chickens were put to roost in a little hen house back of the barn, and, very tired, the family retired to rest. They had preaching only every other Sunday in their Presbyterian church, at Prairie Grande. As there was no service next day, they con- cluded to lie abed late, city fashion, and take a good night's rest. About eight o'clock they rose, and the men went out to feed the horses and milk the cows, while Alice got breakfiist. After a while Tom came in with a half serious, half quiz- zical expression on his face. " Alice, your garden is a great success. Alost of the stuff is up already." " Why, that can't be. The onions that I planted Monday were peeping yesterday, but the peas hadn't sprouted. I dug some up to see." " They're up now any way." "You're fooling." " Look for yourself." " Peas must sprout very quick when they get started, I think." Alice went to the garden to look at this miracle of vegetation. The things were indeed up. The chickens had evidently been up, too. The garden was scratched into a wild chaos of confusion from one end to the other. The neat bor- ders of the beds were obliterated almost completely. Onions lay here and there with their shining coats con- spicuous in the morning sun or half buried in the loose soil. Swollen, dropsical peas dotted the ground whore the long pea rows had been. The smaller, dark-colored seeds modestly hid themselves as if ashamed to confess the ignominious treatment to which they had been subjected. Alice gazed at the ruin for some minutes in dire dismay. Then she returned to the kitchen only to witness another domestic disaster on a smaller scale. At the door she was greeted by the odor of "something burning." She rushed into the kitchen to find smoke pouring from the stove like an incipient volcano. Slie had just put in two or three pieces of dry board before going out, and now her batch of l^cakfast AN IRON CROWN. 377 biscuits were burned to a cinder. This was more than the most equable temper could be expected to endure with un- ruffled composure. " It serves you right, Tom," said AHcc, looking ruefully at the smoking biscuits, "You had no business to send me on a fool's errand. There's only soggy bread, and you may quit when you have eaten that." Somehow Alice found it a difficult matter to make the bread supply last as it should. She had never known men to have such voracious appetites. Her brother ate twice as much as he had ever done before, and as for Jim Cain, well, his ap- petite was to her a constant source of wonder. It was incom- prehensible to her how any human being could stow away such enormous quantities of bread and butter, ham, mashed potatoes and coffee. Their bill of fare had little variety, but he certainly made up in quantity. However, Jim was a tirst- class hand and a good fellow, so he was made welcome to all he wanted, notwithstanding the danger of exhausting the larder. Breakfast, which consisted of bread that had failed to rise, fried bacon and coffee, was dispatched in silence. That afternoon they went over to Bryce's, and Alice sought advice and consolation from Mrs. Bryce and May. The latter offered to go and stay a week with Alice, and assist her to get started in housekeeping. But Alice was independent, and while profiting by advice, was determined to succeed by her own efforts. On the next Monday morning they were to begin plant- ing corn, but when morning came it was raining hard. The weather had been fine, and the ground in splendid condition. Now nothing could be done that day or the next, as it was too wet. For want of a better job the men penned the chickens in the hen-house to save the garden from future devastation. Arrangements were made for feeding and watering the fowls. Next morning it was still raining, and the men went to town after attending to some chores in the barn. In the routine of a farmer's wife there is no interval be- tween the morning work and the beginning of preparations for dinner. Alice sat down for a moment to think. She looked out at the dreary, monotonous stretch of rain-soaked country over which the dark clouds hung apparently little higher than a tall tree. The water stood in puddles in the yard and splashed in a long waving line from the eaves of the barn. Its monotonous drip was everywhere. Then that re- 378 AN IRON CROWN. minded her that j^erhaps Jim's bed up stairs was not in the best place to avoid the dripping water. She took another pan and went up stairs. Nearly all the spare tinware and vessels about the house were already placed under the leaks to save the best room below. Up stairs she looked out again over the dull landscape dotted here and there in the distance by the dim outlines of farm-buiklings. She felt de- pressed and lonesome. She wondered liow she could ever have seen anything beautiful in this dull country, or how farmers found life endurable at all. She had no time to read. The Bryces, Deacon Brown's folks and one or two other families were their only really intelligent neighbors. They had a few books, a good newspaper and a popular magazine, but she never had time to do more than glance at the illustra- tions in the latter. When she quit work at night she was actually too tired to read. Perhaps this was partly because she did not understand her work sufficiently to have it well in hand, but if the present state of affairs were to continue al- ways she thought she would just as soon not live at all. And yet her position was no worse than that of thousands of farm- ers' wives and their husbands, too, who toil through life in this way, unable in some cases, unwilling in many cases, to attempt anything better. As a result there is a constant stream of intelligent country people seeking the city where they prefer to subsist on a pittance rather than go back to the farm. And yet countiy life to those who know how to im- prove its advantages furnishes the greatest amount of real happiness to be found anywhere. The domestic virtues take deeper root there. The farm is the nursery of great men. The wet weather continued the third day. There was the same monotonous dripping from the eaves, as the rain settled into a persistent downpour. The prairies were soaked like a sponge, and every tread of the foot caused a wheezy sqush as the displaced water spirted out. The "sloughs" became creeks of running water and overflowed the level ground near them. Norvvell, whose animal spirits were inclined to teeter up and down from a dangerous height of buoyancy to an op- posite depth of despondency, since his reverses, became ex- ceedingly blue. Planting for some time would he out of the question; meantime May was passing rapidly, and it would soon be late for corn planting. He tried to read, but quit frequently to scan the dull, slow-moving clouds. He talked with Jim on the prospects for late corn making a crop. It AN IRON CROWN. 379 was a new experience and a very disagreeable one to him, to be engaged in a business where he could only sit and wait. Disappointment was telling on his naturally equable temper. He grew moody, and said cross things to Alice. The wet spell continued for two weeivs, raining every day. At times as the drizzling, persistent rain threatened to ruin all prospects of a crop, Norwell got into a condition almost bordering on desperation. He imagined the very worst things possible. Suppose they were unable to make any crop at all! There was nothing ap^^arently but starvation before them. It was in vain that Jim offered consolation in the philosophical re- mark that "it couldn't rain always." Norwell went over to Bryce's frequently, where his com- ing always made May very happy, and bis going left her mis- erable. She was happy to have him near, and miserable be- cause she could not help noticing that he was not the light- hearted 3^oung man she had once seen him. She attributed this to his financial reverses, and tried to console him with ar- guments that riches were not necessary to true happiness. But as his views in this respect were so directly opposed to her own, her efforts were a signal failure. Then she em- ployed those little arts which are so natural to a refined, in- teresting young woman, but Tom never seemed quite at ease. He was as kind as ever, and observing of all those social courtesies which his early training hnd made second nature to him, but there was something lacking. Finally the dreadful thought occurred to her that possibly he no longer cared for her. He had always told lier they could not marry till he made money. Now, perhaps, he might want to be released, for riches seemed farther off than ever. Meantime, she was concealing their engagement from her father and mother. She felt guilty, but her timid modesty made it impossible to speak to him again on the subject of marriage till he was ready to speak first. Mrs. Bryce's experienced eye soon discovered that there was something more lietween the young people than ap- peared on the surface. She hinted as much to her husband, but his answer was: " Mary, you're always scart about something. May is a good girl and a sensible one. Tom Norwell is a gentleman. Maybe they are only good friends. Just let 'em alone awhile." " I don't know about letting them alone. Thev have 3S0 AN IRON CUOWX. been together a good deal in New York and ought to know their minds by this time. I've always heard it said that a town young man is never satisfied unless he has two or three girls." " Shucks, Mary, that's all nonsense. Tom Norwell isn't that sort of a man, I'm satisfied. If you want to, you might drop the child a hint not to be too forward with him." "Jacob, that is nonsense too. You know our child never was forward." " Then just say nothing for awhile." In spite of this confidence Mrs. Bryce did give May a hint which was received with respectful silence, no word of reply being ventured. During these wet-day visits, Mr. Bryce would, by his hearty good nature, the result of perfect health, prosj^crity and a well- balanced mind, talk Norwell into a more cheerful mood. The old farmer laughed at Tom's fears. " Never mind Norwell, we'll get our corn in all right yet. It is never too late while the month of May lasts. It is a little wetter than common, but when you've farmed it fifty years you will get used to all sorts o' ups and downs." The rain ended. The hand of adversity must take its turn at the bottom on the dial of events. A clear sky and a warm sun followed the wet weather. The water disap- peared as if by magic. The sloughs becjimc silver threads as they wound through the green springing grass that bent gracefully before the current. The pools sank away with re- markable rapidity. The trees sprang into full leaf under the hot sun almost as if nature had touched an electric button and set her machinery in full operation in an instant. The birds sang, twittered and builded everywhere. The wild flowers in the prairies, on such small patches as had never been dis- turbed by the plow, began to show their bright colors that contrasted so well with the exquisite green of the grass. Nature, had she tried, could scarcely have produced a greater contrast than that presented between the cold, drizzling, leaden landscape of a few days before, and this marvelous scene of bursting life and beauty. Jim said it would be three or four days before the ground was dry enough for corn planting. On the second day Norwell grew very impatient. He thought there was no need of waiting so long. Jim had gone to town, and at dinner tiine Tom announced his intention of AN IKON CKOVVN. 381 hitching to the planter and making a start. There was no water visible on the surface, and that was one evidence that the ground was dry enough. The whole op'eration was as new to him as it would have been for liim to attempt to lead a regi- ment of soldiers into battle. But he thought he was capable of managing the matter without Jim. He had found no serious trouble in plowing, though it was awkward at first. He harnessed the horses, hitched them to the planter, filled the seed box with corn, and di'ove into the field to begin. The ground was much softer than he expected. The horses sank in the loose soil almost to the knees at times. Their feet struck the ground with a peculiar plout, plout, plout, and the tracks instantly filled witii soft mud and water. Under its own weight and his, the machine sank so deep into the loose soil that its axle scraped the ground in places, making a broad trail as if a barn door loaded wdth stone had been dragged along. It was with difficulty the horses could draw it as they floundered in the mud. Norwell began to conclude that it was rather wet for planting, but there was one thing sure, he was getting it in deep enough. He drove along slowly till he came to a place where the ground was hollowed slightly like a big shallow dish. The place looked like an immense pan of soft black pudding. Here and there a very small pool of water showed above the oozy surface. Norwell unhesitatingly drove the team into this spot, but to his consternation tliey stopped, unwilling to proceed. The restive animals drew their feet from the mud, only to sink deeper. The planter settled into the ground at an astonishing rate, and threatened to disappear entirely. Norwell urged the horses forward, but they obstinately refused to budge. Then he jumped off the ]:)lanter to lead them and found himself sinking in the loose black mud up to his shoe tops. Taking the horses by the bits he tried to lead them forward. They either could not or would not move an inch. Growing impatient he struck the leader a blow with the ends of the lines. The restive animal making a desperate plunge to free himself, reared his fore quarters high in the air, and came down with a thud, knocking down his driver. Tom's feet had sunk so deep in the mud that he could not get out of the way, and he was thrown flat on his back with liis legs under the horse's body, which sank deep into the oozy soil. The situation was an exceedingly dangerous one. Norwell was uninjured because he sank into the mud so read- 382 AN IKON CKOWN. ily, that the weight of the animal, though very painful, was not liable to injure his limbs immediately. But the other horse was badly frightened, and was pulling sideways so hard that the liarncss would soon choke his prostrate fellow to death. Then if the animal still standing, lost his head and began to plunge, he was very liable to fall on top of both, and kill his owner and his mate. In this terrible situation Tom retained his presence of mind. He first yelled at the top of his voice for assistance. Then, with much painful effort, he succeeded in getting his jiocket-knife out, and by reaching forward in a way that twisted his body unmercifully, and made his legs feel as if they were about to be pulled off, he with much difficulty cut the hame-string of the fallen animal, and insured him from choking. This also enabled the otlier horse to stand easier, being relieved from the weight of his fellow. That weight however, came so heavy now on Norwell's thighs, that he felt as if his limbs were bursting. He called again, and fortu- nately two men were passing along the road only a short ilistance awa}'. They heard him, and ran to the rescue. To cut away the harness and free the other horse was but the work of a moment. Then, while one of them patted the prostrate animal and coaxed him to rise, the other grasped Tom's arms firmly, and prepared to drag him out as soon as the horse began to get up, for there was danger that the animal might crush the prostrate man. With a snort, a desperate effort and a shower of mud, the horse sprang to his feet, and Tom was extricated in safety. Neither he nor the horse was in the least injured. " You was in a mighty ticklish fix, stranger," said one of the men. " Well, 1 was for a fact. I'm obliged to you. I thinlv you have saved my life." Then, as the ludicrous phase of the accident struck Nor- well he burst into a hearty laugh followed by the other men who had been considerately suppressing their risibility. After all there was nothing broken to speak of, and nothing hurt. Tom, plastered from head to foot with mud, put the horses in the stable and went to the house. " Why, Tom," said Alice, " what on earth have you been doing? " " Planting corn, that's all. It's very muddy work I find," CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE POETRY OF SHEEP-SHEARING. ALSO A LITTLE BACKACHE. The corn was finally got into the gi'ound in good order before the end of May. Then, before the crop was ready to cultivate, came sheep-shearing with those farmers who at- tempted sheep-keeping on the broad prairies. Mr. Bryce as a large farmer, kept a little of every kind of stock known to the country, and liad some three hundred head of fine sheep. It was arranged that Norwell and his hired hand, Jim Cain, should assist one of Bryce's hired men to shear. If the reader does not already suspect it, it may be as well to inform him right here, that this narrative has reached a poetical period in its progress. There is perhaps more poetry and traditional sentiment associated with the sheep or bottled up in his innocent anatomy, ready for instant use, than in any other natural production. When the spring poet is hard put to for a simile, the playful lambkin always gambols in to his assistance, though why the cub of the polar bear has never been associated with the Northwestern spring is beyond com- prehension. His constitution and habits certainly fit him for enduring the rigors of a May blizzard far better than the lambkin. This constant readiness on the part of the lamb to help poets and school girl essay writers out of a hole is ex- ceedingly kind of him, seeing that his presence is often de- manded when a Norther has caused the thermometer to skurry down in the neighborhood of zero inside a few hours. Then when the politician or the political journalist is in need of a striking, yet simple and touching figure, he pictures his party (which he calls the people) as the immaculate lamb, while the opposite party is the unspeakable wolf, whose mouth waters for a bite of this delicious, fresh mutton. Him- self he poses as the valiant shepherd, and guards the fold by snugly tucking the lamb into his own vest pocket. Then the theologian dreams of a time, too, when the lion and the l.amb shall lie down together, the lamb outside that royal sneak, (383) 3S4 AN IKON CROWN. instead of inside, as has been tlie custom heretofore. Viro;il found the himb indispensable to a species of poetry caUed bucohc, and poets have ever since worked tliis apparently inexhaustible vein, until the lamb is as necessary to the poet- aster as moonshine is to penny a line love. But as a type of a Northwestern spring, I insist that we must have the polar bear, or at least the arctic fox. In the eyes of many city people country life is beatified by a constant halo of poetry. The school readers of twenty- five years ago pictured haying as a most romantic and enviable occupation. They spoke of tossing the sweet-scented hay into the fragrant breezes, as if it had been delightful play in- stead of a back-breaking, throat-parching, muscle-grinding, early-and-late operation, the only pleasure pertaining to which was the fact that it was at last done. The writer of those very sentimental but enormous lies, by some unaccountable summersault of his imagination (for he never held a pitchfork in his life) had pictured hay-making as a vei"y agreeable pas- time, something similar, for example, to eating a lemon cream with a bewitching young lady. This description of hay- making was as incomprehensible to the country boy who knew all about it, as it was misleading to the city boy who knew nothing about it. The former could not make it out. He had little help from his teachers, because school teachers in those days, and very often nowadays unfortunately, were so intent on giving the mill so many revolutions per day that they never noticed whether it was grinding or not, and thus often ran with an empty hopper. Then, the juvenile brain, as now, was often dull, and the impatient teacher, despairing of inciting ideas in the proper region, frequently attempted to stimulate them on other portions of the anatomy, doubtless on the principle of counter irritation. So if teacher or pupil gave this literature any thought at all, which was seldom, they concluded it must refer to hay-making in some other world. Had the writer of such school books ever pitched dusty hay onto a stack for twelve hours per day with a big three-pronged fork till every pore of his body dripped sweat, till his back seemed ready to crack every minute, and his tongue was as dry as a smoked herring, then perliaps he would have known how to get a few bed-rock facts into his description of hay-making. And so the enchantment of most agricultural labor, including that which pertains to sheep husbandry, lies chiefly in the fact that you can let some other fellow perform it. AN IKON CROWN. 385 On Monday morning all was ready at Bryce's to begin the sheep-shearing. The men were dressed in their oldest clothes, and besides wore blue cotton blouses. Mr. Bryce was to do nothing but roll the wool into neat fleeces, clean side out, and oversee the work generally. " Boys, you three ought to clean up the whole three hundred in three days easily," he re- marked before they began. Low platforms about two feet and a quarter high had been arranged to shear on. The sheep were penned in the same shed where they would be handy to catch. The animal to be sheared is not tied in any way, but simply set upright on its hindquarters. The shearer places his left foot on an elevated rest, and leans the body of the sheep backward over his left thigh, and begins operations, having both hands free to engage in the work. The manure had lately been hauled from the shed, a part of which had no roof. The night before a slight shower had wet the smooth, discolored, putty-looking ground, and it was now about as slippery as a layer of soft soap. The two hired men by a dexterous dash caught a sheep apiece and showed Norvvell how to begin by first shearing the entire head care- fully, then working down and around the body. " Now Norwell," said Jim, " go in and catch your sheep." Norvvell went in. There was a twinkling of numerous sheep's heels, but to his surprise, among sojnany legs he was not able to lay hold of any. He had been cautioned not to catch them by the wool, which was much easier. The sheep, as if fleeing for dear life, scuttled away to the far end of the shed. Norwell and Mr. Bryce drove them back, and Tom prepared for another dash. About the center of the exposed part of the shed was a little hole in the smooth ground filled with water. In his second dash Norwell selected a particular sheep which, of course, made frantic efforts to evade him. " Take any one," yelled Bryce. As the twinkling legs flitted past him he made another dash. But he had not noticed the little pool of water. His feet were in the air in a second, and he sat down in that hole with what seemed to him extraordinary celerity. He felt as if he had sat down with a striking force of about a ton. The dirty water flew in a spray in every direction. The shearers dropped their shears and devoted themselves for a brief space to a rib-start- ing explosion at this most ludicrous attitude of Norwell as he sat for a moment in the hole where water had been, but where it was no more. He rose slowly and looked into the little hoi- 3S6 AN IKON CROWN. low which had just fit his well-proportioned body. He was surprised that the hole was no deeper; he thought he had sat down hard enough to make a cavity at least twice as deejD. " You're a capital swab," said Mr. Bryce. "Making post-holes? " queried Bryce's man. " How is the subsoil down there, Norwell?" asked Jim. "Not so yielding as I expected." Then Norwell realized that he was dripping from head to foot with the dirty water. But he had on cast-ofF clothing, and the weather was warm. Then a man's appearance, which is everything in the city, is nothing in the country, particularly in sheep-shearing. Next time a sheep was caught with very little difficulty. Norwell began, according to directions, on the animal's nose and worked upward around its eyes and ears. He was sur- prised at the number of protuberances about a sheep and wondered how they had survived so many shearings' without having been all clipped off. The poor sheep realizing that he was in the hands of a novice, was uneasy, and suddenly turned his head. Tom was horrified at seeing a vicious slash of the stilT-springed shears cut off a great piece from one eye- brow. This was a sort of ante-mortem not down on the bills. Tom felt uneasy at such wicked work, but clipped away and tried to mop off the blood with bits of waste wool. Pretty soon the sheep gave another sudden turn of his head, and the unfeeling shears lopped off the point of one ear. Tom Nor- well now began to wish that some scientist was present to improve the occasion of so much vivisection. Mr. Bryce, who happened along, seeing this surgical operation, said good humorcdly : "Steady, Norwell, steady. A sheep can stand a good deal of pruning and not mind it, but you must leave a little of him, a sort of graft, you know, or he may not pull through." "Mr. Bryce, I tliink you had better send for the coroner at once. I don't believe there will be enough of this sheep left to make even a graft by the time I get through, and the inquest had better be held while there is plenty of remains." "If you don't reduce him too much he will pull through. Pshaw, he'll not know the difference in a week." "Why wouldn't it be a good scheme," asked Jim, "to put the lambs' tails into a flower-pot when we cut them off, and raise another crop of lambs from them?" "Jim, Pll let you have 'em, free, when you get ready to go into the sheep business," replied Mr. Bryce. Then they AN IRON CROWN. 3S7 all laughed uproariously at this tremendous witticism, just as the countryman does at a circus joke on its fortieth annual appearance. Norwell was surprised, after finishing the very ticklish operation of shearing the head, to find that the body of a sheep consisted of little else but wrinkles. Jim told him to straighten them out with his left hand. But the wrinkles always seemed to reappear at the critical moment, and always just under the big, sharp shears. Then a piece of skin was snipped out which appeared about the size of a dime. But when the helpless victim wriggled himself into a position where this spot was on a bump instead of on a wrinkle, it ap- peared to Tom's astonished gaze about the size of a small tea saucer. He clipped away industriously till his sheep was half done, when he found to his mortification that Jim and the other man had turned loose three each, and Bryce's man had nearlv finished the fourth. Norwell lay down his shears to turn his sheep around so he could shear the other side. The im- patient animal, knowing that time had elapsed more than suf- ficient for any operation a sheep was familiar with, objected to a continuance of the sitting, and raised himself at the same instant he raised the objection. He gave a sudden squirnj, stiflTened his hind legs on the platform, bowed his neck, made a corkscrew of himself, and with an agile bound went flying away before Tom could grab anything but the tattered fleece. A sheep's leg is a very fragile looking member, but the amount of energy it can exert is marvelous. W^ith a few quick " sheep" jumps the alarmed animal freed itself from the hanging fleece, which was torn to shreds and draggled in the dirt. With some difficult}' the victim was recaptured and put to the torture again, and finally the shearing was completed. The animal when turned loose was so spotted with patches that it was diflicult to tell whether the greater part of the skin had been removed or left on. He resembled, somewhat, one of those freshly-skinned, boiled hams neatly decorated with pepper spots by the deft fingers of ladies, for the purpose of beguiling the coveted quarters from the pockets of visitors at a church fair. Mr. Bryce remarked that the skin remain- ing ran in spots a little, and perhaps a moi^e regular distribu- tion might have suited the sheep better, had it been consulted, but, on the whole, he supposed there might be worse jobs. At dinner time Norwell had his third sheep about half done. If he waited to finish he should be late for dinner at least half an 3SS AN IRON CUOWN. hour, SO Bryce's man kindly finished the clip for him in a few minutes. At dinner May, who was waiting on the table, asked him : " IIow many sheep did you shear, Mr. Norwcll?" "Two and a half." " Two and a half! How did you get the half sheep?" "Had help on that sheep." Norwell could give or take a joke as well as anybody, but something in his tone seemed to indicate that he preferred to talk in the presence of his lady love on some other subject, so no more was said about the day's work. That afternoon all hands worked silently and with unre- mitting industry. No jesting or bantering was indulged in, because every minute must be put in to make a full day's work, for the forenoon start had been poor. Mr. Bryce was leady to talk or crack a joke at any lime when be had leisure, but when he hired men for a day's work he expected a full day's work. His favorite argument was that men could not work and talk at the same time. The other men turned loose sheep at a rate which surprised Norwell. The pecul- iar bending posture necessary to hold the sheep in place was exceedingly tiresome. Norwell felt as if his back must certainly give wav. He alternately stooped a little lower than was necessary, or raised a little higher than was con- venient, in order to relieve the strain on his aching muscles. Between these two extremes there was a sort of dead point where it seemed as if nature could endure no longer. But he held out manfully, and began to get " the hang" of the business, as Jim expressed it. At night, as a result of all this torture, Tom had turned loose seven half-skinned, miserable victims, Jim had twenty-five done better, while Bryce's man had sheared thirty-seven as smooth as velvet, and scarcely a cut visible. On the second day Norwell felt as if he had passed through a carpet beating establishment. After the violent exercise he had caught cold by sitting in the twilight in his shirt sleeves talking to the men. On first beginning work every movement was an excruciating torture. As he stooped over the struggling sheep it seemed that the muscles of his back must be giving way fiber by fiber, slowly but surely, like the strands of a loose rope subjected to a great strain, and that sooner or later they would part with a sudden snap. Then, like Captain Kidd, he swore a great oath that he was AN IRON CROWN. 389 not cut out for a farmer, only his oath was a powerful mental one, while the malediction of the celebrated pirate is said to have been very tangible. There is a little story (doubtless as old as the f;\ct that it illustrates) of a Teutonic parent who castigated his offspring severely for swearing. The boy, nowever, so stoutly asserted his innocence that the rod of discipline hung for a moment suspended in doubt. Though the Teutonic mind moves slowly, it exhibits no little fertility of resource. After a pause of painful interest to the party of the second part, Mine Herr evolved the following startling conclusion: " Veil, dot bin all right, Hans, if you tidn't schwear. But you tinks tavimit now, an' I yoost vips you for dot." The logic of jMine Herr, though perhaps a trifle caustic, is based after all on a principle, for a sin of the imagination may be, in fact usually is, the parent of a sin in fact. Norwell went home in no very good humor. He was disgusted with the world and with himself. He left Bryce's without saying good-night to May. He reached home half disposed to find fault with his sister for urging him to take the farm. He was in that disagreeable mood which most of us have sometimes when the whole world appears to be down on us, and we, ready to give as good as we get, are down on the whole world. At such times the quarrelsome man is itching to knock somebody down, the mean man goes home and acts ugly in his fomily, the bibulous man goes out and gets gloriously full, and the Christian— ^well, even a Christian's wife and children know when he is in a bad humor by the way he kicks the cat, for example. He forgot, in fact, like many men, he scarcely realized what the woman of the house had been doing. His muscles often ached, it is true. Hers ached daily as she cooked, washed, swept, baked, churned, fed the poultry, made beds, washed the dishes, polished the stove, hoed the garden, and so on through an interminable list of petty, vexatious details. Then Alice was only a sister. A wife might besides have had the care of several children to double her daily labors. A neighbor had brought a letter that day from the post- office. Alice noticed that it bore the New York postmark, and that the address was in Chetta Ingledee's hand. " Here is a letter for you, Tom." He opened the letter and read it in silence. "Any. special news from our New York friends?" she I ventured to inquire. 390 AN IRON CROWN. " Nothing of interest." This was said in a tone which plainly indicated that he did not wish to be questioned on the subject. After a pause of a few minutes, she remarked: "Tom, the chickens are not doing well shut up." " Why not?" " They have nearly stopped laying. Mrs. Smith says they will do no good in conlinement." " I wish Mrs. Smith would stay away from here if she has nothing else to do but put fort}' things into your head for mc to attend to." ''Why it is nothing to Mrs. Smith," retorted Alice, in some surprise, "what we do with our chickens. I think my- self if we want eggs or young chickens we must turn the hens out." " The^-'ll scratch up the garden." " I will watch them." " All right, I'll turn them out in the morning. But I want nothing more to do with them." After that Alice had to run out fifty times per day, more or less, to " shoo" the chickens out of the garden. Then Tom got a big dog to guard it, but he created more havoc chasing the fowls over the beds than the chickens did them- selves. So the dog was tied up and had to be fed three times per (iay. June was a propitious month. The crops all gave most excellent promise. The corn, in spite of late planting, was looking first-rate. When they first began cultivating it Tom was afraid to plow close to the rows lest he might uproot the young plants. Jim told him to plow closer. By a dexterous manipulation of the cultivator Jim could throw the loose soil up around the corn, covering the young weeds completely, and the corn at once shot up in a strong stalk. Norwell's rows on the other hand showed a long green ribbon of weeds that nearly smothered the corn. It took him some days to master what seemed at first very easy. Under the propitious influences of a hot June sun and the most fertile of soils the corn grew so fast that it was no violent strain of the imagination to fancy one could see it grow. This dark- gieen, stately, semi-tropical plant puts to shame with its glowing beauty of blade, tassel and plume, the most pre- tentious exotic that ever languished inider glass. And yet tliis prince of all plants, like a prophet, has little honor in its own country, being constantly associated with that unclean AN IRON CROWN. 39I beast, the hog. Inseparable they have gone into history to- gether in the Southwestern dish known as " hog and hominy." While things were going so well on the farm in general, Alice's department did not flourish. The neighboring women were selling eggs and butter enough to buy groceries for their families, calicoes, shoes, and in some instances " hick- ory" to make the men everyday shirts. The more thrifty farmers, however, bought their supplies in larger quantities to be paid for when tiie crops were sold. Alice Norwell's schemes did not prosper. Her hens after much tribulation and effort had hatched about fifty chickens. But alas! a few wet days appeared simultaneous with the chicks, and half the unfoitunate infants died with the gapes. This disease was checked with dry weather, and about twen- ty-five thrifty young fowls promised a reward for so much trouble. But there is a tide in the afl^liirs of chickens as well as men. In fact, in this case there were two, and the second swept away the remnant left by the first. Suddenly the young chickens began to disappear at night. They were not large enough to tempt any one to steal them, hence there was an unsolved mystery about the matter somewhere. The dog was securely tied, but he barked and scratched a great deal in the night. Still the chickens disappeared regularly. One day the former tenant of the place (who after all with characteristic inertia had not worked up his courage to the point of emigrating to Kansas) called, and on hearing the mystery of the missing chickens, pronounced it no mystery at all. " I 'low the varmin has done took 'em." "The varmin! What is that?" inquired Tom. The man stared in surprise at such astounding ignorance, then replied: " Waal, all sorts o' wild truck, sich as skunks, an' 'pos- sums, an' coon. I 'low mebbe this hyur tarnal critter was a mushrat. There's a right smart sprinklin' uv them this year. Let the dog loose at night." That night " Bounce" was untied, and next morning a huge musk rat lay dead in the yard, the victim of over-confi- dence. Meantime all the ypung^ chickens were killed but one ungainly rooster. As an only child this bird assumed un- usual privileges. He grew to be a great, clumsy, comical- looking thing, and had so much self assurance that in a hap- py streak of facetiousness Jim Cain called him after a certain 392 AX IROX CROWN. statesman of national reputation and monumental brass. The "statesman " helped himself to the best there was going. He was an indefatigable forager in the kitchen, to Alice's great annoyance. As the solitary spring chicken remaining, he realized that certain immunities were his. He held such an important place in the famil}'' interests that, in a letter to her friend, Mrs. Wylie, who had not yet been able to visit the Norwells, Alice referred to this relic of her crop of spring chickens. There was a fine crop of delicious cherries, and Alice de- termined to dry some after canning all she wished. With much labor she removed the pits from enough to cover a large wooden board, which she placed in the sun on the low roof of the woodshed. But the statesman, like his human namesake, could scent spoils even when they were invisible. With much effort, for he was a heavy bird, he flew and just missed landing on the roof. By holding on with his head to the eaves, while he flapped furiously with his wings and worked his long legs with marvelous rapidity, he at last sur- mounted the difficulty and reached the roof, where with bus- _ iness-like dispatch he devoured all the cherries unobserved. Alice had heard him fly up there and thought nothing about it. But her wrath was kindled at this crowning outrage, and she demanded the statesman's life. But courageous woman that she was, she could not bear to kill a chicken. The men admired the statesman's comic antics, and would not. The muskrats dared not, and so this solitary spring chicken lived and flourished. CHAPTER XXXIX. A WESTERN CYCLONE. HOW RAILROADS DIVIDE WITH THE FARMER. It was midsummer and the weather was exceedingly hot. The corn had sprung up with wonderful rapidity and was now in tassel. The potatoes had grown till they had burst their hills open in wide cracks. All nature was in fact, as lavish of her wealth as she knew how to be in these regions of wonderful fertility. AN IRON CROWN. 393 One hot day late in July Norwell and his man were busy finishing the hay harvest. The sun blazed from a cloudless sky, and the heat was most oppressive on the prairies. There was not a breath of air stirring. The cattle sought the shade of the scrub-oak groves, where the dumb creatures waged incessant warfare with the remorseless, green-headed, blood- thirsty fly. The hogs rooted fresh places in the very damp- est ground or plunged directly into the pools of the fast-fail- ing creek where they were fortunate enough to have access to the stream. The birds were silent and inactive in the orchards and long osage hedges. The chickens moped sluggishly with drooping wings, the very picture of abject discomfort in this sweltering, stifling heat. The leaves on the trees hung with a slightly wilted, limp appearance, and in- clined to expose their whitish under sides, tmmoved by the stagnant atmosphere. The heat rose from the baked earth in a visible, faint-bluish vapor, that continually zig-zagged upward with a tremulous motion. The shirts of the laborers were as wet as if they had been dipped in water. The horses looked as if they had just emerged from a bath in the river. Away off to the southwest there had hung all day low in the horizon a long bank of beautiful fleecy " thunderheads." These exquisite creations of the atmosphere looked like a fairy- land. The silvery, motionless masses of clouds, extending in a long line, slffirply defined against the soft blue sk}^, looked strikingly like a chain of snow-capped mountains in the far distance. The fleecy piles rose high at irregular intervals like peaks, and had apparently all the stability of land. Their brilliant edges alone were too conspicuous to carry out the illusion fully. This delicate line looked like a burnished alloy of silver and gold, in which the gold showed plainest. To the poetic imagination there is no more romantic phenom- enon of nature, than these piles of fantastic, ever-changing clouds. Jim Cain, however lacking in poetic appreciation of this beautiful spectacle, was weather-wise enough to read in it a coming storm. Accustomed, as a natural consequence of his out door life, to observe closely the phenomena of nature, he knew all " signs," and prophesied a thunder storm in the afternoon. They labored diligently to finish the hay before rain came. About two o'clock in the afternoon the long line of clouds began to rise slowly and show beneath it a black band. In this dark belt an occasional flash of lightning was visible, 394 ^^ IRON CROWN. and before long the low rumblinj^ of thunder could be heard. The black belt of clouds increased rapidly in width and filled the whole horizon in the west. Suddenly these apparently motionless, fleecy masses seemed driven rapidly onward by some force behind. Their color became an inky black as the still unoliscured sun shone on them, and this black mass rapidly filled the western sk}-. Now the upper edge lost its fleecy out- lines as it was pushed on by the inky masses behind. The sun was obscured and the heavens grew dark. The fore part of the advancing cloud now high in the heavens, began to look like a frightful dark pall with an irregular, fringing, lower edge torn into flying shreds. The inky belt below changed into a leaden gray, through which the lightning played incessantly and the thunder rolled in deafening peals. The frightened birds and animals sought refuge. It became almost as dark as night. Still there was not a breath of wind, or a drop of rain. Suddenly a mighty fragment of the great ragged curtain seemed to drop toward the ground in the sJiape of an enor- mous funnel, which lengthened into a huge, rope-like body, that could be seen to revolve with frightful velocity. This mighty column with a great funnel-shaped top now appeared to shoot ahead of the other clouds^ and move forward with the speed of a race horse. It was the dreaded cyclone on its awful career of devastation. People sought their cellars in terj-or, and waited for the worst. The black column sped swiftly past from west to east about two miles south of Norwell's. A horrible roaring noise accompanied its move- ments. It was not merely air in motion. It was some giant force striking a mighty blow. \Vith the crash of a thousand hammers it struck buildings and instantly crushed them into kindling wood. It leaped from the ground only to bound down again witli increased force. It was an electric discharge, a palpable 1 bunder clap with the speed of a can- non ball and the strength of an earthquake. It was a black and nameless terror that bore death and desolation in its wanton career, and rivaled nature's deadliest scourges. Houses and other buildings were wrenched from their foundations and scattered far and wide, till scarcely one beam remained fast to another. Trees were torn fiom their roots or twisted round and round till the trunk was one mass of long splinters. The water was lifted from the beds of streams in a body, and scattered to the winds. Curious AM IRON CROWM. 395 pranks were played by the cyclone. One house was turned round on its foundations, with little injury, till it faced the south instead of the east. A rail was driven endwise through a door leaving a clean round hole such as a cannon ball makes. Articles of furniture and apparel were dangling in the tops of trees. Scraps of paper were found at a distance of one hun- dred miles from the place whence they started. Fortunately this track of devastation was only about half a mile wide. But the cyclone had left desolation and mourning behinil it. Several people had been killed outright, and a greater num- ber injured. After the excitement caused by the cyclone had subsided, things settled again into the quiet routine of farm life. May Brj'ce had obtained Tom's consent that she might inform her parents of their engagement with the understanding that he wished it for the present to remain a secret. Alice was not to know till Tom succeeded in making money, a notion which he persisted in, despite of its absurdity. Mr. Bryce was pleased with the prospect of having Norwell for a son- in-law. He thought him a very " likely " young man. Mrs. Bryce was scarcely pleased, either with May's choice or the manner in which the choice was made, but she sensibly ac- quiesced, realizing that opposition then could be prolific only of harm. May was now supremely happy, the happiest she had ever been, the fear of offending her parents having been re- moved. She had Tom all to herself here, and with the sense of exclusive possession, the old morbid fear of Chetta Ingle- dee's power died out, or at least slumbered. Her health im- proved. Her rosy cheeks assumed a natural hue. Her old time buoyancy returned. Norwell thought she grew more bewitching every day. Still, he was dimly cognizant of a feeling that the companionship of this trusting girl with her country manners, did not satisfy him, and he in\ariably on such occasions compared her with Chetta Ingledee, whose prompt decisiveness of character was more to his notion. Alice was not to be deceived. She had told her brother of her engagement to Wilson at an early date. But he gave no sign of making the confidence mutual. She had for a long time known that May loved him dearly, and suspected that there was an understanding between them. As time wore on she had seen several of those letters bearing the New York postmark. Alice Norwell knew perfectly well that most 396 AN IRON CROWN. men arc capable of a little flirtation sometime in their lives. She suspected Tom and grew indicjnant at the thouh(;uld happen you I think it would kill him. Will you try.' Please forgive the faidts of your sister, and try to remember her kindly, (iood-bye, dear boy. Your Loving Sister, Chetta." With his toilet hi a very incomplete .state, Silas hastened down to his father's private office. " What is the meaning of all this?" he asked excitedlv. In reply, Mr. Ingledee handed Silas the note addressed to the father, while he took tiie one addressed to his son. After perusing the note, Silas said: « But I don't understand it at all." « It is soon made plain. Your sister chose to impugn my business motives, and I reproved her rather severely. She has not taken it kindly, that is all." " But what did you say to her, father?" persisted Silas. " I shall idlow no child who eats my bread, to say it was obtained dishonestly. I think I told her I should harbor no traitor." " Don't you think that was a little rough on Chet? You know she's full of mettle." " She must learn duty and obedience." "Hang it all, what's the use of paying any attention to the thoughtless words of a girl?" " They were not thoughtless words. They were very de- liberate, on tlie contrary." "Well, suppose they were. It's a woman's way to talk. You've been too severe on her. Suppose she did say that stock operations are not always straight. Don't we know it to be a fact? And doesn't the public know it?" "What! Are you going to harp the same tune? Be- w:ire! I tell you 1 will not have it." But the young man was by no means intimidated by the threat. In coolness and specious insinuating logic he was fully the equal of his father, while his knowledge of the world was a valuable auxiliary just now. "Now, father," he said deprecatingly, " do not misunder- stand me. I am only saying what we know about our busi- ness. I'm not harping it to the world, and I'm not going back on the business. But facts are facts, just the same. Now if AN IRON CROWN. 455 you will allow me to express my plain opinion of this busi- ness I say that I think you have made a deuce of a bad break," " I have simply do:ie nothing, sir." " Chet hasn't deserved this," said Silas, paying no atten- tion to the interruption. "If you had- given me such a scor- ing there would have been more propriety in it — at least every- body thinks so, and I know my feelings could stand it, and hers couldn't." " If she had come to me and asked to go away for a year I should have made an ample provision. She is wilful and ungrateful." " She would beg before she would ask for a thing in that way." " Well, now that it is over, there's no use discussing the subject further," said Mr. Ingledee, trying to dismiss the mat- ter summarily. In truth he felt that he was in the wrong partly at least, but he would not openly admit it just yet. " But it isn't over, father. We must get Chetta back, and that will perhaps be no easy matter." " She left of her own accord. She may come back the same way. I will have nothing further to do with the affliir." " Now, father, you are unreasonable. We must get her back. I shall have all the cletectives in the country engaged before I'll give up the case." " Do as you please, Silas, but do it in your own name. I'll pay the bills if they are reasonable, but that is all." For the sake of the family name Mr. Ingledee was willing to do so much. He drove down town to the office and called Roker in at once. The two had a private interview of considerable length. Roker was greatly puzzled and considerably disconcerted at the disappearance of the young lady. Lately he flattered himself that he was progressing in his own suit, almost im- perceptibly he knew, and more by the lever of intimacy than through any evidences she gave of caring for this frigid gentleman who kept his society manners continually on ice. Mr. Ingledee was not very explicit in revealing the details of the scene between himself and his daughter. So far as Roker heard them, he thought they were not sufficient cause for the flight. Then Roker hinted at an elopement with Tom Nor- well. This greatly surprised Mr. Ingledee. He knew in his heart that his daughter had ample cause in his words for leav- ing her home. But he was surprised at Roker's suggestion 456 AN IKON CROWN. of elopement, and thouglit the anger exhibited by that gen- tleman highly commendable in a friend of the family. Roker was unsparing in his denunciation, and said hard things of Norwell in his rage. Ingledee finally reminded him that this idea was at best only a surmise. He was unwilling to believe this of Norwell, who was in the main an excellent young man, he thought. Roker, however, convinced Mr. Ingledee iinally that it was best to take active measures for recovering the fugitive. On the day following Chetta Ingledee's flight, Tom Nor- well called at the quiet boarding-house where his sister and May Bryce lived. His call was verj' brief. He had come to tell them that business would take him from the city for a few days, as he intended going to Pennsylvania. With these few words of explanation, he left the vvomen, who thought there was nothing strange about the matter. On the same evening Mr. Horace Roker called and inquired for Miss Bryce. He had a speaking acquaintance with both of the young ladies, but scarcely a calling acquaintance. How- ever, May thought little of this, having been brought up where the formalities of etiquette were often ignored. Horace Roker never affected to play the smiling, bowing, facile beau who is always happy in the society of ladies, regardless of time or circumstance. He never could have played that role if he had chosen. His was not a face that smiles adorned, and his smirk would have been a hideous thing. Faultless dress and extreme gentility were his strong points with the fair sex. He chatted pleasantly for some time with Miss Bryce, talked about her country home, asked her how she liked the city, mentioned society events casually, and on the whole, greatly entertained her. Then he remarked that he must be going soon. He wished to drop in at the Argosy Club, hop- ing to meet Mr. Norwell. May now informed him that his visit would be fruitless, as Mr. Norwell had left town for a few days. This was a startling corroboration of Roker's elope- ment theory, but he exhibited no surprise on receiving the im- portant news. Thanking her for the information, Roker still seemed in no hurry to go, but continued the conversation until he artfully obtained a confirmation of his surmise tliat May knew more about Tom Norwell than she cared to confess. He changed the conversation abruptly, and asked her if she had heard the latest sensation. " No, what is it, Mr. Roker?" AX IKON CROWN. 457 " Miss Ingledee, the heiress, disappeared last night unac- countably." He narrowly watched her as he said this. May could not conceal some agitation at the startling intelligence. " Disappeared ? How ? " " She has gone, run away from home, that's all. There is an evening paper containing a brief account of the affair." He pulled the paper from his pocket and handed it to her. " What is the cause of such strange conduct on her part, Mr. Roker?" " Nobody seems to know. It may be domestic difficulties, maybe there is some other reason." May was completely bewildered. Roker, however, had learned, first, that May Bryce was in love with Tom Nor- well, as he was almost assured beforehand; second, that she recognized Miss Ingledee as a rival, and feared her moreover, as he had suspected; third, that she was ignorant of Nor- well's real whereabouts; lastly, he could rely on her as an active ally of his own. Roker finally took his leave, and May perused the provokingly indefinite article in the paper. Alice came in and together they reread it, but they were unable to solve the mystery. May scarcely knew whether to be secretly pleased at her rival's disappearance or not. Suddenly her eye caught the statement that a hackman had driven the young lady to the Pennsylvania railroad ferry. With alarm she thought of Norwell's trip to Pennsylvania, his sudden departure, his hasty leave-taking of the night before, and his refusal to tell her where he was going. " Oh, Alice, read that." She turned deadly pale, and would have fallen had not Alice caught her and led her to a chair. Alice glanced at the ominous line, then said softl}' : " Poor child, I see it all now. My brother has your heart, and is not behaving well. He has failed to keep his promise." As May attempted to interrupt her, she went on: "I see it all; you would apologize for him." "Do you think — that — he would do that?" said May faintly. " No, May; calm yourself. He would never elope with that girl. It would be madness, knowing what Mr. Ingledee is. He has not done that. It must be merely a disagreeable coincidence. Arthur may know more of his trip. I will send for him." She sat down and hastily wrote a note. "Arthur: Please come over immediately. I must see you to-night. Alice Norwell." 45^ AN IRON CROWN. She dispatched this at once to Wilson's hotel, which was a fashionable one up town. The two women sat and talked over these strange events and wondered. Alice succeeded in quieting May's fears. Now that she shared May's secret, Alice felt the tender devotion of a loving sister toward this girl who had so long meekly endured a great wrong. She was secrelly indignant with her brother for his inexcusable conduct, but this was no time to indulge in censure. May needed comfort iiiore. At last they agreed that their scare was very absurd. A thou- sand men might go to the Pennsylvania depot without explaining the object of their journey. But that was no evidence that each intended to elope with a woman. It occurred to Alice that some excuse would be necessary to explain her hasty sending for Wilson. She would ask him to tell her what he knew of Miss Ingledee's disappearance, and whether there was anything later known. Wilson appeared somewhat surprised to find himself sum- moned by his lady love at ten o'clock at night, to talk over a matter in which she had no ajjparent interest beyond curiosity. He had very little to tell. Alice soon inquired if he knew the object of Tom's visit. '< Has he not told you?" " No, we have few confidences on business matters now." " It is somewhat of a secret, in fact, and vou ladies need not repeat it. He and I think of forming a co-partner- ship of some kind, — we scarcely know what yet. Just now Tom iias gone to Pennsylvania to look at some oil lands we think of buving." This explanation of Norwell's business afforded the ladies inexpressible relief. Their spirits rose, they jested, chatted and laughed, till they fairly surprised Wilson with their gayety. He thought they had looked uneasy when he first came, in fact, almost anxious. Now they oscillated to the opposite extreme without apparent cause. He soon took his departure, vowing to himself that woman is a mulitiplied conundrum with a thousand answeis, and wondering why he had liecn sent for at all. After two or three days' reflection, Mr. Ingledee con- cluded that his daughter's sudden desertion of her home was only a caprice, like that for example of entertaining ragged newsboys in the Ingledee mansion. He felt sure that his view would eventually prove the correct one. The voung • AN IRON CROWN. 45C lady would return in due time when she found that no par- ticular fuss was made about her absence. No youus^ lady, he thought, would voluntarily surrender her portion in so many millions. Silas, who knew his sister better, held a different opinion, and had quietly put a detective aijency in possession of all the facts, with instructions to find his sister. Mr. Ingledee, in his assertive confidence of always con- trolling the situation, which was begotten of many years of uniform success, was not greatly troubled by the- unexpected episode which had occurred in his famil}'. But a dreadful event was about to take place which at one blow would extinguish the hope of a lifetime and leave this bold, design- ins: man a baffled, heart-broken one. Silas Ingledee had often entertained in regal style, on board the family yacht, the " Golden Gate." In turn he had numerous invitations to participate in pleasure excursions and festivities on board other yachts. A few days after Chetta's disappearance, a young gentleman who had lately inherited great wealth, invited Silas Ingledee to be present with a few others, at the trial trip of his new fast-sailing vacht, " Ora," which had just been completed. A favorable breeze carried the handsome craft down the bay toward the ocean. The young men were delighted with her sailing qualities. The Ora carried a perfect cloud of canvas, and moved over the water withthe grace of a bird and the instinct of a living thing. The masts leaned before the wind at what a land-lubber would have considered a verj' dangerous angle. Sudden 1}', while tacking, a squall struck the vessel and capsized her squarely on her beam ends. The great spread of sail struck the water and seemed to adhere to it. The vessel quivered, but could not right herself. The sea poured into the cabin and hold. All was excitement on board, but before a single effective measure for safety could be taken the Ora had gone down, leaving some twenty persons struggling in the water. Some clung to a boat that floated bottom up. Others sus- tained themselves by swimming until picked up by the boats of a craft that fortunately was near. Three persons were drowned, and among them Silas Ingledee. The bodies were brought to the city, and the relatives at once notified. Mr, Ingledee read the message announcing his son's death in a dazed sort of stupor. His mental facul- ties seemed suspended. '■'-Dead!'''^ he exclaimed. " That can not be; mv brain is not clear, it must mean ivellT He tried to 460 AN IRON' CROWN. rouse his vision and his thoughts to a clearer perception of the words on the paper before him. He looked again at the fatal buff slip with the well-known printed head of the tele- graph company. The writing seemed indistinct, but gradu- ally grew so plain there could be no mistake. Dead was the awful word before him. Dead! Dead! The brief message: "Yacht Ora sunk, Silas Ingledee among the dead," could not be mistaken. Its clear, concise, business phraseology seemed almost brutal, "Dead?" he exclaimed again, half aloud, " My son dead! No it cannot be. God surely would not take all I hold dear." He sat for a few minutes, apparently incapable of action or resolution. Then he touched a button, and a messenger came. " Call Mr. Roker." Roker came at once. " Roker, this needs attention. Will you kindly arrange for everything?" Roker read the few fatal words, and replied: "This is dreadful," He looked fixedly at the message for a moment, then glanced at the stricken man before him, and said with as much kindness as he was capable of: " Try to bear this terrible blow, Mr. Ingledee. I will see to every- thing." For three days the great house lay in the silence of deepest mourning. The closed blinds admitted but a dim liglit that left everything in a solemn gloom. Servants glided noise- lessly over the luxurious carpets, and through the corridors. The undertaker and his men performed their duties in silence. Once Mr. Ingledee had gone to look at the features of his dead boy. He stood like a statue gazing at the lifeless clay before him, uttering no sound, speechless, motionless, tearless. The placid features of the dead, which wore a look of repose they never had assumed in life, were scarcely more fixed than the figure of the stricken parent. Then Roker, covering gently the face of the dead, led the father away. There was ordy this man to comfort these moments of extreme anguish. Only this man! And what was he? One who, bearing no malice toward the dead man, rejoiced that he was gone. Could poverty of friendship be more extreme? Could an expiring slave be jooorer than the great millionaire was now? No, a fellow slave would close his eyes for love of a dying comrade. But Horace Roker did his duty faithfully, scrupu- lously, and perhaps in that his superior got all he had any right to expect. He was very rich in gold, very poor in the love of his fellow men. AN IRON CHOWN. 461 Then came the funeral. The turn-out of the moneyed great was very large. The slowly-moving line of splendid equipages was a sight most solemn and impressive. The procession fell in and formed in the direction that it took at the grand ball in the same house once not manv 3cars ago. The long line of handsome carriages represented millions as it wound slowly toward the city of the clead, where millions avail naught, there to lay the hopes of a money king away forever. Horace Roker suggested to Mr. Ingledee that travel might perhaps be the best means of softening his bereave- ment. But the stricken man could not bear the idea of exhibit- ing his grief in public places amid the worry and confusion of travel. He deemed it best to divert his woe-burdened thoughts by engaging in the business of his life. In one week he went to the office a broken man, but still a man of definite and aggressive purpose. He would continue to pile up money for the love of it, and to give himself active employ- ment. There was nothing else for him to do. He could not in his present condition sit' down and enjoy the fruits of his labor, because the habits of a lifetime had unfitted him for the quiet enjoyments and pursuits, that so well become old age. Still vigorous in mind and body, he must give definite employment to his restless activity. There was nothing else to do but enlarge his vaults and gather in a few more bundles of stocks and bonds, to own a few more railroads. Bereave- ment had not taught him the lesson of chaiity, and it would go hard with the unfortunate man who attempted to bar the way of Mr. Ingledee to the consummation of any of his plans. A few days after the funeral Mr. Ingledee discovered among his letters one that gave him a sudden start. It was from his daughter, and read : "Dear Papa: I have heard the dreadful news through the papers. I know you will forgive ine for intruding on your grief when you remember that it is mine, too. I have a right to share it, and I claim my right, though I cannot be with you to join in your sorrow. Papa, try to think every- thing for the best, and ordered by Him who orders all things wisely. Chetta." He crushed the letter nervously, and thought its conso^ lation almost a gibe to his misery. "'Try to think everything for the best.' No, I cannot do that. Why should I, who have the means to gratify every 462 AN IKON CKOWN. wish of a child, have my children taken away, while some penniless beggar is blessed with a dozen or more? I see no justice in it." But his heart softened a little toward his remaining child. It was sweet to think that she still remem- bered him. Had she appeared before him then he would have taken her to his arms freely. The same day he gave the letter to Roker. It would perhaps serve as some clue to her whereabouts in the end. " I scarcely see how," he replied. " There is no address in the letter or legible postmark on the envelope, except the receiving stamp of the Philadelphia office." " At any rate, do what you can, Roker. Hand it to the Detective Agency. Home is the place for her now." "I think so too, sir." Roker undertook this commission very willingly. Death had performed one-half of the work necessary to the success of his plans. It was sudden, awful, and effectual. It startled Roker as he thought of his own guilty wishes, but for this death he was not responsible, and the event was very welcome. He had now only to pursue the other half of the enterprise to a successful termination. He still hoped to be the son-in-law of a railway king. CHAPTER XLVI. AN UNENDING CONFLICT It is again midsummer. Some months ago Alice Nor- well became happy Mrs. Wilson. The honeymoon of this well-mated couple promises to last many months longer, and far beyond the conventional period. May Bryce is again in her distant country home. Wilson and Norwell have formed a partnership and are now about to set out for the oil regions of Pennsylvania, to make some investments heretofore al- luded to. Business was not in a healthful condition throughout the nation. The business men of the country bitterly com- plained of hard times. Thousands of laborers were out of employment, and thousands of employes of the great rail- roads were threatened with a reduction of wages. As Norwell and Wilson passed through Pennsylvania AN IKON CUOVVN. 463 they saw evidences of tlie previiilln<^ distress on every hand. In the coal regions thousands of miners were out of employ- ment and otlier thousands working for starvation wages. The few great coal companies had gradually grabbed and held the fuel supply of a continent, claiming as private property the priceless treasures which God has stored in the earth as the heritage of all mankind. With equal justice they could claim as their own the air and the sunlight. They would gladly tax those, too, if there was any way of fencing them in so the public could not get at them. Here in this region of vast mineral resources was illus- trated again the never-ending conflict between the people and the daring freebooters who would seize the people's rights. It is a contest as old as history, doubtless much older. It be- gan in the days when kings, by " divine right," owned the persons, property, and the very souls, of their subjects. Divine 7-io-ht ! What cruel wrongs and awful deeds of crime have been perpetrated in the name of religion! What wars, what rapine, what sickening oppression! To-day men no longer profane the name of God by calling it to shield their acts of pillage. They take without a pretense, and make no apologies. This contest, begun in divine right, continued during the weary centuries when the sword made right, and slavery was the lot of the vanquished; in the days when Roman savagery slaughtered, spoiled and scourged a bleed- ing world that one imperial city might exalt herself in palaces, revel in luxury, riot in sin, and sink her loathsome carcass in nameless degradation. It continued while the brawling, licen- tious nobility of the later ages decked themselves in silks, velvets and jewels, and a miserable peasantry lived in hovels, more fit for wild beasts than men. It continues to-day when the nobleman of Europe thinks it just that he should own twenty thousand acres of land, while millions of his impover- ished countrymen have none, and when the money king of the new world thinks he should have at least ten millions, which means that nearly ten thousand of his countrymen shall have nothing but rags.* This struggle will end only with the human race. Our own fair land has iscen it fiercely fought, and all the more dangerous to liberty because cun- ningly disguised. Our pirates fly no black flag. They are only ordinary peaceful citizens. They are called gentlemen. » Note 7. — Accumulation of wealth. 464 AX lUOX CROWN. They pose as men of enterprise and public spirit. No one will dispute the enterprise. Their first move against the public is to secure a valuable charter of some kind, authoriz- ing them to build some great public work. This exceedingly liberal charter is granted by ignorant, careless or corrupt legis- lators. And a privilege once granted is a contract which must be held sacred, and so the pirate sits forever entrenched behind the law. He piles up millions, and is now ready to fight successfully all hostile legislation. He is perfectly will- ing to litigate because he knows well the pcnver of money, and the sort of stuff juries and judges are sometimes made of.* He fights his taxes because it is far cheaper than to pay them. The French nobility, by "divine right," were exempt from taxation. The peasantry was made purposely to pay bills. Our pirates levy blackmail by means of a schedule of rates. Overcharges and rebates are a much more genteel way than the old method of springing from a thicket, and levying it at the point of a pistol. It is more scientific, more sweeping in its scope, and more profitable. The highwayman of old could hold up only one unfortunate at a time. The highwayman of to-day bids a whole nation stand and deliver. Meantime the people look on indifferently. They have enough as a rule, and are apparently grateful that our genteel robbers have left us so much. The Roman or the feudal baron left nothing. We have only to wait long enough and, emboldened bv success, doubtless our long-headed princelv thieves will devise means to take all, leaving us nothing."|* It ma}' be urged that this is an exaggerated picture. It is true to history. Man is ever merciless to man, and unfortu- nately republican government has not changed human nature. Perhaps some one fancies he sees here the grisly specter of communism. It is not here. The rights of the people are one thing, the incendiary utterances of conspirators quite another thing. The latter deserve to be severely dealt with when dynamite is their only argument. At the same time, let the millionaire law-breaker receive the just penalty of his crimes. The outrages of the striking miners were to be condemned and regretted. An unjustifiable strike may become a crime when its far-reaching consequences are considered. But what ♦Note 15.— Intimidation of courts. fNote 16.— Untaxable property. AN IRON CKOWN. 465 is to be said of the soulless corporations who drove these men to strike! The scenes of utter wretchedness and squalid suf- fering witnessed in the mining regions, beggared belief and equaled many similar instances recorded in the over-pop- ulated old world. Strong men sat idle day by day, and saw their children cry for bread in a land where the farmer often burns his corn because he can get nothing for it. In hundreds of instances a wholesome meal had not been eaten in weeks. What was the cause of all this sufTcring? Was there no de- mand for coal? Excessive wealth in the hands of the .few had engendered an excessive greed on the part of capital. Thousands of miles of railroad for which there was no im- mediate necessity had been built, greatly stimulating tiie iron trade, and with it the production of coal. The resources of the country were developed far beyond the needs of commerce. As a consequence the great corporations could no longer pay dividends on their inflated capital. The coal companies agreed to limit production, force up the price and cut wages.* Let no one misunderstand the tenor of these remarks upon the abuse of corporate power. It will no doubt be atlvanced by the friends of these rich grabbers that railroads and other great incorporated enterprises are a necessity. This no one denies. Such persons will perhaps triumphantly point to the fact that a large proportion of all the railroads in the United States have gone into bankruptcy, and that others have never paid a dividend."]" This is well understood and not disputed. No attack whatever is made upon the railroad system of trans- portation, nor upon the thousands of hard-working, honest railroad employes. The danger lies not in the system, but in the abuse of it. When it is urged that great corporations pay but a small per cent, on the investment it may be answered that the investment is largely fictitious, consisting of a large proportion of watered stock, .which 'represents no value what- ever, and has been issued merely to conceal the enormous profit on the actual capital.^ When it is urged that railroads are constantly going into bankruptcy it may be answered that such bankruptcy is often an additional evidence that dishonest men are plundering the road. There are more effectual ways of killing a dog than attempting to ghoke him to death with butter. So there are ♦Xole 17. — The Hocking- Valley strike. tNote 14. — Profits of corporations. JNote iS. — Actual cost of railroads. — Example the Mexican National. 30 466 AX IKON CROWN. more effectual ways of robbing a railroad than to break into its vaults by the aid of a dark lantern and crowbar. Fast freight lines and other barnacle devices, extravagant salaries and fictitious expenses, may absorb all the earnings, and leave nothing for the mass of stockholders who arc not on the inside. Another method is to form a combination against the road, refuse to j:)ro-rate with it, cut rates, drive it to the wall, and then al^sorb it into the system. These are only examples of what may be done in that line. Some paid agent of the railroad interest, or some individual who has been riding on a free pass most of his life, will doubt- less say here, with the air of a man who knows all about the subject, that the cost of railroad transportation has steadily de- clined in this country for the last twenty years, and is now cheaper than ever before. Grant it. Well, does not that demolish your anti-monopoly argument completely? Not at all. The railroads now carry for millions, where they once carried for thousands. Doing business on such a great scale they can afford to transact it cheaper. Has not the price of clothing, flour, clocks, dry goods, and, in short, everything else been reduced, too? But our monopoly advocate may say here that trunk lines with difficulty pay expenses during periods of financial de- pression. Let the facts speak for themselves. The New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, probably the best railway property in the world, lately issuetl several millions in bonds for purposes that really should have been provided for out of the earnings. Is the New York Central a poor invest- ment? If it is, why does the man who has for years con- trolled it, William H. Vanderbilt, admit that he is probably tlie richest man in the world? When a business man and private citizen is pinched by hard times he must squeeze through as best he can, or close Jiis doors. The railway king has the impudence to ask the public to be lenient with him because forsooth his great property is not paying very well just now. He issues a few millions of bonds to pay his losses, and those bonds aie an addition to the capital on which the ]jiiblic must pay interest.* A fcxv facts on this question stand out 7mchallenged^ even by the most active apologist of transportation monopolies. , It is a fact that the governinent subsidies to the Pacific ♦.Note ly. — ^^'ho meets ihcir losses. AN IKON CKOWN. 467 railroads were so liberal as practically to give these great highways to the projectors who were mainly impecunious adventurers. // is a fact that bribery was resorted to in order to obtain from Congress such valuable concessions. The Credit Mo- bilier investigation establishes this point conclusively // is a fact that the Standard Oil Company, whose projec- tors had but a few thousands to begin on, became worth mil- lions in an incredibly short time; that they drove nearly all rivals out of business, and completely monopolized the oil trade of the whole country. Their profits are known to have been at one time a million a month. It is a fact that Jay Gould and other Wall Street ope- rators have, by manipulating railway and other securities, piled up fabulous millions in a few years, often greatly unset- tling values and disturbing the financial and business interests of the country by their gambling operations. // is a fact tliat railroad men who reach high places, and control railroad management, invariably grow rich, while nine-tenths of all persons engaged in ordinary business ultimately fail.* // is a fact that the tillable portion of our public domain is about exhausted, having been largely granted to railroads, and that successive Congresses have refused to declare for- feited several large grants in cases where the companies had not complied with the conditions. What is the remedy for all these evils? No remedy will stamp them out entirely. Diseases must exist on the body politic as well as on the natural body. Sometimes they kill the patient. But something should be done nevertheless, in attempting a cure. The following suggest themselves as the most practical measures: 1. Provide by law for a careful government supervision of all transportation by common carriers, and for government control of inter-state commerce. 2. INIake stringent laws for the protection of the purity of the ballot box, and enforce severe penalties for their violation. 3. In the case of the rising generation and future immi- grants, deprive the illiterate of the right of franchise. 4. Reform the jury system, so that juries will not so frequently consist of blockheads and knaves. Then there ♦Note 30. — Where do they get it. 468 AN IRON CROWN. will be at least grounds for hope that all offenders against the law may be punished, regardless of wealth or social standing. 5. Public opinion must make bribe-taking as odious and dangerous as horse-stealing t)nce was. Then corruption in official life will diminish. 6. All intelligent citizens must take an active part in politics, and see that honest, intelligent legislators and incor- ruptible judges are chosen to manage the machinery of State. That machinery ivill nut run itself. Leaving the coal regions sick at heart with the misery prevailing there, Norwell and Wilson proceeded to the oil regions. A new belt had just been opened, and people were rushing to the territory, hoping to obtain in some way, they scarcely knew how, a portion of this oleaginous wealth. A clearing had been begun in the dense forest, and board shan- ties were springing up along the streets in which stumps stood thickly. The whole scene reminded them somewhat of the rapid growth of a mining town in the Rocky Moun- tains. But the picturesque figure of the "rustler" in greasy brown duck, with his pockets full of specimens and his mind full of millions, was absent, and the scene partook more of the activity pertaining to a commercial center. Norwell and Wilson soon found there was no opportunity for making favorable investments here. The great Octopus Oil Company had reached out its slimy arms and enfolded the entire district. It had bought or leased nearly all the available lands. It owned the pipe lines and, in fact, had tlie entire oil business of the country in its remorseless clutch. Several ruined operators told very discouraging stories. One man had invested one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in a refinery at Pittsburgh. The railroads charged him one dollar per barrel for transporting his oil. They charged the Octo- pus the same, but rebated to them half a dollar per barrel. Unable to compete with the Octopus under such extortionate discrimination, — the result, beyond doubt, of conspiracy be- tween the trunk lines and the oil company, — he was obliged to close his refinery and sell out to this hydra-headed, devour- ing monster, which was one of the most daring and unscru- pulous, that ever disgraced this or any other country. This was no isolated case. All the rivals of the Octopus were treated in the same way. Over one hundred refiners were obliged to quit business in Pittsburgh and vicinity alone. AN IKON CROWN. 469 This great corporation, literacy biirstinor with its spoils, even openly defied the State of Pennsylvania, and refused to pay certain taxes.* One of the victims, struggling under the unequal odds granted to the Octopus in the matter of shipments, applied to the ofiices of one of the trunk lines for special terms to large shippers. He received no satisfaction. Then he in- quired if he could get the same rates as the Octopus, provided his shipments were as large* as theirs. The reply was, that the company did not care to carry oil for him at any price. The railroads refused cars, taid the Octopus controlled the pipe lines. As a result, the well owner might let his oil run on the ground, or take the prices fixed by this monopoly. And yet intelligent men will deliberately pooh at the preva- lent dissatisfaction with monopolies, and say it is all "granger talk," or the work of a crank. There is a Latin saying which runs thus: "What can happen to some one, may hap- pen to any one." These things have happened, they may happen again, unless popular vigilance prevents them. Let us not suppose that the liberty won by our forefathers one hundred years ago, and preserved at gi"eat cost twenty years ago, will endure for any time without care. "Eternal vigi- lance is the price of libert}'," and each generation has its duties to perform, its dangers to ward off. Shall we tamely bear this grievous Iron Crown of heavy rails and goading spikes, which a few unprincipled men are placing on our heads in mockery? Shall we be deceived by the essence of royalty because it lacks the name? Pi'ospecting was going on in another district a few miles distant. Norwell and Wilson determined to ride there on horseback, and look at the prospects. Tlie country was \evy rough and thinly settled, the manners of the people most primitive. After riding leisurely along for several miles they came to a fork in the road, and were in some doubt as to which way led to their destination. A log schoolhouse, the relic of a past generation, stood near the road. Norwell rode up to the open door to inquire of the schoolmistress the way to their destination. That young lady came to the door in response to the call, and started back in sudden sur- prise. It was Chetta Ingledee. Note 21. — The rebate swindle. CHAPTER XLVII. THE PITTSBURGH RIOTS. FIRE AND PESOLATION. A RACE FOR LIFE. The surprise of Norwell at tlius meeting his old friend in this wilderness was by no means agreeable. He had often thought of Chetta since her unaccountable departure from New York, and looked on her flight as another of her freaks. He had misunderstood her in the same way that her father had. Her absence had relieved him from his very embarras- sing situation which had daily grown worse, so long as both Chetta and May Bryce remained in New York. As the latter had been absent too, for some months, Tom experienced a sense of relief. It was much easier to make love by mail. The matter could then be postponed when inconvenient. Meantime, May's letters came regularly and she scolded him tenderly if his answers were delayed too long. The men greeted Miss Ingledee cordially, and, as it was just noon, she dismissed her school, so thev could talk freely. At first she appeared embarrassed, but this feeling wore away as she listened with anxious interest to Tom's account of her father, and his changed appearance. She wished to learn more, so she invited them to dinner at the humble farmhouse where she boarded. Here they had their horses put up and fed, and after dinner they indulged in a lengthy conversation. Norwell advised her to return home. She had intimated to him, partly, the cause of the falling out between herself and her father. He urged her that her place was with her fiither now in his loneliness, and ventured the opinion that she would be welcomed home if she chose to go. For herself, she had changed none of her views concerning the Ingledee wealth, but a sense of duty to her father outweighed her per- sonal feelings. Wilson had gone out to the stable with the boy to get the horses. Tom and Chetta had these few minutes' conversation alone. He felt it to be his duty to urge her return, regardless of his own past relations to her. " Miss (470) AN IRON CROWN. 47 1 Ingledee," he said, " your place is at home. We all miss you there very much." "Does any one really miss me?" " Your father is very lonely." Perhaps she expected a different answer, but this was quite sufficien.t, for it showed her her duty. "Are you quite sure, Mr. Norwell, that father really wishes me to go back?" "Yes, he has intimated as much to me. But, of course, you undei stand that he is a proud man, and would probably not make any direct advances toward a reconciliation." "Yes, I know that, Mr. Norwell. I will go." " It is the best thing you can do. You must be very lonely in this out of the way place." "Oh, Mr. Norwell, I have been so lonesome. There is no one here who makes any pretensions to culture. I found it rather novel at first, listening to tlie droll dialect and homely talk of these people, but that soon wore off, and then I was very lonely. I felt as if life had nothing more for me, and the future was all a blank. I could not write to hear from old friends, and for a while I was actually sick. I shall never make light of homesickness again." "I am very sorry that you have suffered," said Norwell. His natural kindness of heart was touched, and there was in his consciousness a sort of feeling that, perhaps, he was not entirely guiltless in this matter. "That is all over now," she said with a little laugh; "I had a hard fight, though. If it hadn't been for books, I should have gone wild. The people here have an old ency- clopedia, left by some relative, and the only one for miles around; well, I think I must have read nearly everything in those sixteen big volumes, commencing with Aard-vark and ending with Zebra. And they are very interesting too." "Doubtless they think you a great scholar here." " They do. They pay me twenty-five dollars per month. That is five dollars more than they ever paid a lady teacher in the summer. But you don't know how glad I was to see you and Mr. Wilson. ^Meeting old acquaintances from New York seems almost too good to be real." " Then I may tell your father all, and say you will return? When, say ? " " My school closes here in three weeks. I could not think of giving that up, and disappointing these people." 472 AN IRON CROWN. The horses were led up to the gate, and Wilson offered his hand to say good-bye. Then Norwell took the hand he had so often clasped. Her heart was beating tumultuously, in spite of her efforts to appear perfectly calm. She took his hand and retained it for a second, then turnetl quickly to con- ceal her feelings, and with a hasty good-bye, ran into the house. When Norwell and Wilson returned to the little village of rough board shanties that evening, they learned that the great strike of railroad men had at last begun. Telegrams were passing on the wires incessantly, repoiting its progress at various jDoints. Next day they continued, announcing that the strike was rapidly extending all over the country. At many points there were serious indications of riot. The mili- tia had been ordered out, and United States regulars were embarking for the scenes of disturbance. Some of the rail- roads had suspended all freight trains, and, in some cases, pas- senger trains were not allowed to go through. Norwell and Wilson started for Pittsburgh on tlie second day of the strike. Arriving there without interruption they found the excitement intense. Dispatches poured in from all parts of the Eastern, Central, and Western States announcing the progress of this, perhaps, the greatest strike in history. Fifty thousand railroad men had struck. The criminal classes, burglars, thieves, pickpockets, and vagrants, were taking advantage of the prevailing disorder, and pursued more boldly their dangerous trades. They only waited for an outbreak till the}' could pillage openly. Riots had already taken place in several cities, though, fortunately, with very little bloodshed. The Governor of Pennsylvania was absent on the Pacific Coast. Telegrams had been sent urging him to return instantly, and he was now on the way, flying eastward by special train at the rate of forty miles an hour. General Hancock had ordered a detachment of United States troops to proceed westward from Philadelphia. A regiment of Brooklyn militia was slowly working its way westward on the Erie railroad from New York City. A regiment of Philadelphia militia reached Pittsburgh to aid the local force. Against these strangers there was an intensely bitter feeling. In a street affray tlie soldiers had fired into the crowd, among which there were thousands of respectable citizens. The excitement grew until a majority of the people were intensely incensed against the great corporations. The AN IRON CROWN. 473 Octopus Oil Compaii}^ was denounced in the most severe terms, and talk was fieely indulged of burning its vast prop- erty scattered all over Western Pennsylvania. The city of Pittsburgh was in a dreadful situation. She was exposed to the vengeance of an excited mob, consisting of thousiinds of determined men, some with grievous wrongs to redress, others secretly rejoicing at this sudden and unex- pected prospect of pillage. The community momentarily feared a horrible outbreak. All the materials for a tremen- dous explosion wei"e at hand; the train was carefully lajd; it needed only a spark to ignite it, and that spark soon fell in the fatal spot. The feeling against the militia grew hourly. A detachment of them was fortified in the roundhouse. It was suggested to burn them out. No sooner was the word dropped than thousands of throats took it up. " Roast the butchers," was heard on every side; but it was no boys' play to approach within close range of those rifles. The crowd was eager for the work of destruction, and the great depot was fired by the frenzied mob. The fire spread rapidly. The lurid flames shot high in air, while dense masses of smoke from burning coal and oil cars settled over the " Smoky City," giving its already soot-darkened atmos- phere an almost funereal blackness. The fire licked up the long rows of freight cars on the side tracks with its great, red, hissing tongue, like a living, hungry thing. It spread to the sheds and freight houses, which curled, crackled, grew white hot, and disappeared like card board before the fiery blast. It gnawed into the very earth, and ate out the buried oaken ties. The heavy steel rails of the track tv/isted and writhed under their fiery baptism, and curled into fantastic shapes, like wriggling serpents. The lurid flames, the blind- ing, suffocating smoke, the blistering heat, the crash of falling buiklings, and the derisive shouts of the maddened mob, all formed a scene that was truly infernal. The crackling flames and intense heat drove the people to a respectful distance. Thieves were busy pillaging cars that had been broken open. Costly goods of every description were carried off by the armful, by these wreckers. Heavy articles were left to be consumed by the rapidly advancing flames. The fire department was helpless. Men caught the bits of the horses while the mob cut the traces and left the engines standing useless. The frightened horses reared and plunged, firemen swore, women screamed, and the mob yelled in triumph. 474 -^^ IRON CROWN. The police were useless; to interfere only involved the danger of sacrificing life in vain. And still the volcano of flame rolled steadily heavenward with a leaping and crackling and hissing that was most ajDpalling. A city on fire is a sight more awful than any convulsion of nature, unless it be a great earthquake. The unfortunate militia cooped up in the roundhouse had already suflered greatly under the burning July heat. Now they were in danger of being suffocated like a wild beast at bay in his den. Though at a distance of several hundred feet from the burning depot the heat could be plainly felt through the glass of the windows. The smoke was suffo- cating. Threats of burning them out were freely made. Several flaming cars of oil and combustibles saturated with petroleum, were shoved down the tracks toward the doomed building. But fortunately the fire did not spread in that direction, and the roundhouse was safe, for nobody cared to venture under the grim muzzles of several hundred rifles. A cannon loaded with spikes and bolts was now trained on the building with the intention of battering it down. But the besieged were so vigilant that the piece was not fired a single time, though halfa score of dead bodies strewn around it next morning testified to the bravery of the mob and tlie horrors of that night-attack. Prudent jieople wisely I'emained in- doors as far as possible. A portion of the mob, consisting of those who had nothing to lose and envied all who possessed property, were growing insolent. A carriage was greeted with hoots of derision. A broadcloth coat and silk hat were pretty sure to receive insult. Several individuals who were indiscreet enough to wear these very palpable evidences of aristocracy (in the eyes of the mob) narrowly escaped vio- lence. Thousands of people were at the corners of streets and wherever a good view of the great conflagration could be obtained. In these crowds there was the usual arnount of talking, bantering and discussion incident to an excited gath- ering of all kinds of people. The mob now consisted of many in no way identified with the railroads or the strikers. Some sympathized with it, others denounced it; some of this street discussion was good-humored, some of it loud and angry. Norwell and Wilson stood in one of these groups at a distance of several blocks from the center of the mob. Sud- AN IRON CROWN. 475 denly an uproar was heard. There was loud shouting and a movement in the crowd. Then an open carriage dashed rapidly up the street. There were loud shouts, " Hang him," " Down with the old robber," " Swing him up,", " Stop the carriage," and so forth. The frightened driver lashed his terrified horses to full sjoeed up the incline over the hard, cobblestone pavement. As the carriage passed Nor- well he recognized its occupant, who sat bolt upright and looked defiance at the people in this hour of danger. It was John Ophir, the great railway king. Ophir had been out on a trip inspecting some of his railroad property and had been delayed by the strike in Pittsburgh. With his usual daring and disregard for public sentiment he had determined to see what the mob looked like. But unfortunately for him the illustrated papers had made his face well known to the people all over the country. Some recognized him. Instant!}' the cry was raised: "Ophir, Ophir, hang him! lynch him!" As the carriage came directly opposite the spot where Norwell and Wilson stood, two or three strong men sprang into the street, seized the bits of the horses, and at great risk succeeded in stopping the animals. The driver meanwhile plied his whip furiously and accompanied the blows with savage oaths. The horses plunged antl tried to escape from the men, the mob shouted and all was confusion. While the attention of the people was directed to the struggling men and horses, Ophir jumped from his seat to the ground, darted through the door to a narrow passage between two buildings and disappeared. Norwell and Wilson sprang into the pass- age, shutting the door and bolting it behind them. Some on seeing this latter move cried out, " There they go," " Stop the villains." Ophir, reaching the alley in the rear turned, seeing that he was closely pursued, and recognized Norwell. " My God, Norwell, is it you! Have mercy. Would you see me torn up by that savage mob? Spare me and I will make you a rich man." " Silence!" said Norwell, " this is no time to talk by-gones. We will try to save you. Here! Change hats." Quick as thought Norwell seized Ophir's glossy silk hat and placed his own soft crush hat on the other man's head, jamming it down over his eyes. " Now, run for life! Out at the far end of the alley! Quick!" Ophir needed no second bidding. Though unused to vio- 47^ AN IRON CUOWN. lent exercise, he made exceedingly good time through the alley. Norwell gave Ophir's silk hat a fling over a wall out of sight. "Now, Wilson, run for it." " But they will hang you sure if they catch you." " Better one than two. Think of your wife. Go! I'll get out some way. Through by that store there is a way of escape." He shoved Wilson toward the door, which was but a rod away. W^ilson darted through the board fence into the rear yard of the house and quietly appeared on the other street in a few moments, by a passage similar to the one by which they had entered the alley. Meanwhile the mob having no means at hand of breaking down the door by which Ophir had escaped, poured through a narrow cross alley and appeared in the alley where Norwell was, in a direction opposite to that by which Ophir had escaped. Norwell, bareheaded, walked leisurely back, meeting the pursuing crowd. " Here he is," rose in an angry shout. " Bring a rope." The leaders of the mob closed around Norwell to seize him. He quietly backed against the fence and said: " Don't be in a hurry. I'm here when you want me." " We want you right off, I guess,"said a big man, " and now we've got you. Where's the rope?" " It's coming," exclaimed a second. " Hadn't you better get the right man before you hang him?" " Captain, I guess you are the right man. That's what they said on the street, any way. You are one of them cursed millionaires that's bleedin' the life out o' the poor people with your railroads and oil companies and other devil- ish schemes of robbery. We've got you an' we mean to keep you." " I am not the man who was in the carriage." "Captain," said the spokesman of the mob, "you'd better spend your time prayin', fur I reckon this is about your last chance." A rope had been obtained somewhere and it was proposed to lead the prisoner into the street and hang him to a tree. The alley was now full of men shouting, struggling, and all trj'ing to get to the front to see what was going on. Nor- well remained cool though he realized the extreme peril of his situation in the hands of a frenzied mob, wlio could not be expected to listen to reason. Resistance was worse than useless. He must try to get them to listen to him. AN IRON CROWN. 477 " I tell you I am not the man you are looking for. Gen- tlemen, for God's sake, listen to me. You won't hang a man without giving him a chance tor his life, will you? I am not the man who was in the carriage. " Oh, you're not, ain't you," exclaimed several voices, derisively. " No, I am not. I can convince you if you will only listen." "Give him a chance." " Let him sav what he's got to say," rose from the crowd. The American people are pre- eminently a people who love fair play. In this mob were some who, above the passion and excitement of the moment, were determined to see fair play, and let the prisoner tell his story. " I saw that man jump from the carriage and I followed him through here," said Norwell. " But I guess he must have got through the alley." " You guess so," sneered the big man who acted as ring- leader of the mob, " We want facts now. If you are not the man, where is he? " " I don't know where he is. But I stood on the corner there for half an hour before the carriage came up. Did nobody here see me? " "• That's pretty d — d thin," exclaimed one ruffian. " Hurry up boys. Let's string him up," cried another. Two men seized Norwell rudely to lead him away. His case was apparently hopeless, for without additional evidence he could make no impression on that excited mob, who, like blood- hounds, panted for their prey. Two men, who, mounted on a box got a good view of Norwell, now called out that they had seen him standing there with a friend before the carriage came up. That was certainly corroborative evidence, and the mob fell back a little. Norwell now continued: " I can tell you just who the man was you wanted. It was John Ophir." The crowd jeered at the mention of Ophir's name. Some of the later arrivals who had heard the lirst hue and cry, confirmed this statement, for they were present when the people had first recognized Ophir down the sti'eet. This man clearlv was not Ophir, and there was nothing to do but release him. " Mighty ticklish business for you," said one. " Close shave," said another. The big man said, " No offence, I hope, Captain? " " All right, boys," said Norwell, " but I advise you to 47S AN IKON CROWN. find out whether a man has committed any crime or not before you hang him." Then Norwell walked into the street with that feeling of intense relief known only to those who for a brief space have stood face to face with the con- queror of all conquerors, the invincible foe, death. Next day the riot was suppressed, but the destruction of property had extended over a territory three miles in length. The militia imprisoned in the roundhouse were released after a perilous experience, and by a forced march on that fatal Sunday, escaped to the country, with a loss of several killed and wounded. The destruction of prop- erty amounted to several millions. One hundred and twenty- five costly locomotives lay useless in this wild wreck. Only blackened, smoking ruins marked the scene which had lately been the busy center of travel and commerce. Vast quanti- ties of property had been stolen by the thieves. The dis- reputable classes had disgraced the cause of the honest strikers, who began the movement for the redress of their wrongs. One rich booty escaped them through their igno- rance of its value. In one spot the railroad track was covered by a vast sheet of whitish metal that looked like lead. When the burning cars had burst under the weight of metal molten by the intense heat, a silvery fountain had poured across the track and run down the gutters, mingling with the ashes and parched dust of the street. Thousands of feet had crossed and recrossed this shining mass which soon became a dirty color scarcely distinguishable from the soil. Norwell and Wilson happening along stopped to look at this metal coating that covered the ground. Wijson stooped and picked up a spray of the mass that had run into a little channel. He looked at it eagerly for a moment, then called Tom's attention to it in a low tone. " Do you see that? " he asked, pointing to a bright scratch he had made with his knife. " Yes, lead." "Lead!" Then lowering his tone so as to make sure that no one could hear him, " That is silver bullion, every ounce of it." " What!" exclaimed Tom in astonishment. " Sh! I've taken many a bar of it out of the old Amazon. There's at least half a million here in the street." And so it proved to be. A car containing silver bullion had been burned, and the mob tramped over the precious mass thinking it lead. CHAPTER XLVIII. MR. MALLEY COMES OUT IN STYLE. A MASKED BALL. ATALANTA VICTORIOUS. The Wilsons purchased an elegant home in a fashionable part of the city, though their house was comparatively modest compared with the residences of some of their wealthy Fifth Avenue neighbors. They had bought and furnished a place, keeping in mind the real comforts that may be derived from judicious use of wealth, rather than any factitious appur- tenances that appeal only to the eye. There was nothing lavish, nothing bizarre. True, it was the home of a million- aire, but every detail of the interior indicated that it had not been the owner's design to advertise the fact that he was a rich man. As soon as they were comfortably settled in their new home invitations were issued for a reception. Mrs. Wilson was careful to invite all those with whom she really cared to continue acquaintance, and beyond this number invited, as is nearly always the case, a few persons in payment of outstand- ing social obligations. Among these latter were the Snickers. Miss Harrie had readily accepted the invitation. Since the giver was a millionaire no other questions need be asked. It was settled around the Snicker family altar (as to which altar see a previous chapter) that it was altogether the proper thing to know the Wilsons. The Miss Norwell, whom it was not proper to know because she could not give parties, was now the Mrs. Wilson whom it was eminently proper to know, because she could give parties. In the midst of her rich and fashionable company, Mrs. Wilson did not forget the humble people whom she had known when she was poor herself. .She specially favored them by allowing them to come when they pleased, without the inconvenience of a full dress exhibit. She sent "at horrie " cards, among others, to Mary Hackett and Aunt Rhoda, and to Mr. Pipe Malley. The latter gentleman was slowly (479) 4S0 AN IKON CROWN. rising in the world, with increasing prosperity. lie wore better clothes, and persistently attempted to improve his speech and manners. Though he was not an extiaordinary young man yet, only those who have been what Pipe Malley the newsboy was, and have afterward risen in life, can realize what the true self-made man has to encounter in his struggle with the world. To rise unaided from poverty and ignorance to eminence, requires abilities little sliort of genius. Mary Hackett came and brought Aunt Rhoda with her. The old lady who had never been in a fine house in her life, took a childish deliglit in examining the furniture and talking about it. She gave a start as she sat down on a great, velvet- cushioned, easy chair and found herself sinking into it too far, she thought. She leaned back, and her surprise ended in u cracked little squeaky scream, as she thought herself going clear over backward. She chose a plainer, steadier chair rather than trust herself to that " plaguey tiltin' thing." The old lady gazed with admiration approaching awe on a rich velvet- covered sofa with delicate designs in light colors, and beauti- fully carved woodwork. She could not be persuaded to sit on it at all. " It's too fine, Mrs. Wilson, for my old clothes to tech. It must o' cost a sight o' money." " Two hundred dollars," answered Alice. " We had to have a few nice things, Aunt Rhoda, to show company." " I want to know! Two hundred dollars! Land sakes! I've heard father (she pronounced the a in father very flat) tell how he started when he was married in Vermont seventy years ago. He had five dollars in money, that he laid out in dishes an' pots, an' mother hadn't a last thing but a bed an' a kiverled. My! but isn't that pretty!" she exclaimed as she gazed on the sofa, and gently felt the soft, yielding cushions which she was afraid to press very hard lest they should never recover their full outlines. " Isn't it pretty, Mary?" " It is very beautiful. Auntie." " Mary, I've saved something all these 3'ears for you. When 3'ou marry, 1 can't git sich fine things foi' you, but I won't have it said that my child hadn't a >ingle thing to start housekee2:)in' with." "Never mind that now. Auntie," whispered Mary. Ancf so Aunt Rhoda spent an hour looking with childish wonder at the elegant things in this fine house, which was to her a new world. AN IKON CKOWN. 4S1 When Mr. Pipe Malley called to pay his respects, he was dressed as he supposed, well up toward the top of the fashion. He wore a li<^ht-colorcd tailor-made suit (the first he had ever possessed constructed to order), new boots with very square toes and very lively squeak, nobby stiff hat in the latest style (the first of its species which had ever adorned his head), and a very glossy standing collai*. He had carried a silver watch with a rolled plate chain for so long a time already, that he no longer considered those articles of utility and adornment as strong points in his make up. Mrs. Wilson received Mr. Malley with cordiality, and in- troduced him to her husband. Pipe, who felt that he was now about to wrestle with some of the most intricate problems of etiquette, was on his mettle for the occasion. But many a doughty warrior who has trodden his enemies under the iron heel of war, has fallen before that skilled adversary greater than himself, etiquette, who pierced his armor with a subtle shaft, while the boast of victory was in his mouth. It is not strange then that Pipe Malley fell at the very first volley. He committed the humiliating blunder of calling Wilson " Mr. Malley," as he took the host's hand, saying: " Happy to know you, Mr. Malley." He had rehearsed this scene over and over at home, picturing to himself the social triumph he was about to achieve, and this was the mortifying result. He blushed scarlet with mingled humiliation and anger at his own awkwardness. But the host and hostess soon put him at his ease by their cordial manners. Pipe had taken the big easy chair. Unlike Aunt R hoda, he had no misgivings on the score of its land- ing him heels over head backward. Under pretense of mov- ing, he stealthily teetered in it to see how far he could sink into the velvet}', yielding seat. The conversation was spirited, though for a time Mr. Malley got his verbs and subjects at hopeless variance, and flung adjectives and pronouns round in wild confusion. But his speech improved, as he grew more self-possessed. Alice asked him about his mother. " Oh, she's first rate. Mother's pretty stanch for an old lady." " You have a brother, I believe," said Wilson. " Yes, we're twins." By dint of jDcrseverance and after many signal faiiuies Pipe had learned not to put himself in the plural as twins, and was trying to have Quill achieve the same accomplishment. Notwithstanding Pipe's persistent 4S2 AN IKON CIIOWN. efforts, Quill had not yet mastered this nice distinction of lan- guage, and occasionally delivered himself of the statement: " Fm twins," when the subject of relationship was brought " How is your brother? He works with you, I believe?" " Yes, Quill works for the firm. Oh, he's tip- top, thankee; nothin' ever ails Quill." Mrs. Wilson asked Pipe about business. " Well, it's tolerable, not exactly rushin'. Oh, business is all cut up, but we're doin' an' improvin' business, an' I call that something." " That is a great deal, Mr. Malley." " We've moved, Mrs. Wilson. We've got four rooms now instid o' two. I says to mother, ' Mother, I don't care a cent for style, but I do like solid comfort.'" Then glanc- ing around the room, he continued: " You folks have got a pretty slick lay out here, I tell you what." Mr. Wilson smiled very perceptibly, till a look from his wife seemed to curtail in some degree the dimensions of his mirth. He replied: "Oh, 3'es, we shall contrive to get along. Mrs. Wilson believes in solid comfort, too." Soon after Mr. Mailey took his departure, highly pleased at receiving an invitation to call again, and bring his brother. For the latter he apologized, saying that Quill didn't "go much on society." Pipe Malley went home, feeling exceed- ingly well pleased with himself and toward the world in general. The future was very bright for him. He was pros- perous financially and socially. With a calling acquaintance on Miss Ingledee and the Wilsons, he should like to have any one dispute the fact that he moved in good society. Miss Ingledee had also called on Mrs. Wilson, and the call had been duly returned. These exchanges of courtesies had been conducted with punctilious formality. They gave recognition to the fact that an acquaintance existed between the two ladies, and they indicated still further what both were not likely to forget, that no special friendship existed between them. The ladies were studiously polite, and each expressed a wish that the other might call again. And they were not hypocrites. Neither had a thought of deceiving the other, for it was evident they understood each other. Again May Bryce is in New York. She stops most of the time with her very dear friend, Mrs. \Vilson. The Prairie AN IKON CROWN. 4S3 Flower is no longer the happy girl that we first knew on whose fair face had never rested the shadow of a care. She has grown more womanly, more thoughtful. The rosy cheeks are a trifle thinner and paler. Her eye appears almost unnatu- rally bright, and the white has a pearly luster. Tom Norwell says she is prettier than ever, and she believes it because he says so. But a careful observer might not coincide in the lover's roseate statement. Mrs. Bryce might think difFereiitly, for what eye is like that of a mother who holds her child dearer than all other earthly things. Mrs. Wilson, whose heart goes out toward her best friend, can see in May's face the evidences of troubled thoughts, of something that ap- proaches care and anxiety. May's love has not brought the perfect happiness that most girls expect to find in this delightful phase of their experience. The views of romantic young ladies are too exalted, for noth- ing in this world is perfect, and even love falls short of per- fection. The months have slowly crawled into years. Her lover is neither hot nor cold. He is very gallant, very kind, very procrastinating. She does not doubt him, because he has told her thev will be married as soon as he makes a little more money, though that time seems now as far distant as ever. Meantime, the rose is fading from her cheeks and the welling spring of happiness that once overflowed in her heart is slowly subsiding. She can only wait and hope. Mrs. Bryce has long felt secretly anxious about her daugh- ter. She even wished to have the engagement broken oflf at once, but Mr. Bryce thinks her fears groundless. His faith in Norwell remains unshaken, and he predicts that every- thing will come out all right yet. They agree, however, that May is not strong, and that perhaps another visit in the East might do her good. Having particularly cautioned her sister and Mrs. Wilson that May must be well taken care of, Mrs. Bryce consented that she should again go to New York. Her father had leased the farm for a term of years, intending to travel and take a little enjoyment for awhile. The old folks had' planned for themselves and May a ti"ip to Cali- fornia to visit a brother of Mr. Bryce's, but to their surprise. May preferred to go East instead of to the Pacific coast, "Well, Mary," said Mr. Bryce, "you see why the child prefers to go to New York. John's folks would all be stran- gers to her, so let her have her own way." Thus it was settled, and now three thousand miles separate the parents from their child. 4S4 AX IKON CKOWN. Miss De Furrier had concluded to give a masquerade party. A masked ball is a little out of the ordinary course of events. To the thousands who have never participated in such an affair, it is a decided novelty. But, really, there should be no novelty about it. Life is for many a continual masqueiade. Nature has given to most of us two faces, one for the world to look at, one that we dare not look upon ourselves. It is a truism to repeat that the sinner often wears the mask of a saint w hile doing the devil's work. In fact, there is un- questionably an eiToneous idea prevalent concerning the make- up of the latter personage. Instead of being got up chiefly in horns, hoofs, tail and a very forbidding countenance, his majesty, beyond doubt, knows the latest style and dresses in it. His raiment is of the best, his politeness perfection, his smile most affable. He moves in good society, frequents the fash- ionable resorts, keeps right up with the times, and is, in short, a devil of a good fellow. It was a most facetious wag who clothed the devil in horns and an odor of brimstone. The fiilse friend wears the mask of sodality, lifting it be- times to wag the tongue of slander. The traitor often wears the mask of friendship closest after he has sold you, and has the money in his pocket. The ingrate wears the mask of in- jured innocence while repaying benefactions with neglect. The coward, too, flaunts the lion skin and swings the club of Hercules, a most comical antic, when tlie presence of real danger would cause his frightened little soul to cower trem- bling in its darkest corner. With this perpetual masquerade of real life going on around us, there would seem to be little occasion for any artificial bal masque, even as a diversion. It would afford as much entertainment to a thoughtful person, and far more profit, to enter any large assemblage, and study the every- day masks of the people there. Here is a gay gallant mak- ing himself agreeable to a finely-dressed, beautiful woman. What is his second face behind the first? What does she conceal beneath so fair an exterior? Here is a man who makes conspicuous the fact that he is a very honest man. Perhaps he paints on his mask the sign, " Square dealing." What lurks behind that specious outside? Here is a serpent in the guise of a man pouring honeyed words into the ear of a foolish, unsuspecting girl. There, under the very fashiona- ble mask of respectability, promenade Misery, Want and Death in the person of a millionaire brewer or distiller, who AN lUON CROWN. 485 has built a towerinor pyramid of wealth on the poisoned bodies, ruined souls and bli<2,hted homes of his fellow-men. Be very courteous to him. lie is respectable. Shun his victim, the rechng, besotted drunkard; he is not respectable. Miss De Furrier had not invited " everybody," for she disliked a crush, and this was a party for enjoyment. Many of our old acquaintances were present, among them Miss Ingledee, the Wilsons, young Mr. Brownell, who, strange to say, was not abroad, Mr. Frederick Snicker and Miss Snicker, Miss Bryce, Mr. Roker, Mr. Ilickley and others. Obedient to her mother's advice. May was not going a great deal into society, but she wishecl very much to see a masquerade, and so accepted this invitation. It was indeed a brilliant sight to behold the gay maskers in costumes that represented the people of nearly evei'y age and nation. There were kings, queens, knights, warriors, pages, savages, shepherds, historical characters, mythological personages, and a host of miscellaneous damsels and young men in every imaginable conceit of mask and costume. Arthur Wilson personated an officer of the Continental army, Mrs. Wilson a lady of the same period. Miss Snicker tripped lightly as a fairy. Fred Snicker was a knight in armor, and looked very formidable in coat of mail, helmet and greaves. His legs perhaps did not fill the latter as well :is might have been desired, but his manly breast heaved under the influence of stays and plate armor in a most heroic fashion, that looked almost "abwupt." Tom Norwell at- tracted a great deal of attention as a " rustler," clad in brown soiled duck, with belt, knife and pistols of formidable pro- portions, rocks in his pocket, and a pick on his shoulder. Miss Bryce was a flower girl, Mr. Roker a haughty Span- ish cavalier of the sixteenth century. Miss Ingledee attracted general attention in a classical flowing costume with sandals, bow and quiver, and a laurel wreath on her head. At her side during the grand march around the saloons was a beau- tiful greyhound, — a decided innovation on such occasions. Many were the guesses as to whom this huntress personated. Most of them were in favor of Diana, but the big grey- hound set the guessing all at random. She evidently was not a conventional Diana. The greyhound symbolized swift- ness, the laurel victory. She was Atalanta Victrix, the swift- footed maiden of old. A few days before Mr. Roker had banteringly suggested 4S6 AN IRON CROWN. to her that they o;o as a classical couple, mentioning Pyramus and Thisbe and Pygmalion and Galatea. Miss Ingledce did not choose to adopt the suggestion at the time. Still she had selected a classical subject. Mr. Roker might now, if he chose, play the role of Meilanion, if he dared to pit his craft against her elusive agility, on the usual conditions thnt he should lose his head in case he failed. At least three persons in the room recognized Atalanta Victorious. The haughty Spanish Cavalier knew her, the hroad-shouldered Rustler could never mistake that figure; the heart of the modest Flower Girl sank as she saw before her the form of the rival whom she feared. That rival appeared before her in the garb of a conqueror, and took her place m the grand march as proudly as the Roman general rbde amid the splendors of a triumph at the head of his hardy legions preceded by the spoils and the unhappy vanquished. May shuddered as she thought that perhaps the simple character assumed by herself compared with the bold one of Atalanta, might typify her own situation in comparison with that of Chetta Ingledee. She tried to laugh off the disagreeable thought, which was very foolish, but it persisted in returning unbidden, like an importunate but disagreeable suitor. When she saw the Rustler offer his arm to Atalanta, and take his place on one side, while the beautiful greyhound walked at the other, then her heart sank, and her unpleasant thought became a presentiment. There was no more pleasure for her that evening. In silence she took the proffered arm of a jolly monk of the Middle Ages, and joined the gay proces- sion which, in spite of herself, she imagined as a funeral pro- cession marching slowly toward her own grave. At this gruesome thought she shuddered so violently as to surprise the Jolly monk, who inquired if she were ill. The evening seemed interminable to May, and she felt a great relief when the festivities drew to a close. Horace Roker was still disposed to play the cavalier, and after the uimiasking was very attentive to Miss Ingledee. Norwell noticed that his Prairie Flower was unusually taciturn on the way home. In reply to his question how she had enjoyed herself the answer was simply that she thought most of the parts very well performed. She had not a word as to her own enjoyment, and he thinking her tired, relapsed into silence also. May retired that night very nervous and dejected. She AN IRON CROWN. • 4S7 lay thinking for an hour or more. Sleep was impossible. She rose, lighted the gas, and read over for the third time a long letter from her mother. As she perused that descrip- tion of the tropical beauties of Southern California, with its luscious fruits and winter flowers, she longed to be there with her dear parents, far away from the anxieties, worry, and artificial glitter of this great city. A sense of utter loneli- ness came over her, and burying her face deep in the pillow, she wept like a child. By degrees her troubled thoughts grew calmer, and she felt as if she could sleep, ^ut try as she might, slumber would not come. Her busy brain ceaselessly wove all sorts of incongruous images, which blended themselves in unending variations. She tried to devise some plan by which she could surely keep her lover all to herself, but each scheme for a moment seemed practicable, and the next moment very absurd. Again and again the grand march passed before her eyes, close them as she would, and she shuddered as a fleet- ing fancy suggested a hearse at the head of the procession. She grew vexed with herself and tried to reason herself into a calmer state. This pandemonium was the height of absurdity. By an effort of the will she would bid it cease. But it would not cease at her command. It was very foolish to attach any importance to Norwell's selecting Atalanta as a partner in the march. It was the right of any gentleman to select any lady before unmasking. But why had her lover's eyes been keen enough to recognize Atalanta among all these people in such a variety of costumes? Why had he not preferred th^ Flower Girl? Her heart grew sick as she thought of the possible answer. After weary hours May fell into that restless mental con- dition tl'iat is neither sleeping nor waking. She was conscious that she was not asleep, for her brain still wearily wove fleet- ing shreds of indistinct ideas into absurd combinations, and yet she was not awake, for she was no longer fully conscious that she ought to go to sleep. After an indefinite period of this wearying mental condition she woke with a start, and sat bolt upright in bed. " What do you want?" she asked in alarm. There was no answer, and she saw by degrees in the indistinct light that no one was in the room. She had clearly seen standing by her bedside Atalanta Victorious in an atti- tude of scornful triumph. In her first alarm she thought of calling Alice, but on 488 AN IRON CROWN. reflection concluded it was best not to do so. She would have to explai.ion was her own inference rather than a legitimate deduction from anything the doctor had said. Mrs. Wilson remained secretly anxious, and was on the point of speaking to Tom about it a half dozen times, but her husband uniformly advised her not to engage in such a delicate aflair until there seemed a necessity for it. The oidy real tiouble that May acknowledged to herself, was the fact tliat her lover's conduct continued inexplicable. He still called often; he was still devoted ; he sometimes alluded to their engagement, but he seemed no more disposed to have the wedding day fixed than at the time of their betrothal some years before. Sometimes she took what she called a "foolish crying fit." Was it any wonder that this gentle, affectionate girl, separated from parents, without brothers and sisters, with- out a single intimate friend of her own age and sex, alone in a great city, in spite of the bustle and gayety around her, should at times feel inexpressibly lonely and desolate? She could not seek relief from her doubts and fears by confiding them to her lover. She would not, for the world, have him know that she had any such doubts. When he noticed her serious, thoughtful expression, now grown habitual, she as- AN IRON CROWN. ^97 sured him that she was a woman now, and not so giddy as she used to be. Neither could she confide in Alice fully without censuring her lover. Once in her anguish of soul, she ex- claimed to Mrs. Wilson: "Alice, I can't tell why, but I feel as if we never shall be married. Something dreadful is going to happen." " Poor dear, you mustn't feel so. You are nervous. Things will be all right yet, I'm sure." But Alice did not feel the confidence she expressed. She suspected Tom, and blamed him. Such conduct she thought inexcusable. Her heart went out in sympathy for her patient, ill-treated friend. May took the note, and recognized that it was in a woman's hand. She also noticed that it was unsealed. A great temptation assailed her. She would like to read it. She blushed with shame to think that she had been guilty of any desire to read her lover's private correspondence. She laid it on the mantelpiece in the parlor and sat down again to the book she had been reading. Soon she laid the book down and again looked at the note. Her heart was beating wildly. She glanced round hastily, no one was near. She trembled like an aspen, not entirely at the culpability of the comparatively trivial act she was about to commit, but at the fear that she might really discover something terrible within that plain white envelope. On second thought she felt justi- fied, for was not her own happiness, her very life, in truth, at stake? She opened the letter and read its brief contents hastily. It stabbed her to the heart, but she did not shriek out. She did not go into a frenzy of passion or a paroxysm of weeping. She realized that a sacrifice was demanded, and all she could do was to prepare herself. It was a sacrifice that would profit no one and break the hearts of her fond parents. She folded the note, not knowing what she did, and placed it back on the mantelpiece. For a few minutes the unhappy girl seemed unable to think. She sat down in a chair, mur- muring to herself, " False, false, and I loved him so much. My presentiment will become a realit)'." Then she rose and walked slowly and painfully up the broad stairway to her own room. The effort seemed to tax her energies. She sat down, gasping for breath. "How could he be so cruel?" she mused. " I would have died for him." Then she threw herself on the bed and burst into tears. Dinner was now ready, but she could never go down to meet 49^ AN IRON CUOWN. him. A servant came to tell her they were waiting. She excused herself with the plea that she had a very severe headache. She rose, and was bathing her face in cold water when Mrs. \Vilson came up. " May, are you not coming down to dinner? Tom has come." " No, I do not feel able. Please excuse me." " Shall I send you up a cup of tea?" " No, nothing, thank you." They dined without her, and the occasion was not a cheerful one. The evening wore away, and still May did not make her appearance. Tom Norwell sent his love up by his sister, and then May remembered that she had not told them of the note. Alice came down stairs and handed it to him. He seemed surprised at its cpntents, but merely retnarked: " An invitation for this evening. It comes too late, however." Chetta Ingledee was disappointed that Tom Norwell had neither called nor answered her note. She concluded that perhaps he did not think it pressing, and would come at his leisure. She felt sure, however, that no time was to be lost. She was confident that there was trouble ahead, and she would warn her friend at all hazards. That afternoon she went down town and inquired for Mr, Norwell. He hap- pened to be in his private office and she was shown in. "Good-afternoon, Miss Ingledee. • Take a seat. I must apologize for not answering your note sooner. I received it too late to answer in person." "Too late! Why, I gave it to Quill Malley about one o'clock, to be delivered at once." "He delivered it at Wilson's about half-past three, and by mistake I did not get it till after nine." "That is very strange." " What can I do for you. Miss Ingledee?" " I came to speak on a matter which is not exactly busi- ness, and yet" — here she paused. Norwell assured her that he was at her service whatever the matter might be. "I don't know," she continued, hesitatingly, "that I should speak at all, for I may be mistaken. Of course, what I say is confidential." He sat looking at her greatly puzzled, but made no reply. " There is going to be some kind of move in the stock market, I think. Protect yourselves." AN IRON CROWN. 499 "Oh!" This little interjection expressed a great deal. Norwell was surprised that the expected revelation was so insignificant and was moreover a little hurt to think that a woman should come in that way to advise the firm of Nor- well & Wilson. His feelings were something like those of the man who sees the woman at his side attempt to take the lines when the horses get frightened. He secretly resented the proffered assistance. " Miss Ingledee, we are always looking carefully to our interests. I think we have our business in very good shape." " That may be, but you know, Mr. Norwell, that there is a great money power all around you, and money is merciless." " Very true. We shall observe any unusual movements." " I do not know much of such things, but T surmise there is some great movement afoot. I say it in confidence. I could tell no one else. Now you cannot be surprised." " I thank you. Miss Ingledee, very much for your trouble. It is very kind of you." She saw by his tone that he did not thank her at all. She rose and left, conscious of having done her duty by her oldest, dearest friend. She thought of her father, too, but the thought of him in nowise shook her belief that she had done right. But her good intentions had not been well received. She saw plainly that Norwell resented her well-meant efforts in his behalf. She left the office convinced, as she never had been before, that Norwell had never really loved her. Her pride revolted at the humiliation she had endured, and she resolved to forget him. Tom Norwell could never be any- thing to her again. As Chetta left the office, John Wright entered. As we have seen, Norwell had become acquainted with him through Little Hackett. He was shown into the private office. He wished to inquire of Norwell, with whom he felt a sort of confidential relation, whether he had better sell out a certain holding of railroad stocks in which his little savings were invested. A friend of his who had a cousin in a broker's office had by that means heard a rumor that stocks of all kinds might suffer a decline. " We will sell for you any time you wish," said Norwell. " Your stock is here in the vaults. We will give you that if you wish it." " I don't hardly know what to do," said Wright, hesitat- 500 AN IRON CKOWN. ing. He had attempted something of which he was entirely ignorant. He was alarmed about the result, but utterly powerless to foresee consequences or avert them. He had done a dangerous thing. The man who puts himself wholly into the power of another has placed a rope around his own neck. He lias done as foolish a thing as that man on board a burning ship who loans his life preserver. Wright's little all was at stake, and he was anxious. The alarm of the ignorant and the lowly is more sudden, more clamorous, more unreasoning than that of the worldly wise. " Do you want your money, Mr. Wright?" " I can't say, sir. How much is it now?" " If you sell now your two thousand will bring you twen- ty-five hundred." " To lose it would ruin us all. It would kill Sarah, I think, for most of it come by her. Mr. Norwell, what would you do if you was a poor man in the same fix?" " Mr. Wright, it is hardly our duty to advise. We simply follow orders. If you say sell, we sell. I have told you just what you can get. If \'ou say hold on, we hold on." " I hardl}' know what's best," said Wright, as he rarT his fingers through his whiskers incessantly. A prolonged period of operating in stocks would certainly have left him whis- kerless. " Do you want my opinion on the future of that stock?" " I'd be much obliged," replied Wright, as he pulled out an unusually long whisker and drew it nervously between his thumb and finger, watching it curl, then straightening it out, only to subject it to a more vigorous curling. " I think that the stock will not go lower, and is very likely to go higher." "Then I'll leave it in, if you say so." " But really, Mr. Wright, I don't say so, you must decide for yourself." This was like asking Wright to decide a disputed point in Hindoo philosophy. He gave his beard another raking that threatened to devastate one side of his face, and help- lessly ejaculated: " Well, I don't exactly know what's best. Still you ought to know best, and sence you say so, I guess I'll hold on to it." " It's only my opinion, understand." " Well, maybe I'll decide by next week, an' I'll drop in AN IRON CROWN. 50I an' let you know." Then he passed out, with precious little more ease of mind than he had when he entered. At the door he hesitated, turned round, looked in, then looked across the street, then looked in again, and placed his hand on the door knob, and finally left, :ill in doubt as to what he should have done, and half regretting that he had not done differ- ently. The speculator seldom takes his ease on a bed of roses. CHAPTER L. MR. ROKER SPRINGS A MINE. When important information was to be obtained at all, Horace Roker usually had it. He had known for several days that some of the great money kings, including his employer, were about to make a raid on certain stocks, and that the bulls and bears of Wall street were to engage in another set to. Mr. Roker had quietly invested a large sum of money on his own account. He was already a rich man, and rapidly growing richer. He knew now, almost to a cer- tainty, that Chetta Ingledee was inimical to her father's interests, although the intercepted note which he had read was so very vague in its terms. He determined to watch this affair carefully. If he suc- ceeded in detecting anything that savored of treachery on the part of the young lady toward her father, he would accom- plish an important object. If he were the first to make it known, he might, perhaps, avert a domestic explosion, and at the same time furnish a very convincing proof that some dis- position should be made of so dangerous and insidious a foe. In such a contingency, he thought there would be little diffi- culty in securing the active co-operation of Mr. Ingledee in that long cherished matrimonial scheme. Nothing was more natural than that Mr. Ingledee should advance the interests of the man who had so carefully looked to the interests of Mr. Ingledee. Roker set about the delicate and difficult task of finding out, if possible, what Chetta Ingledee had told Tom Norwell. As a first step, he would carefully sound Norwell under the 503 AN IRON CROWN. guise of business, as to whether the firm had disposed of cer- tain stocks that were to be raided. With this design, he called at the offices of Norwell & Wilson, and had a rather pro- tracted interview with Tom Norwell himself. Tlicse two men had always been on speaking terms, though neither liked the other. Norwell thought Rnker a schemer, though never suspecting half his duplicity, and resented his attentions to Chetta Ingledee, even while admitting that he himself hail no right to stand in the way. On the other hand, Roker hated Norwell as a dangerous rival. Norwell was polite, but not communicative. After con- siderable adroit maneuvering, Roker felt satisfied that if the firm had been warned they had not profited to any extent by the information. Then he hazarded another step by inquring carelessly : " By the way, Mr. Norwell, have you seen our friend Miss Ingledee lately r " Norwell looked at him curiously for a moment, and then replied : " I do not see Miss Ingledee often of late. Perhaps you could give me information concerning her. I hear you are rather attentive in that direction." " Well, yes, I am on a friendly footing there." " I suppose I may congratulate you then? " "No," disclaimed Roker," hardly that yet. Sometime, per- haps." Roker felt that he was on dangerous ground, and that any confidential communications between Chetta and Norwell would place him in a very humiliating position. But he had no fears now of any understanding between them, and since Norwell was off the track it was best to shunt him comj^letely into the ditch. " Since congratulations on such occasions are in order," continued Norwell, " I suppose the young lady is to be con- gratulated too." " What am I to understand by that insinuation?" "Speaking plainly, I mean that she is too good for you." " Indeed! It is very kind of you to say so." " She is a warm-hearted, noble woman." " So much the better for the man who gets her. I sup- pose, Mr. Norwell, you think I am incapable of appreciating such qualities, since you are so good as to intimate that I lack them myself." "I intimated nothing of the sort, but since you admit it, AN IROK CROWN. 503 Mr. Roker, we will agree that you do lack them. You ought to keep your selfishness to yourself instead of imposing it on others." Norwell was plainly losing control of his temper in allowing himself to be dragged into such a conver- sation at all. His bitterness of feeling, however, originated in a generous Impulse, for since he could not marry Chetta Ingledee he would like her to get a husband who was worthy of her. It was Roker's turn now to make a terrible retort. His long pent up resentment was no longer to be restrained, and he, unfortunately, was prepared to inflict a terrible blow. " Mr. Norwell, since we are bestowing confidences, and speaking plainly, you will pardon me if I allude to some events in your own history. You have called me heartless, and I shall not deny it. Now what do you say of the man who leads a young, confiding girl on step by step till she loves him? teaches her by degrees to love him better than her own life and then deliberately inflicts upon her the most cruel suffering which the human heart is capable of experi- encing, the pangs of jealousy and neglected love? What is such a man? Is he heartless?" Norwell had listened in astonishment to what seemed like a revelation. "Roker," at length he said, in evident distress, " you are mistaken. People may have talked, but I never led Miss Ingledee on." "Mr. Norwell, stop and think. Is that man kind who wins the heart of a gentle, unsuspecting girl, a girl who is as pui'e as an angel, and who devotes her very life to the man she loves, and then deliberately trifles with her love till her poor heart turns to ashes, and the fountains of life run low — is that man kind?" " My God, man! What do you mean?" " I mean May Bryce." "No! No! It is false! I have never done this. I love her truly." " Then you have committed one of the greatest wrongs man can commit against woman. You have repaid devotion with indifference and neglect." "It is false. I love her still." " Then why do you delay marrying her? " " Mr. Roker, if you will excuse my saying so, that is my own affair." " It is not your own affair. If you ever intend to marry her you must do it at once." 504 AN IRON CROWN. "What do yoii mean?" inquired Norwell anxiously. " Do not keep me in suspense." " Can you not see for yourself that the rose has faded from her cheek, and the elasticity from her step? Your betrothed has only a few months to live." " Oh God!" exclaimed Norwell, springing from his seat. " Is it so bad as that? I kno\V she is not strong. No, Roker you are trifling with me. This is a most cruel anil cowardly revenge." Great drops of sweat stood on the forehead of the imhappy man. Roker could not have inflicted a more sudden and awful revenge on his rival. Even his cokl heart seemed to soften in this hour of triumph. He said in gentler tone, though every word was a knell in the ear of the unhappy man before him: " Norwell, I have spoken the truth. Your betrothed has but a short time on earth. Go to her. Comfort her few re- maining days, for only j'ou can do it. If I misjudged vou, I beg your panlon for it." " God forgive me, has it come to this; I thank you, Roker, for telling me this. No it can not be. You are mistaken. Oh, how blind I have been. Why didn't you take your revenge sooner? I thank you. But," he exclaimed with the energy of a sudden hope, " I'll save her yet. She must not die." "I hope she may recover full health," said Roker, as he quietly took his hat and left the office. Norwell closed the door and sat down to think. This cruel blow had been so quick and dreadful that it inflicted the keenest pangs of mental agony. He saw the terril')le conse- quences as pictured by Roker. He could not realize how they had been brought about. By degrees his ideas grew clearer. Little by little the mist that obscured his mental vision was withdrawn, and he saw distinctly just as one sees through a slowly-dissolving fog the form of a great ship which at first is only a spectral craft; the outline of the sails may be detected first; next the masts, and finally the whole view, ship, sails, masts, sailors, all stand out in the clear light, one j^erfcct pic- ture. Norwell understood now, with painful distinctness, things which had passed unnoticed before, or which had puzzled hi in. He saw clearly why May had so often brought up the subject of their wedding day. He could not understand why AN IRON CROWN. 505 one so young should display what seemed to him such unnec- essary anxiety, and wish to hasten the auspicious day. There was plenty of time, for hoth were still young. His sister's hints concerning long engagements were very plain now. The slight loss of ilesh and the brilliance of the eye that he thought only enhanced the beauty of his beloved, now had a new and terrible meaning. They were only the visible marks of an insidious, deadly disease. Her remark once made in their sweet confidence that it would kill her to lose him, sud- denly flashed across his mind in its true and terrible sig- nificance. In an agony of remorse he groaned aloud: " It may be too late. How cruel I have been. I have crushed the life out of the beautiful flower I promised to nourish." Then hope, which springs forever in the human breast, came to his relief. " It cannot be too late. I will marry her at once, and happiness will bring her back to health. No, it cannot be so bad. Roker is mistaken." Wilson entered to consult his partner on important busi- ness, but found to his surprise that Norwell could not talk business. He would suddenly start and ask his partner what he had been saying, and then relapse into an absent-minded condition. Wilson told him that there was a decided down- ward tendency in some of the stocks of which they had large holdings. Would it be best to sell before the decline was serious, and avoid dangerous contingencies? Norwell finally remarked that he did not feel well, and should go home for the day. He told Wilson to do as he pleased in the matter, and abruptly left the oflice. Wilson, unwilling to act alone, waited for further consultation with his partner. May Bryce, after the evening on which she had read that fatal note, had been ill from the effects of the intense nervous strain to which she had been subjected, together with the del- icate condition of her health that was rapidly approaching invalidism. Mrs. Wilson was alarmed, but concealed her own fccirs, lest she might, by exposing them, make worse the condition of the unhappy girl. After reflection there had gradually sprung up in May's mind a deep indignation at the treatment to which she had been subjected. She resolved, at first, never to see her un- worthy lover again. She sat down to write to her mother, explaining everything, and asking money to take her to Cali- fornia where she could pour out her sorrows and receive the 506 AN IRON CROWN. sympathies of fond parents. But she had not penned half a dozen lines till she saw how impossible was her task. Her revelation would only break the hearts of her father and mother. Then her own womanly pride revolted at the idea of revealing the base deception of her adored lover. She could not do it. She tore up the letter, and went to her only adviser, Mrs. Wilson, for consolation. As May laid her head gently on the shoulder of her friend, she longed to confide all her sad troubles. But pride again saitl no, and besides, Alice would be very angiy with him. She was already making excuses for him, and hoping there might be some mistake. She would give him one more opportunity to explain if he sought it, Alice caressed the head that leaned upon her, as a mother would stroke the head of a child. To her eye this gentle, fading young creature grew every day more and more like a child. " My dear, you are not well. You are feverish," " I am so weak. The least exertion makes me tired and short of breath," " I heard you coughing again this morning. Do you take your medicine regularly?" " Yes, but the cough does not disturb me much, if I only was as strong as I used to be," " May, you must take better care of yourself. You are not happy. You are worrying about something, Tejl nie everything." The tender blue eyes drooped, but she said nothing. " You did not come down to meet him yesterday evening. Is there anything going wrong? Is it a lover's quarrel? Tell me, dear," Again that weary head sought the support of that sympathizing friend. The broken spirit sought relief in a flood of tears, " There now, don't cry, child. I'll make it right. I'll give him a good talking to." " I think I shall go to my aunt's," " That is not best, deai". You know there is no company there, and you get very lonely, besides Tom — you must stay here." The latter argument was sufficient. She would give him one more opportunity. " You had better go and see Dr. Barnet again to-day," " I'll do anything you wish if you will not speak to him yet — not just yet." " I shall not speak without your permission." May again consulted the Doctor. She had no heart to do AN IRON CROWN. 507 anything. She answered his questions in a listless, indifferent way as if she cared little whether she lived or died. She be- trayed no fear; he could not discover that she felt any. She did not ask anxiously, as patients sometimes do, whether he could not cure her, and could he not give her a sure cure, as if a doctor could save life. He was thoroughlv puzzled, but, as usual, drew the veil of professional secrecy closely around his treatment. He was astonished at the rapid progress of the dreadful disease, which he saw at first had obtained a dan- gerous foothold. The temperature was high, the pulse quick, the cheek hectic, the breathing difficult on slight exertion. And yet there was no severe pain anywhere. The disease had made in a few days the progress which usually required weeks. The mental apathy of the patient greatly puzzled the doctor. It was in direct contrast with that hopefulness which usually to the very last cheers the sinking victim of that fell destroyer, consumption. The doctor prescribed some medicines; one of them was to relieve the cough which in a few days had rapidly grown troublesome. He prescribed light, nutritious diet, and urged the necessity of rest and quiet. He recommended riding out whenever the weather was fine, and urged the necessity of mental quiet. She asked him whether he would recommend the climate of California. After a moment's reflection, he re- plied in the negative. In truth, May was thinking all the time of her lover, and not of her own condition. The old fear she had of consumption when a young girl, was entirely gone. It was swallowed up in the new fear that, she might lose him, which to her was a calamity more terrible than death. Norvvell, on leaving the office, went directly to the house of his brother-in-law, and inquired for Mrs. Wilson. Alice met him in the parlor, and knew at once there was a crisis of some kind in his affiiirs. " What is it, Tom?" she asked breathlessly. " Alice, Roker has just told me that May is ill, very ill. Is it true?" « I fear it is, Tom." "Why didn't you tell me sooner? How blind I've been, how heedless, how brutal." " There, Tom," she said kindly, "that is useless. Be calm. Let us talk rationally." " But I have," he persisted. " It is too late to remedy the past. The future is all we 5oS AN IRON CROWN. can look to now. Brother, forgive me for speaking plainly. The time is past for evasion of a painful subject. I blame myself that I have not spoken sooner. Are you ready to choose between Alay Bryce and Chetta Irfgledee?" " Why, sister, I chose long ago." " Have you always been true to that choice?" He hesi- tated for a few moments, then said slowl}*: " No, I have not. I have been a coward, and hesitated. I deserve only her scorn and contempt." « Do you still hesitate?" " No, I decided long ago. Does she doubt me?" he asked, anxiously. "Does Miss Tngledee know this?" asked Alice, evading his question. " She knows that there is nothing between myself and her." " Then go to May, tell her all, beg forgiveness, and make her happy." "Does she doubt me?" he asked again. "Tell me, Alice. Tell me the worst." " Tom, you have been indeed blind; she is dying for you. It is only in these few days I have been seriously alarmed. I fear we are all to blame." He broke out into another storm of self-reproaches, but Alice calmed him till he was in a rational mood. " You must not excite her, Tom." Just then May entered, having returned from her visit to Dr. Barnet. Tom was shocked at the change in her during the very few days since he had seen her. The wasted feat- ures and languid step sent a chill of terror through him. " May," he said, simply, " I have come to ask forgiveness. I have been very thoughtless, very cruel. If you despise me for it, say so. I deserve it all." Her breath came quick. She tottered and would have fallen had he not caught her in his arms. Alice had disappeared. He looked fondly into those clear blue eyes as she murmured: " Tom, do you love me still?" " Yes, darling, and only you." The color came to her cheeks and the old light of love into her eye. Tom Norwell thought his Prairie Blossom had never looked so beautiful. He used the old epithet of endearment. "Little Prairie Blossom, how could I be so unkind?" AN IRON CROWN. 5O9 She smiled the old winning, trusting smile of the days before doubt had poisoned love, and answered gently: "Don't speak of it, dear. I'm very happy now." But his mind was still filled with a great, terrible fear. Carefully he approached the subject of her health to relieve his anxiety. She laughed away his fears for the time. " I have not felt so strong," she said, " as I used to in the country. But I am better now. I shall get along very well, I think." Then hope grew strong in him again. CHAPTER LI. FACE TO FACE. LOVE S APPEAL TO LOVE. — MR. QUILL MALLEY EXHIBITS ALARMING SYMPTOMS. On the next day Norwell and Wilson went to the oflice earlier than usual. The latter had learned through his wife the cause of his partner's strange conduct on the previous day. Now that Norwell was again himself, Wilson hail informed him of the dangerous condition of their affiiirs in the case of a crisis. Toward the close of the day before, many stocks had tumbled rapidly, and People's Telegraph was in particular literally slaughtered. Wilson had relied on Ophir to hold up the market on the latter stock, but that gentleman was either unable or unwilling to do so, &i- wished it to go lower, no one, excepting Mr. Ophir himself, could tell exactly which. That day the markets opened with a downward tendency and things began to look very bad for the firm of Norwell & Wilson, whose liabilities unfortunately were heavy and largely matured, while their assets in the shape of a vault full of securities were melting away with fearful rapidity as values declined. The street was wild with exciteirient. Small dealers were going to the wall. Heavy institutions were taking every possible precaution. The firm of Norwell & Wilson might by throwing their securities on a declining market realize enough ready money to save themselves from bankruptcy, but the sacrifice would be enormous. Somebody was plainly " milking the street." In his extremity, Norwfll determined to appeal once 5IO AN IRON CROWN. more to Ingledee. Wilson did not think that any help could be expected from that quarter, hut Norwell still hoped that his long acquaintance with the family might count for something. Mr. Ingledee was an attentive listener, but not disposed to step into the market for the purpose of saving others. He preferred to let his own stocks take their chances rather than risk hundreds of thousands to aid a friend. He argued that since Ophir, Chrysolite and others were on the other side it would be madness for him to attempt to enter the markets against them. Then Norwell knew what he might have known at first, that such men count friendship as nothing when weighed against gold. " But will not your own properties suffer severely, Mr. Ingledee, if you do not protect them?" " My railway properties are too valuable to suffer any permanent depreciation in value. As I own my holdings absolutely I can afford to see them decline twenty to thirty points without any uneasiness. They are sure to rally, and I lose nothing whatever." The fact was, that Ophir, Ingledee and Chrysolite had entered into a conspiracy to produce a panic, slaughter prices and transfer vast blocks of certain coveted stocks from the small operators to the great money kings. Norwell, see- ing that nothing could be expected from Ingledee, went back to his office in despair. Things looked very black on the street. Bankers and brokers were hourly closing their doors. Men in despair rushed hither and thither frantically, seeking aid, which they could obtain only on the most exorbitant terms. From one to two per cent, per day was paid for the use of money. Still these wily fishers sat in their offices and with grim satisfaction, hour by hour, slowly drew the fatal net a little tighter round their struggling, terror-stricken prey. Like inquisitors of old, they smiled while their victims writhed under the torture. The demon that is in man is a part of his very nature; successive ages only change its form. The sword is no longer the emblem of the god of rapine; instead, the dollar sits exalted while busy criers call from dome and minaret, " Bow down and worship; I am the great I Am." Norwell and Wilson went home that night with heavy hearts. Unless a favorable change took place next day they must close their doors and face utter ruin. Affairs were discussed at the dinner table anxiously, but no favorable indi- AN IRON CROWN. 5I I cations coukl be discerned ahead. May Bryce seemed affected by the news least of all. She was so happy in the new-found knowledge that her lover was all her own to have forevermore, without any perplexing doubts or dire forebod- ings, that she scarcely cared for the threatenings of impend- ing poverty. She forgot all Dr. Barnet's admonitory advice, and for a brief time was again the same simple-hearted, happy maiden of her girlish days. She deceived herself and all of them with this sudden elasticity of mind and body. Bidding her lover a fond good-night, which he had stamped with a brace of sweet kisses, she retired to rest. She was too happy to sleep. Her cough troubled her, too, though, strange to say, she thought little of it, and was scarcely conscious of a slight pain in the chest that accom- panied it. She thought over the trouble in which her lover and his partner were. She wished she could do something to aid them. Suddenly she thought of Chetta Ingledee. Now that May knew she had finally triumphed over that danger- ous rival, she no longer feared her. Instead, there was a feel- ing of sympathy for the one whom she believed had been so grievously disappointed. May thought of Tom's interview with Mr. Ingledee, and formed a sudden resolution. She would go to Chetta and throw herself on the generosity of her former rival. She would plead for Tom and procure Chetta's intercession with Mr. Ingledee in favor of the firm who were so sorely pressed. May thought to herself, " If she ever loved him as I do she will do so much for him." She was so happy in discovering this plan, the success of which she never doubted for a moment, that her excited brain refused to seek the sweet repose of sleep for a long time. Next morning the plan recurred to her on her first awaken- ing. It still seemed good, though somehow the healthful light of day made it look different from what it appeared during the darkness of the night. It admitted of some doubts now. Daylight is a capital sieve to filter moonlight fancies through. May strove to make out a breakfast on a poached egg and some toast, though with very little appetite. Then putting on her cloak she slipped from the house and started directlv for the splendid Ingledee residence on Fifth avenue. She gave the name " Miss Bryce " to the servant, and was shown into the parlor at once. In a few minutes Miss Ingle- dee came down and greeted her visitor politely. There was 5'- AN IRON CROWN. a curious look of inquiry in her eyes as she welcomed the caller and asked about her health. " You do not look so strong as usual, Miss Bryce." "No, I have not been in my usual health lately, but I think I am improving now." Chetta was astonished at the change which had taken place in this beautiful girl. The rosy flush of health had vanished from the cheeks once so plump, but now pale and sunken. The complexion was very pallid except a bright snot on either cheek. The pearly luster of the bright e3'e was unnatural. The quick breathing might have been the result of excitement, of vigorous exercise, or of disease. " Have you not walked too fast? Shall I ring for some wine?" " No thank you, Miss Ingledee. I feel a little fjiint, that is all. I have walked some distance, rather fiirther than usual." Then there was an awkward pause. Miss Ingledee knew at first that this girl had come to her with a purpose. What that purpose was she could not divine, but it must be in some way connected with a subject neither of the women cared to discuss with the other. Behind her courtesy there lurked the old dislike. This was natural. She believed that May Bryce had stolen her lover. All would have been well had not this fair-faced stranger come between them witii her good looks and artless ways. She never once blamed the man. She could not forgive the woman. This stranger had taken her lover; what more did she want? Had she come to exhibit her triumph? May was the first to break the silence. It was a difficidt matter to approach the object of her visit. There were things hard to think of and much harder to speak about. But she had come, ready to make any sacrifice of her own feelings; to do anything consistent with womanly dignity and honor to save her lover. In spite of herself she could not control her emotion, and spoke with a painful catching of her breath: " Miss Ingledee, I have come to ask a great favor of you for one who — for a friend. I know you are generous and I trust, magnanimous." Chetta bowed only in reply and waited. "■ Your father is very rich and very influential. Could you intercede with him and get him to use his influence for — for some one ?" " Miss Bryce, speak plainly. To whom do you refer, and what is it you wish ?" AN IRON CROWN. 513 " I mean Mr. Norwell," was the low reply, which cost an effort. "And what do you want me to do for hiniF'' " Perhaps you don't know, but his firm is in great straits. If your father could only do something." " I am powerless." '' Please do not say that, Miss Ingledee," plead the anxious girl. " You cannot- say that. I know how good you are to every one, and you must be kind-hearted. If there is anything in the past" — she stopped short; she could not mention that. Chetta Ingledee rose with an angry gesture and walked to the window. This mention of the past had brought up all her own secret wrongs. It steeled her heart instantly. " You speak of the past. What have I to do with the past ? What are Mr. Norwell's affairs to me.? Ask your own heart; you know best." " Forgive me, Miss Ingledee, for alluding to it.. I meant no offense," said May in alarm. "Only think of your station and the good you ma}- do." "And how," exclaimed Chetta, with a passionate vehe- mence, " can you come here with triumph in your heart to ask such a favor of me? Do you come to taunt me?" For a moment passion- had got the better of this high-spirited woman and she felt ready to crush and humble her rival. "Miss Ingledee, Miss Ingledee, you mistake me. I was thinking only of his interests. Let us forget all that has hap- pened. Think only of what you would do for any human being whom you could save from ruin." "I cannot save him." " Your father can do everything. Will 30U speak to him? Will you try? Only try. Z^o say that you will." Theplcvid- ing face of this stricken woman was piteous to behold. It touched the heart of Miss Ingledee, and she replied in a gentler tone: " It is useless now. It is too late." "Too late! Is that all your answer? If you had ever really loved' him it would never be too late." " Love!" ejaculated Chetta, scornfull}'. " And do you come here to give me lessons in love? When you have lavished a lifetime of love on one object then speak, and not till then." Thrown off her guard for a moment by the sudden recollec- tion of her own bitter disappointment and this imputation on the genuineness of her love, Chetta Ingledee had betrayed her 33 5H AN IRON CROWN, secret to her successful rival. She rose and turned away ini- patiently, to conceal her vexation. "Forgive me, Miss Ingledee, I was wrong and unjust." " Love! What do you think is the meaning of love? What couldyoti do for him ? What saci ifice could j'ou make ?" "I could die for him," answered May, with a pathos that struck to the heart of the haughty woman who stood indig- nantly before her. "I can do more than that, yes, more than that, Miss Ingledee. Only help him, save him from ruin, and I will — yes, I will give him up to you." She dropped at the feet of Chetta and went into a fit of hysterical sobbing, that was pitiable to hear. Chetta raised the weeping girl tenderly, and placed her in an easy chair. May breathed so hard that she was for a moment alarmed. " Tiiere, Miss Bryce, say no more. You hardly know what you are asking. I fear we have both been talking non- sense. Let us be rational." " Then you ivi'/l help him ?" said May, as an angelic smile shone through her tears. " Miss Bryce, I have told you the truth. I would save him if I could for your sake, and for the past," she added with an effort. " liut I can not help him now. My father," she said, lowering her voice, " would not permit interference in such a thing." " You are his only child. Don't you think you could per- suade him?" " I can do nothing. It gives me pain to say it, but he is a merciless man. And probably he could do nothing now if he would. Had Mr. Norwell listened in time all would have been well. I wfote him asking him to come and I could tell him something." "Was that what you wanted to see him for?" Then May stopped suddenly, realizing instantly that she had disclosed a secret. " Oh dear, everythiHg seems to go wrong in this world." Chetta noticed May's surprise at this reference to the note and her uneasiness. She knew something had gone amiss, but could not guess what. She tried to soothe the suffering girl, for whom she now felt a tender pity. " All things are in the hands of Him who orders all wisely; we can only wait. Calm yourself, or you will be ill. Why, how feverish you are!" she exclaimed, as she felt May's timples. " You must have some lefreshment. I will have a lemonade made." AN IRON CROWN. 515 " If you please, thank you. I am very thirsty. Chetta then sat clown beside May and talked to her kindly. She thought how unfit this simple country girl was to struggle with the dangers and difficulties that constantly beset life's pat h- way. Her feelings of anger and jealousy had turned to com- ]:)assion for the poor creature before her whose life was fast ebbing in this fruitless struggle. May drank the cooling lemonade and ate a small cracker. " You are very kind, Miss Ingledee. I thank you very much." " Miss Bryce, I wish I could do all you ask. But do not be downhearted, things may he all right at last." " We can always hope." Chetta sadly remembered that on one subject there was no longer even hope for her. She ordered the coachman to get out a carriage and sh6 took May home tenderly bidding her adieu as they parted. •~ Chetta next ordered the man to drive directly to Pipe Malley & Co.'s store. There was some mystery connected with that note of hers to Norwell, and she was determined to find out what it was. She had been pained at his treatment of her when she called to warn him, and was mystified by May's evident distress on allusion to the note. Quill Malley happened to be alone in the store. He replied to her greeting with an awkward attempt at politeness. His usual bashful manner in the presence of ladies seemed to be intensified this morning. He glanced furtively at Chetta's face when she entered, but did not meet her steady gaze. As an excuse he emploved himself with some fictitious arrangements imder the counter, then turned his back and sorted oranges busily. She talked pleasantly, waiting for him to get through and look up which he seemed in no hurry to do, as he answered from time to time without turning. At last she began: " Quill, I wish to ask you a question." Then he ceased work, and came and leaned over the counter, but began tracing figures on a sheet of wrapping paper, leaning his'head so as to hide his face. " Quill, did you deliver my note the other day as directed ?" " Pipe sent me on a urrint. /couldn't help it," he replied, putting himself on the defensive instantly. " Of course you couldn't help the delav Where did you take it- then?" "I took it to Norwell's &. Wilson's office. He wasn't 5l6 AN IKON' CROWN. in, so I took it up to his partner's house. He told me to do it." Quill said this in an injured tone as if he had already been accused of a grave crime. "Who told you to take it up there?" « Wy, Mr. Wilson, of course." " That was proper. Whom did you give the note to ?" *' To a girl 'ut come to the door." "A servant?" «' No, that light-haired girl that Mr. Norwell goes with sometimes." " Quill, you have been very careless," she replied, with a tone of displeasure. " How'd I know she wasn't to be trusted. Y' ought to sealed it." " Wasn't it sealed ?" she asked quickly. " Naw it wasn't," replied Quill, with a vague suspicion that his defensive tactics had betrayed him into saying too much. " She may have read it, thinking there was an answer?" " I dunno. I tell yer I seed nobody read it." Mr. Mal- ley's actions now assumed those of the highly injured indi- vidual. The last interrogatory had touched an exceedingly del- icate spot, not in his conscience, for that rested pretty comfort- able on ordinary occasions, having learned to take cat-naps on duty, but in his fears, the region of which was subject to peri- ods of abnormal excitement. It behooved him to strengthen the position at once by a good round lie. " Somebody has read it. I asked you to deliver it to Mr. Norwell personally. You did very wrong, Quill." " Now how do yer 'spose I could help it if somebody read it. I tell yer I seed nobody read it. Hope I may die if I did. Honor bright, wot's the use o' bein' so hard on a feller when he's doin' the best he kin!" "Quill," she said, in a strange yet not stern tone, that he never heard her use before, " I trusted you. You have been careless, and mischief has been done." She turned to go. " I'm awful sorry. Miss Ingledee. I hope it wasn't per- tickler." " It zvas particular, Quill, but there is no helping it now. Be more careful in future." Quill's sorrow was to be understood in a modified sense. He did not regret particularly his act of treachery irt itself, for it was a matter of business. But he did regret that it could AX IKON CROWN. 5iy not have happened with some one else than his teacher, whom he really loved. He was sorry that he had vexed her, and his regret was considerahly magnified hy the possibility tliat he may have lost a good friend who had many times helped him, and was willing to help him much more. He reflected rather gloomily that he perhaps had for a paltry sum in hand sold his expectations of obtaining many times that amount. He was a little uneasy, too, lest she might somehow find out that he had shown the note to Roker. Then if any trouble grew out of it Quill was sure to get his share. Quill's experience of the morning had a depressing effect on his spirits during the day. He neyer once executed a break- down in the little back storage room to the edification of a young man who kept a peanut establishment on the sidewalk, and dropped in occasionally to indulge in gymnastic per- formances during the intervals between serving customers. He abstained during the entire forenoon from eating, a thing beyond precedent, and which the observant proprietor took as an infallible indication of serious bodily ailment. Figs, raisins and nuts had lost their charms for Quill, and he passed by the over-ripe bananas, four for five cents, with a look of self-denial that would have done credit to an anchorite. Strangest, most incredible of all, he carefully washed his hands and face twice during the forenoon in an apparent fit of abstraction. Whether this may not have been a deliberate and violent penance on his part will perhaps never be known. All this strange con- duct was carefully noted by Pipe, who finally could no longer restrain his curiosity to know the cause of such unaccountable proceedings. " Quill, what's the matter with you to-day. Yer actin' awful funny. Ain't you sick?" "Sick nothin'," was the crusty reply. "You must be sick yerself." Pipe was, indeed, sorely puzzled. At dinner time he mentioned this unaccountable conduct privately to his mother. Together they were still unable to solve the problem. Quill's a[)petite seemed to hold out in spite of the dangerous symptoms at the store. He dispatched for dinner two plates of browned beef and potatoes, bread in proportion, two cups of coffee, a dish of cabbage slaw, two big apple dumplings, and a few minor accessories. The theory of a disease based on a loss of appetite was abandoned as untenable. Mrs. Malley asked, after Quill had eaten for some time in absolute silence: 5lS AN IRON CROWN. " Quill, honey, what's the matter with you; are you sick?" "Matter? \Vot d'ye see the matter? Do I look sick? Giiniiie s'inore beef an' potater." Then he relapsed into silence again, plying his knife and fork viciously by way of protest against this distasteful insinuation of poor health. CHAPTER LII. TRUE UNTO DEATH. The crisis in the monetary center of the republic has run its course and done its terrible work. A few men have won the millions which the many lost. A steady stream has flowed into the coffers of Messrs. Ophir, Ingledee, Chrysolite and a few others, who happened by chance or otherwise, to get on the right side of the market. Smaller concerns li^ve closed their doors in a score of instances. The important house of Norwell & Wilson has been obliged to suspend after suffering tremendous losses in the heavy decline. An angry mob sways to and fro in Wall street near the offices of Ophir and Ingle- dee. Ominous threats are occasionally heard, and a trivial in- cident might incite a terrible riot. A large force of police is in readiness to quell any disturbance. Occasionally the names of Ophir and Ingledee are coupled with threats of violence, but the day wears slowly away, a drizzling rain sets in, and the crowd gradually disperses. But the men who have suf- fered most, heed not the lowering clouds and the chill rains. Fires of hate and revenge burn fiercely in their bosoms beyond the power of the steady dripping rain to quell. Those who have lost by the failure of Norwell & Wilson crowd up the steps of the building, block the sidewalk, try to peer through the closed shutters, and clamor for admittance. They ciowd the policemen who try to keep the sidewalk clear, and stubbornly refuse to move on. Bovs and idlers add to the throng, and indulge in ill-natured or jocose remarks accord- ing to their mood. But, for the crowding, anxious, haggard men who have lost perhaps the savings, of a lifetime, there is but one thing possible. They stare at the ominous word "Closed" 'with straining eyes again and again, as if, by some possibility, they hoped to discover that they had read it wrong, AN IRON CROWN. 519 that the doors were really open, and the firm paying all their creditors in full. On that modest piece of white card board they read their doom, but refuse to accept it. It is a cruelly hard thing for a man to realize that the fruits of a lifetime are swept away in an hour. The weary years of labor, the little devices of economy, the painful self-denial of old clothes and plain food, the pleasures foregone, the loved ones who en- dured all that old age might be lifted over the hard spots in life's pathway, the thousand and one discomforts of small sav- ings, the knowledge that life is now perhaps to be ended in hopeless, pinching poverty, as bodily strength fails and com- forts are a necessitv — all these are summed up in those two fatal words, "BANK CLOSED." By some mistake of a clerjv a few men and pleading women were admitted at a side door. Wilson managed to get rid of most of them on the promise that possibly the firm could re- ..sume to-morrow when their interests would all be looked after. Some were reasonable, others utterly unreasoning and threatening. Some of those who had held on to their stocks until their investment was nearly wiped out of existence, blamed the firm for not advising them in time to sell. Some who had bought stocks that had declined very little, thought there was some trick about the order to close the doors. They wanted their money, and were in some cases insultingly clamorous. Among others who had entered were Pipe Malley and John Wright. The former came through sympathy with his friend Norwell, the latter half crazed with anxiety, wanted his stocks or the money for them. "Mr. Norwell, can you ruin a poor man this way?" said Wright, as he pushed himself into Norwell's presence. " Mr. Wright, I have ruined no one. I am ruined m3'self." " Give me back my principal and I'll ask no more." " I can not give you back your principal. The stock has declined till it is not worth half what you paid for it." " I want my money. I've got to have my money. It be- longs to Sarah, an' it'll kill her to lose it. I've slaved all my life for Sarah and the children. It was a bad day when I ever put my money in the hands of rich men." He went on in an incoherent way, continually repeating, " I've got to have my money, I t«ll you. It's Sarah's and the children's, an' it'll kill her. Can't you give me some of it? " he finally asked. "Just as much as you can." 520 AN TRON CROWN. " Mr. WrlCTht, I can't give you any money. I can give you your stocks and you can go out and sell them. But you can not get much for them. I think you had better wait." "Why didn't you tell me this afore, Mr. Norwell, as a friend of Little Hackett's? You knowed I couldn't afford to lose the money. Haven't you any feelings for a poor man?" " I told you I could sell your venture at a profit. You chose not to sell. I said it might go higher, that I thought it would go higher, but I made no guarantee." During this time Wilson and one of tlie clerks had suc- ceeded in getting everybody out of the office excepting Pipe Malley and Wright. The latter was in a perfect frenzy at losing his money, and would listen to no arguments. "I don't want to do anytlflng desprit, but I must have that money. I tell you it'll kill Sarah. Do you want to murder my family, do you? I might as well do something desprit an' be hung, an' then when Sarah an' me are gone* the children can go to the poorhouse. Are you trying to cheat a poor man? " Pipe Malley had listened for some time with impatience. He could no longer restrain his indignation. Walking be- tween Norwell and Wright he turned on the latter. " See here, Mr. Wright, you are acting like a madman. You're out o' your head. Go home till you come to yourself before you go talking to people." " I'll go when I get my monev." " Your money ! What's your money more than other people's money? Haven't others lost all they had? If you don't want to risk any consequences, don't you take any chances. I've been in that mill, too. Now when you get out you'll know enough to stay out." " I don't want to be beat." "Who's trying to beat you? You've stood here an' abused Mr. Norwell till it's a shame. I tell you there isn't an honester man in New York than Tom Norwell. Now don't say another word agin him, for I won't stand it if he does." Tom Norwell, utterly worn out and overwhelmed by the disasters of the day, had sat quiet during the dialogue between Malley and Wright. Thinking his friend's zeal might have led him too far, he quietly said, " Pipe, be careful. There is no need of any further excitement." " I'm not excited, Mr. Norwell. I only say that tiiis man AN IRON CROWN. 52I has said too much, an' he'd better go home till he comes to his senses. And what's more, I'll not stand his fibusing you." Wilson and Malley finally got Wright aside and induced him to leave and wait till next day. The firm hoped to be open for business again as usual. With reviving hope the man finally saw the absurdity of his actions and regretted his course. " Mr. Norvvell," he said, " I guess I was a little too fast. But I was thinkin' of Sarah an' the children. I'm a plain man an' don't know how to talk polite like you do. If I said anything out of the way I hope you won't consider it as amountin' to much." " We will let that pass," said Tom. Pipe left at the same time, but when Wilson showed him out he met Amaziah Snicker at the side entrance. Snicker came to make in- quiiies about some business matters in which he- was indirectly interested. " What is the prospect, Wilson?" " Very dark. We hope to resume to-morrow." "It's terrible," said Snicker, wij^ing his face as he entered the private office. " I never saw the like. I didn't sleep a wink last night. I'm out a cool hundred thousand." " It is a very dark outlook for us," said Norwell, " but I supposed that you had no investments that were likely to be affected by a temporary fluctuation." " Did it against my better judgment, to please Fred and some friends. I've been in hot water for three days. I can't sit still, or eat or sleep. It reminds me of the time I scooped a million out o' sugar in '61. Damn me, why did I ever scoop a million out o' sugar to go dabbling in railroad stocks!" A vicious stamp of the foot accompanied this sentiment. "A clean hundred thousand gone. Damn speculation, I say." Mr. Snicker vanished with this objurgation on the very means that had put the Snicker family into society, and above every- thing common, except, perhaps, the very common habit of getting out of temper and indulging a latitude often taken on» such occasions by high and low, rich and poor, the habit of swearing. The partners were left alone in Norwell's private office. " Wilson, I'd rather be dead than undergo all this." "It's a hard place to be in, that's a fact; but the main thins: now is to gfet out." ^22 AN IRON CROWN. " Arthur, I am sorry I ever advised you to go into busi- ness. Ruin will be the»result." "Tom, this is no time for that sort of talk. I took the re- sponsibility on my own shoulders when I agreed to put my money into business." " Everything I do seems to be unlucky." Wilson for the first time now noticed the worn, haggard look in the face of his partner. Under the tremendous pres- sure of the last few days Norwell looked several years older. Wilson, who knew as yet little of the secret trouble weigh- ing on Tom's heart, supposed all this anxiety was caused by the disaster that had overtaken the business. He said kindly, but firmly: " Norwell, positively you must not give way to these mor- bid feelings now, or think about what might have been. VVe need all our energies to save ourselves. Listen. I have one plan yet. George Mack, my old partner in the Amazon, lives in Philadelphia. If he can raise one hundred thousand dollars in cash, we can pull through, I think, for the bottom has been reached beyond doubt. I shall take a train for Phil- adelphia at once. You say to Alice that I shall not be home to-night, and, by the way, vou had better stay there your- self. " " That is a good idea, Arthur. Meantime I will go over and see Ingledee and find out, if I can, what the outlook is for to-morrow." " I have no confidence in Ingledee, but as you are an old friend of his, it can't do any harm to see him." Norwell got his hat at once and prepared to start, while Wilson made a few hasty preparations for his journey. A train left Jersey City in twenty minutes, and he had just enough time to catch it. " Arthur, I have not felt like myself for a day or two. The pressure has been more than I can stand. I'm glad you are equal to it." "Tom, I'll pull the firm through if it is possible. I know , Mack will help me if he can. Put things in as bright a light as you can to Alice and Miss Bryce." " I'll do it. Good-bye, Arthur; success to you." " Good-b3'e, Tom. I'll telegraph as soon as I learn any- thing definite." Tom still held his partner's hand. For some reason, some mysterious impulse, he clung to it and gave it a lingering An iuoN CROWN. 523 pressure, as if he could not bear to let it go. Again he re- peated, " Good-bye, Arthur." .Again Wilson said. good-bye and gently drew his hand away from Tom's, a little surprised at the yearning look in his brother's eyes. With faint hope Tom cried out after the figure retreating through the doorway outside, "Good luck." A tear stole silently down his cheek. This strong, active, once buoyant spirit was slowly breaking under a pressure that few men could bear. Norwell put on his hat and walked down the street to Ingledee's office. The drizzling rain and fog had deepened at half-past three in the afternoon, almost into the darkness of night. Gas burned everywhere, shining dimly through the mist with a faint aureole. The mob had diminished, but still watched sullenly in force before -the windows of the great magnates of the street. The same muttered threats of violence were occasionally heard. There was a rumor that Ophir had entered Ingledee's office, and that the two railway kings were now closeted together. But the sullen men who breathed vengeance were a minority, and the mob was not prepared to inaugurate a carnival of bloodshed and destruc- tion. Norwell with little difficulty passed through an adjoin- ing building and reached a back entrance of the building in which Ingledee's spacious oflices were situated. A porter who knew Norwell, let him pass readily, and told him that Mr. Ingledee had not yet gone home. Norwell passed to the front and pleading very urgent business, was admitted to the private office. Here were Mr. Ingledee, Chetta and Horace Roker. Ingledee had not been alarmed by the threats of the mob. He had, contrary to Roker's advice, remained in the office all day watching the market. The excitement of the occasion was to him only child's play which he greatly enjoyed. Entrenched behind his impregnable millions, he sat and placidly watched the drowning wretches who had been sud- denly overtaken by this monetary deluge. He smiled as he raked in the thousands that would have saved others, and for want of which they must perish. He laughed at Roker's hints that there might be danger in remaining. Henry Ingledee never deserted his post because of danger. Chetta, who had come down early in the day, absolutely refused to leave her father, in spite of his commands. For once she peremptorily refused to obey him. Norwell told Mr. Ingledee that things were verv threat- 5-4 AN IRON' CRO\V>r. ening outside, and that tlie mob refused to disperse, though business hours were now past. He mentioned the threats to burn the building. "Let them try it, curse them!" exchiimed Ingledee. " It will be the worst piece of work they ever ditl." "Oh do go, papa; we can do nothing here now, any way." Just then a heavy stone was thrown with great force striking the plate glass window and shivering it into long, jagged triangles, some of which broke off and fell to the ground, while others stood in place. This was followed by a hooting and yelling of the mob. "The villains!" exclaimed Mr. Ingledee as he rushed to the window defiantly. " Papa, you must go. Quick, or it may be too late."^ She clung to him and placed herself between him and the window. " Yes, it is time for us all to go," said Norwell. " Miss Ingledee, this is no place for you." He took her arm to lead her away, while Roker stood calmly in tlie rear waiting the orders of his chief. " 1 can't go Mr. Norwell, till papa and you are safe. Please be quick. I will wait here till 3'^ou escape. They will suspect nothing while they see me here, and they will not hurt a woman." "We will all go," said Mr. Ingledee decisively. " I think the beggars mean mischief. Daughter, run to the back door and wait for us. I will get my hat and cane. They can't start me in a panic if they do their worst. Go Chetta." " Papa, if we all go at once they will discover us and you may not escape. You gentlemen must go first; while I remain they will not suspect that you are gone. They are not such cowards as to attack a woman when they discover their mistake." Another stone shattered more of the glass and accelerated Mr. Ingledee's movements toward a little closet where his hat and stick were. Chetta moved nearer the window and Norwell stepped forward to lead her away. Some one in the crowd, doubtless thinking his figure that showed con- spicuous in the gaslight was that of Ingledee, suddenly fired a sb.ot, the fiist one that had been heard. It was followed by a woman's scream, and two or three more shots in quick suc- cession. Chetta Ingledee clasped her side convulsively, stood AN IRON CROWN. 525 still for a moment, then fell heavily into Norwcll's arms as he caught her, horror stricken at the suddenness of the terrible deed. The fatal bullet had entered the region of the stomach and torn its way through the vital organs. Roker uttered a cry of horror which caused Mr. Ingledee to turn in time, to see his daughter fall, limp and helpless, into Norwell's arms. He rushed to her side, asking frantically: "Are you hurt, darling? Speak to me. What is it, my child?" She looked up into Norwell's face, while a smile played over the features from which the blood had already fled. Then she spoke faintly and gasping: "Tom, don't let me fall. I'm so dizzy. Papa, save your- self." "Roker, go for a physician, quick — quick!" said Mr. Ingledee. The agonized father hastily tore open the clotliing of his dying child, as she lay on the floor, her head supported on Norwell's knee. The beautiful skin, as white as marble, showed one small spot hardly as large as a cherry witii a dark, blood-colored, narrow ring around its edge. Not a drop of blood issued from the wound. "Chetta, speak to me; are you badly hurt?" She opened her eyes and said faintly: " Papa, are you safe? " " Yes, daughter, I think the danger is over. Are you much hurt, Chetta ? " " Papa, I am dying." A moan from the stricken parent was the only answer. There was a brief pause. No more shots had been fired and a platoon of police were now clearing the streets. The dying woman breathed very hard. The diaphragm had been torn and disabled by the shot. Neither of the men uttered a single word during this minute of intense suspense. "Please raise my head," she murmured very faintl}'. Norwell drew her head and shoulders into a more comfortable position, rest- ing them against his body a^^ he kneeled on the floor. The woman who had loved him all her life was now dving in his arms. Soon there was a convulsive struggle for a brief moment, and the face was distorted by a spasm of intense pain. Then a peaceful expression passed over the blood- less features of the woman. " Papa," she said in a low tone, "I am going." Then she looked at him with an expression of intense wistfulness. He stooped down and tenderly inquired: 526 AN IKON CROWN. " Do you wish anything dear? " Kiss me, papa." Tears rained down the cheeks of this iron-willed man as he thought of his child that had spent her life scarcely know- ing a parent's love. He suddenly rememhered that he had not kissed her since she was a child He kissed her tenderly and hurst out: " Oh, my child, my precious child." She had closed her eyes and did not appear to hear him. In the last moments hefore eternity was about to claim his child, this wordly-minded, money-worshiping man saw in the twinkling of an eye that there are things which all the millions in the world can not buy. A kiss on the lips of the dying, outweighed his threescore millions. Slie turned her eyes to Nor well with a look of ineffiible peace. Her eyes met his for an instant. Then they sought her father's face as he leaned over her in an agony of appre- hension. There was a [witching of the fingers, a movement of the limbs, a feeble attempt at catching the breath, and Chetta Ingledee was dead. The physician came too late. It was the undertaker who was to perform his office now. Roker assisted Mr. Ingledee into a carriage. Tom Norwell walked out alone, needing assistance much more than the bereaved father. The black- ness of death and disaster had suddenly overspread the entire sky of his life. His oldest, best friend had died to save him. The events of the last two days, so full of dire calamity, had culminated in an awful tragedy, and the end was not yet. He was no longer able to reason his way into any safe haven of refuge. He could only imagine still worse things, for thei'e was one thing that might be worse than all that had happened. In his overwrought condition there seemed to be b*e no way out of these dark, uncertain dangers. Life he thought could never again be so sweet for him. The elas- ticity of mind which in his youth had continually sprang over all obstacles, was now lost. Instead was only a funeral pall of despair that barred from his mind every pleasant thought. One avenue to a region where there was still sun- shine lay open. One star of hope still shone above the angry waters. There was light and life, but still the sad remem- brances of the past must cling round the peaceful abode to which this one small star might lead him — the home which he should share with his crushed but still beautiful Prairie AN IRON CROWN, 5^7 Flower. With her he would give up this struggle for wealth and live in humble content made wiser b}' the awful lessons of the past. Then a spectral shape rose between him and this haven of j^eace, and sick at heart, he strove not to think at all. It was best to have surcease of thought and let events take their own way, since their course could not be changed by much thinking. As soon as he had collected his thoughts a little, Norwell determined to go home at once and break the news to Alice. He dreaded the effect it might have on May. He would leave all to his sister. He suddenly longed for her strong womanly sympathy and advice, which would do so much toward putting his own disordered thoughts to rights. He called a hack and ordered the man to drive at once to Wilson's house. Alice, anxiouslv expecting news, met him at the door. The startling intelligence was told in a few words. She listened in silence, remarking only at the close: " That is awful, Tom." "Can you tell May without exciting her?' « I'll try." "How do you think she will take it?" Alice looked him in the face for a moment. But his countenance did not suggest the thought she feared. " I'll try to tell it so she will not be shocked. She will be very sorry. It is a di^eadful thing." May heard the news calmly and with pity for the sad fate of this young woman to whom life must have been so sweet and fen- whom it might have had so many delights in store. She thought of their last interview, and of the kind- ness shown her by her former rival. The past was all for- gotten in a moment, and only tender memories of the dead remained. At dinner no allusion was made to the tragedy of the day. Tom explained to the women Wilson's errand to Phil- adelphia. Mrs. W^ilson, who had unbounded confidence in her husband's judgment, at once took hope. Her cheerful confidence gradually aroused Tom. May, who knew abso- lutely nothing of business, thought things as good as settled already, and was content. The gloom gradually lifted around Tom until he began to see light before him. It was not the sunlight of youth, for that could never return acrain with the spring birds and the flowers. But it showed him still the same peaceful retreat with the figure qf a fair- 5^8 AN IKON CKOWN. haireil woman, and peace. He began to see clearly the events of the day and to catch a part of his sister's hope for the future. With returning calmness of mind he began to study more closely the slight form opposite him, as her blue eyes dwelt on him and she listened eagerly to his words. He was pained to see how fragile she looked. The slender figure appeared almost as delicate as some of those dainty productions in glass, that the slightest blow might ruin forever. Her cheek was wasted and pallid, excepting a faint hectic spot. The brightness of the eye and the cheerful manner he had once before taken for indications of returning health. Now he could not bear to look at those signs which bore such deep deception. Again the shadowy specter rose between him and that quiet land of sunshine. It hid the light of the one star that had shone for him above the black and angry waters. This suspense was unbearable. He determined to end it, although he shrank from the possibilities involved in an interview with Dr. Barnet. He told Alice he thought of going out for an hour or so. He might drop in at the club. He needed to mingle with men and divert his mind. She approved of his purpose, but added a wish that he might get in early. They would wait for him. He took his sister's hand at j^arting: "Alice, if I have ever been unkind to you, forgive me. You are a brave, true, good sister. Your presence is sun- shine itself." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. " Why, Tom, what else should a sister be?" He kissed her again and said, " Good-night." May went with him to the door, for every moment of his presence was joy to her. "Tom, I know things must come out all right. I think you are not quite happy. Do you really care so much for money?" " God bless you, little girl," he cried, clasping her to his bosom, " I care nothing for money now. You are all the world to me." She nestled close to his bosom and mur- mured: " Tom, I've been very foolish. I wronged you when I doubted you ; forgive me. I never was so happy as I am now." She had thought again of that ill-omened note and her active conscientiousness would not rest till this confession was made. He heard it all, then answered gently: AN IRON CROWN. 539 "May, I have been weak and wicked. It was all be- cause I was too cowardly to face duty and do right when it was disagreeable. Let us bury this painful subject forever," The lovers in this moment of mutual confession and con- doning were supremely happy. The perfect confidence that marks perfect love had been attained. There could be no more doubts. For a moment Norwell saw things as never before. The triumphs of love and duty wei'e worth more than all the victories ever achieved in Wall Street since Wall Street began. But this vision of Eden was momentary. Again the shadow)'' specter flitted between him and the dis- tant land of sunshine, which for an instant seemed very near. Snatching a hasty kiss, he said, " Good-night," and was gone. The news of the tragedy in Mr. Ingledee's ofiice had spread with the rapidity which only the magic of electricity can produce. The papers issued extras with startling head- lines. Excited crowds scanned the bulletin boards and blockaded the sidewalks. Men sympathized with the be- reaved father whom they had cursed an hour before. The community was inexpressibly shocked that the arm of ven- geance had failed on a defenceless, innocent woman. Pipe M alley was standing in the door of his store when a boy came running breathlessly, crying, ''AH 'bout the rite'n murder." Pipe bought a paper, and eagerly looking at the display lines, dropped it in surprise and in a tone of anguish exclaimed : "Quill, she's dead!" "Who's dead, Pipe?" " Why her, Miss Ingledee." Quill's only response to this terrible neWs was to drop a package he was tying up and spill its contents on the floor. He stood staring at Pipe as if waiting for further information. But Pipe could only repeat : " Ain't it awful, Quill?" After the first surprise Quill at once thought of how he had betrayed his dead benefactress, and* for the first time in his life knew what remorse was. At last he ventured to ask Pipe who sat behind the desk, saying nothing: " What ailded her. Pipe?" "What ailed her! why she was killed in the office. Mur- dered! Don't you know? It's there in the paper." As Quill had not seen the paper he could not well be expected to know. 34 53° AX IRON CROWN. "I believe it's a He. Nobody had a grudj^e agin her tin- less" — here Quill stopped short — "Durn him, I'd like to choke him to death," he added viciously, as he slammed a weight down on the counter. "Oh you! You're green as grass, Quill. Nobody did it for a grudge. The fellow just shot out of the crowd expect- ing to kill her father, and killed her. That's all there was to it. She was the best friend I ever had." " An' we never behaved half decent like we might a' done in class." " No we didn't," replied Pipe with solemn emphasis. At supper-time Quill's appetite was completely gone, to Mrs. Malley's alarm. She was unable to see how the death of this dearly beloved teacher should take away appetite. vShe herself had eaten three square meals the day Mr. Malley departed this life, for grief In her philosophy she saw no reason, and she was right, for ignoring the wants.of the body because of the sorrow of the mind. When she saw Pipe eat a hearty meal she was fully confirmed in her view that some maladv had fastened on her precious Quill. While Mrs. Mallev openly admired Pipe as the smartest of the two bovs, she surreptitiously spoiled and abetted Quill's shortcomings behind Pipe's back. She loved this careless, easy-going boy because he was the inferior of the other, and because she thought Pipe was sometimes too hard on him. He needed her love and sympathy and she gave it freely. " Quill, honey, are you sick ? " " No," was the rather mournful answer. " But yer eatin' nothin'." " He ate enough at dinner for three meals," replied Pipe. " I didn't either. I jist ain't hungry, that's all." As this was the first time in Quill's life that he had not been hungry at meal time, Mrs. Malley quietly called him aside after supper to diagnose his symptoms. Finally under promise that she must not tell Pipe, Quill related to his mother the circumstances of his carrying the note, allowing Roker to see it, and finally delivering it to the wrong- person. "Do you think she'll bring it up agin me, mother?" It was difficult to see how the dead woinan could bring anything lip against any one now; but Quill's conscience was very tender as he i-eflected on what he had done. He accused himself bitterly to his mother. AN IRON CROWN, 53 1 " Mother, I jist feel so mean I can't bear to think of it. I hain't fit to Hve, that's what I hain't." Into his humble life had come a kind friend; across his pathway lay golden opportunities. He had betrayed that friend and despised tlie opportunities. He hated himself for it. " Quill, you've been a bad boy. Are you really sorry?" " Awful sorry, mother." " Then I don't think she will bring it up agin you." Quill felt relieved to think that his mother looked on the transaction as one that could be forgiven. Mentally he fairly groveled in the dust of penitence while his indignation steadily grew against Horace Roker who had led him to commit this sin of blackest ingratitude. CHAPTER LHI. THE SHADOW THAT WALKED BEFORE. Norwell went directly to Dr. Barnet's office and found the doctor in. He began at once, for this suspense was un- bearable. Be the Doctor's opinion what it might it was better to know all than endure such uncertainty. Dr. Barnet as usual began with generalities. Tom stopped him short. "Doctor, I want to know the facts in this case. I must know them." " Then you are a near friend of the young lady? " " She is my affianced bride." " Her case is very serious. You may as well accustom yourself to consider it dangerous." The doctor paused. He was loth to pronounce the death doom of the hopes of this young man before him. He knew nothing of the magnitude of that mountain of calamity that three or four days had heaped on Norwell's shoulders. " Go on, Doctor. I am prepared for the worst. Is there no hope? " " None whatever. Miss Bryce is in an advanced stage of consumption." Norwell was very calm. He made no exclamations. He listened as the prisoner at the bar listens while the judge pronounces the sentence of death. Do^ AN IRON CROWN. "Can nothing be done, Doctor? Would a change of climate — would California do her any good?" " Too late," said Dr. Barnet, as he shook his head sadly. "Six months ago or even three months ago it might have saved her, but the work is done now." " How long do you think she may live?" " But a few months, perhaps six, may be not so many weeks." • Norwcll left the office heedless of the direction he took. He walked like a somnambulist who is not conscious of time, jolace, or action. But his brain was exceedingly busy. The past rose before him in rapid review. He thought of the first time he had met May and of that first stolen kiss on the bridge. He thought of Chetta Ingledee's life of devotion to him and of the last look of love in her dying eyes which smote him with reproaches. He had slighted one woman who had died to save him and had been false to another who was soon to follow her to the grave, all for love of him. In his agony he cried out, " My God, what have I done!" Again that shad- owy phantom crossed his path shutting out the rays of the one benignant star whose light he had followed. This time it was nearer and moi e distinct. He saw it now without fear. Life for him had no charms, death no terrors. He thought of Wilson's errand for help and of its possible outcome, with the indifference of one in no w^ay interested. The one great trouble of threatened ruin no longer gave him any uneasiness. It was only the inconvenience of a trifling episode, the petty annoyance of a day now laid aside. He walked on sometimes in busy streets, sometimes in deserted streets, not knowing the difference between them. Now and then amid the human forms he caught the outline of that spectral shadow that each time seemed a little nearer and clearer. He looked on it calmly, almost curiously. He turned into Broadway, which at tiiis time of night was nearl}' deserted. The great thor- oughfare which he had traversed thousands of times seemed to recall him partially to a sense of his condition. The famil- iar landmarks reminded him that business and joy and hope and love were not for him. He had done with them all, and dismissed them. But the faces that he had often seen on that street would not be dismissed. Again he saw tlie love look in Chetta's dying eyes and almost instantly May Bryce's sweet p.ale face, with its saddened expression. With a moan he plunged into a less known side street. Better darkness AN I HON t'UOWN. 53^ and that grim threatening shadow, than such awful memories. He walked for hours, not realizing the flight of time. At last he was roused to the consciousness that he had left his sister and sweetheart at home awaiting his return. The two women at home sat in silence, waiting for the return of the lover and brother. Neither referred to the dreadful event of the day, though the thoughts of both had been busy, Alice took a book, and May sat thinking, till the silvery tones of the clock indicated the hour often. " It is getting late, Alice. Why doesn't he come?" " It isn't late yet. May. Tom often stays out till after eleven." " But he promised to come back early, and we were to wait, you know." " He has met some friends, doubtless. It will do him good to talk to them." Alice laid aside her book, and the two women drawing nearer together, talked confidentially of old times. Lately, for some reason May delighted to tell of her childhood home in the beautiful prairies of Illinois. She loved to dwell on the little incidents of farm-life. There was a certain old gnarled apple-tree in the orchard at home, where the great branches formed a swinging seat. Here she had often sat when a girl, with a favorite book which she read betimes, while the pink- ish-white petals of the fragrant blossoms showered over her golden hair, and innumerable bees hummed busily and darted honey-laden away. The robin, alarmed at this fair in- truder on his peculiar domain, with much fretful ado quirked and complained as he flitted from tree to tree in tlie vicinity. Here she sometimes sat in late summer, and looked off over the rolling prairies at the waving cornfields, shady groves, and dotted farmhouses. Here away to the southwest she could see the lines of the fleec}' " thimderheads " pile slowly one on top of another, while she peopled them with a fairy world, the product of her own prolific imagination. Here she was startled from her day-dreams by the sudden swoop of the red-headed woodpecker, who had a mind to banquet on the tempting crimson-cheeked apples, but in his turn was startled at the unexpected vision in the old tree, and flew away with a wavi^ig flight to the highest point of the barn-roof, or the dead branches of some neighbonng tall tree. Then he waited, while perhaps his mate in the distance pecked a rapid succession of smart blows on a dry rail or tree 534 A^ IRON CROWN. sounding the woodpecker's rattle so familiar to the ear in the American forests and fields. May deli,2;hted to dwell on these tender recollections. She had never liked the bustle and turmoil of a great city, and since her health had failed she longed for the old home. With much persuasion Alice had induced Mav to write to her father and mother that she was not in her usual health. An answer was expected soon. Meantime Alice saw that her sick friend drooped visibly, day by day. The little clock again interrupted their conversation. With deliberate silvery strokes it pealed out eleven. The last stroke seemed delayed for an instant, as if it dreaded to alarm this patient, suffering creature to whom it must send a pang. "Alice," asked the young woman in a low tone, " do you think anything has happened him? I am uneasy." " I think not, dear. Don't be alarmed, you know you are not quite strong yet, and must be as quiet as possible." As Mrs. Wilson said this, she silently drew nearer to the fragile girl, and placed an arm around her waist. In truth, she her- self was uneasy. " Tom has met some friends. It is bet- ter so." There were no more tender reminiscences of the old home. There was only anxious watching. Vehicles of all kinds had long since disappeared from the streets, excepting an occa- sional carriage that rolled homeward, bearing its occupants from some scene of pleasure. Thus runs the world away. One waits in lonely silence for the return of an absent one, or watches patiently by the sick bed, while another goes forth to scenes of pleasure. To-morrow he will sit in mourning, too, while another hastes to the bridal feast. Occasionally the women went to the window, and peered out into the street where the passers were now very few. At times they started as they felt sure they heard a footfall on the steps of the front door. It was all a fancy, no one came. The silvery tongue of the clock slowly pealed twelve. Reluctantly it was compelled to measure the flight of time. " I am sure something has happened," said Mav in alarm. "I think not, dear. He must have been delayed, and find- ing it late, went to his lodgings. W'e had better retire, and meet him at breakfast." While Alice said this, a great fear which she was obliged to conceal, possessed her. AN IRON CROWN. ^35 "We promised to wait for him. He will not leave us alone to-night." " But you are not strong, May. Go to bed, and get your rest. You need it. I will sit up for him." " I could not sleep. I will wait, too." Mrs. Wilson called a servant, and told him to close the Iiouse, and go to bed. She intended to wait for her brother. The man obeyed, and soon all was silent in the house. The night was dark, though the drizzling rain had ceased in the evening. Carriages were heard now only at very rare inter- vals. Soon the silvery voice of the clock pealed one with a suddenness that alarmed them. It had got through its dis- agreeable task with marvelous dispatch, compared with its very deliberate work of recording twelve. To end this ter- rible suspense, Mrs. Wilson now sent a servant to her broth- er's lodgings to inquire if he had returned. It was but a short distance, and soon the man came back, saying that with much difficulty he had aroused the house, and that Mr. Nor- well had not been in that evening. May's anxiety now caused a violent fit of coughing which sounded dreadfully alarming in the great silent house. Her friend, with a mother's solicitude, administered a rem.edy, and urged her again to go to bed. The night air was getting chill, and the fire in the grate was out. May persisted in re- fusal. She could not sleep while the dreadful thought haunted her that something might have happened to him. Alice then threw a shawl about the invalid who sat in an easy chair, and the vigil continued. Now there were no sounds in the streets. The great cit}' slept as nearly as a city may, which never sinks to perfect repose. Alice had rapidly sunk into a condition of alarm that ap- proached despair, and realizing her brother's great troubles, and the effect that the tragedy of the day must have had on him, she feared that it might unsettle his mind temporarily. She thought of this again and again, and each time with increasing fear of the one terrible event — suicide. The stillness of the house was oppressive, and had in it something of terror to the two watchers, who drew closely together in sympathy. For a brief space the silence was per- fect. But the eye of a million people is never wholly closed. The wants of civilization turn night into day, and universal sleep is unknown. As the British Empire boasts that the sun never sets on her dominions, so a great city may boast, if such 536 AN IRON' CROWN. a vaunt be a matter of self-congratulation, that she never sleeps. Her vigil is eternal. It plants the seeds of death, for it is said that ten thousand more people die every yeai" in New York than are born there. This great waste is made up from the country, where men's nerves are steadied by the balm of perfect sleep, the only elixir of life. The tide of restless humanity had ebbed to its lowest point, and stood still for a moment before the re-awakening. These women waiting for a loved one had seen it decline, and their hopes slowly sank with it, till the depths of despair were reached, in mutual silence. Neither dared speak her thoughts to the other, though each one knew the other's thoughts. A noise in a neighboring business street aroused them. A baker's wagon rattled over tlie stony pavements on its route supplying restaurants which were obliged to open early. The day had begun, but not the dawn. In a low tone Alice broke the silence: " It will soon be morning." • "Hark! what is that?" asked May, whose sensitive ear caught the slightest sound. The quick step of a man was heard outside. His figure could be dimly seen in the dvdl light from a street lamp at the corner. He ascended the steps, and paused to read the name on the door-plate. The hearts of the women stood still in dread expectation. It was not the one they looked for; he would unlock the door, and enter. Then the door-bell rang violently, startling the women as its echoes sounded through the silent house. Neither spoke, but both felt that something had happened. Instantly Mrs. Wilson was at the door. Putting on the guard-chain, she cautiously opened the door a few inches. " Does Mr. Wilson live here?" "Yes; what is wanted? " " Do you know a Mr. Norwell? " "Yes; he is my brother. Something has hajjpened?" "An accident in the street, ma'am. The gentleman was run down by a carriage that turned the corner on him too quick. He was brought home to 19 Amsterdam Place insen- sible. The}- found this address on some papers in his pocket." " I will go to him at once. Will you be kind enough to go to the stables around on the. next street, and order a hack instantly? " "Certainly, Ma'am," said the man, then, after hesitating, he added: "Don't be alarmed too much, ma'am, but he is very badly injured." \ AN IRON CROWN. 53^ The man knew there was little hope, and the anxious women arrived only to find the loved one unconscious from a ghastly wound in the head where it had struck the sharp curbstone. May entered first, and stood for a moment like one suddenly struck by a mortal shaft, then threw herself upon the motionless form and burst into a passionate grief. One by one the strangers silently stole from the room, and the anxious sister and stiicken sweetheart were left alone with their dear one in the solemn gray twilight of the early morningf. CHAPTER LIV. A FADING FLOWER. The angel of death has been busy with the characters of tliis history, and sorrow has sometimes entered where jov might have been expected. But this book has not been written to depict all things as pleasant, and cater to any idle desire for mere amusement. In the estimation of the writer, life is far too serious, its work-day needs too pressing, its leisure too small, its duties too great, its pathos too real for any one to spend weary months of hard labor and precious time, that dearest of all things sold from nature's store, to pro- duce a book for mere amusement; or for any one to read such a book simply because it is a story, and may perhaps tickle witli some odd conceit the already surfeited palate of the reading public. This narration is sometimes sad, because life is very often sad. Mirth is a medicine, and habitual sadness is not good for man. But sorrow is the crucible that refines character till the pure gold far outshines the meretricious glitter of fool's gold. It is better to weep sometimes with Niobe, than to grin forever with Comus. It is best to know, once for all, and never forget, that certain lines of conduct can onl}- lead to suffering, and that others will lead to happiness, come what may. It is well to know that monev in itself is not happi- ness; that the man who in this life seeks only money, who toils for it by day, dreams of it by night, and perhaps acts dishonestly to get it, is laying up for himself only dis- 53S AN IROM CROWK. appointment for old age, and, if he be not utterly lost to the finer feelings of human nature, remorse for his death-bed and despair for his soul. It is well to keep it forever before our eyes, that we can not remedy evils by ignoring them. All that the tyrant, the extortioner, the evil-doer asks is to be let alone. We can not shirk our duties as citizens on the plea: These things do not trouble me; my family and my interests arc safe. The pub- lic weal is the first duty of every citizen. When this princi- ple is forgotten in a selfish and disgraceful scramble for office, spoils, and emoluments, democratic government has witnessed the beginning of the end. Finally, it is well for us to remember that we can not, if we would, escape the consequences of our own acts; and that, though we may manfully face these consequences for our- selves, we may bring sorrow to other hearts, and ruin toother firesides, while we are powerless to avert tPie blow. A few^ months have elapsed since the sad events recorded in the last chapter. The scene is a cottage in New Jersey. People move quietly within and speak in subdued tones. A fair young woman lies at the point of death. The sweet Prairie Flower has slowly drooped day by day, while fond parents and kind friends watch at her bedside. It is again spring time. The warm south wind enters at the open win- dow, while the sun shines brightly on ihe trees outside where the happy birds sing. May Bryce is no longer able to sit by the window and watch the birds build ; but her bed is brought near, and she can hear them. Her mother sits by the bedside, and watches with breaking heart, the wasted features of her once beautiful child. On that face there is only sweet peace and perfect happi- ness. She knows that she is going to die. There are no more fears, no more doubts, no more longings. It is only a step from this world of sorrow to that land of joy, where every wish shall be pure, and every sense be gratified. She asks her stricken father and mother not to weep for her. Death is only laying off an old gai ment for a new one that is beautiful and perfect. But the eyes of those weeping parents can not see beyond the river to that region of delight on which their daughter looks with perfect resignation. AN IRON CROWN. 539 Their tired feet still tread this earth, and their weary liearts can not yet give up the things of this life. " Mother, do not grieve, it is only for a little while. %We shall all meet soon." "Yes, child; but we shall be very lonely in the old house at home." " But you will think of me, and then you will know that I am still near you. How I should like to see the old liome again. What day of the month is it, mother?" "It is the twentieth day of May." " The apple trees are now in full bloom, and the flowers are thick on the prairies. I think it would do me good to smell them again." " Shall I give you this bouquet that Miss Hackett brought you?" " No," said the sick girl wearily, motioning the flowers away; "it was very kind of Mary, but it doesn't smell like the flowers at home. I miss the apple blossoms." " Mr. Wilson will get you some, May." "No, it isn't worth while, mother. They wouldn't be just like our apple blossoms." She paused awhile, and gasped for breath — she was very weak now. " Father ! " she called faintly. " Yes, May; I am here," and the stricken man took his seat by the bedside. " I've been thinking about our old home." " Have you, child? Well, it's a pleasant place to think about." " I did wish I could die there, but that is over now." His tears were falling fast, but he dared not trust his voice to say a word. He feared to distress her by breaking down completely. " Do you think the boys and girls will think of me some- times?" " They surely will." " Please say I often thought of them. Give my old teacher, Mr. Hickson, some of my books. He would like them." " It shall be done, daughter." Then she went on with various little bequests to her former young friends and school- mates. She spoke with a childish simplicity, and in all things seemed more and more a child. At last she spoke with sudden eagerness: 540 AN IRON CROWN. " Father, please don't sell my pony. Poor Dick! I know he will miss me." * I will keep him always," said the father, in a choking: voice. " May, are you not tired? Perhaps you are talking too much at one time," gently suggested the mother. She closed her eyes as if thinking, and lay very still for a few minutes. A sense of drowsiness prevailed in the room as the afternoon sun made the air warm. The hirds still flitted in the trees but their motions were more languid. A bottlefly that had got inside suddenly buzzed up against the window pane in his efforts to escape. The noise caused the sick girl to open her eyes. " Father," she said in a very low voice. " What is it, my child ? " " I wish to ask one more favor before I die. You will not refuse me?" He knew what she wanted and nodded, his head for her to go on. __^ When Mr. Bryce on his arrival in New York had learned all the terrible details of this tragedy of his daughter's life, his anger had flamed hot against Tom Norwell. But seeing the distress that it gave May he had never said anything on the subject after the first outburst of passionate grief. Mrs. Bryce had made her peace with May on that subject and the dying girl now longed for the same words of forgiveness from the father. Tom Norwell had lain for weary weeks at the point of death, not caring to live. When the Wilsons had moved from their fine New York home to a modest res- idence in a suburban town of New Jersey he had been able, for the first time, to leave his room. Now a saddened, broken man he came daily to speak a few words with his dying loved one. Mr. Bryce had quietly but persistently refused a recon- ciliation. He was ready now to grant his child anything. "Have you forgiven him? For my sake, father, please." " Yes, darling, I have forgiven him." "And you will not grieve too much for me, will you?" "Oh, May! May! My child, my poor child. My heart is broken." In spite of himself the gray-haired man burst into a fit of sobbing. For a moment a look of pain was on her worn features, but it soon passed and as his tears ceased to flow, her old happ}' look returned, the sunny look of her girlhood. " It is only for a little while, father, and then we shall all meet, to be very happy." AN IRON CROWN. 54' She lay in a seeming reverie for a few minutes, and on rousing herself, the bright eyes which were sunk deej^ly in the wasted sockets looked around the room. Several times this was repeated. "Do you wish anything. May?" asked the mother. " Has he come yet? " Mrs. Bryce walked into the little sitting room and met Norwell, who had just arrived. Whispering a few words in his ear she led him into the sick room. The two men shook hands without uttering a word, though tears trickled down the cheeks of each. Then Tom took the hand of the sick girl. "Can you ever forgive me. May?" " Oh Tom, that is all past. I can die happy now." "I can never forgive myself," he answered with choking sobs." "Please do not say that; for my sake will you try to for- get all? For my sake? " "Yes May, I will try." She smiled serenely, and was finally at peace. After a few minutes of silence she fell again into the old condition of reverie that was half sleep. Again there was a wish ex- pressed in her countenance. "What is it, dear?" "Alice and Mr. Wilson," was the faint response. "Shall I call them?" " Yes." The end was fast approaching. When Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son came in, the same loving smile was the only recognition. No word was spoken as the five mourners gathered around the bedside. A half hour passed in silence. The birds no longer were noticed at the window. The sun sank low in the west but no one saw his going. The dying girl lay very still; the look of intelligence slowly faded from her eyes which were fixed vacantly on the wall, unless their attention was diverted by some movement in the room. Then for a moment they returned to the father and mother, only to fall into a vacant, far-off look again. An effort to speak was in vain. Only the word " Mother " very low, could be distinguished as Mrs. Bryce leaned over her dying child. There was a feeble struggle for breath, then perfect repose of mind and body. The eyes were fixed on the distant wall, and no longer recognized things of earth. 542 AN IRON CROWN. The breath came very feebly and with longer intervals, appeared to cease, then came again so weak as to be almost imperceptible, then ceased forever, and the soul of the Prairie Flower had bloomed again in a land where the flowers never fade and their perfume is eternal. The curiosity felt by mankind touching the affairs of other people will not allow this story to end without a few words of explanation as to the doings of the other characters in the book. Mr. Horace Roker's dream of the future has suffered a terrible awakening. It has passed away forever with her who gave the vision its seductive possibility. Roker felt per- haps as much sorrow at the death of Chetta Ingledee as he was capable of feeling for any one. But his disappointment at seeing his long-cherished hope blighted in an instant was most poignant. Mr. Ingledee sees more of this than any one else and mis- taking Roker as he always has done, gives him credit for pos- sessing a fine feeling. We may only picture in our imagina- tion the proportions of Roker's magnificent plans, for he con- fided fully in no one. He yet has plans which are left for time to develop. But one man guesses the extent of Roker's ambition, and that man finds him indispensable under the pres- sure of business cares and the infirmities of growing age. To Henry Ingledee, Roker is now a necessity, and enjoying the unusual advantages of connection with so many millions, that cool, calculating, soulless man is rapidly becoming a power among the money kings of the land. Some day he will doubtless be a great railway king himself, as he possesses all the qualifications for that modern potentate, namely brains and brass in plenty, conscience, none at all. Mr. Ingledee himself has grown old in appearance. His hair once jet black is now silvery. The lines in his face have deepened. His step has no longer the proud elasticity of a few years ago. He lives alone in the great house surrounded by the evidences of vast wealth which he can not enjoy. The great hope of his life perished with his son. The death of his daughter was only an incident compared with that other crisis. He missed her, he mourned her, but not as he moinned that son in whom all the hopes and ambitions of his life centered. The death of his children has only AN IRON CROWN. 543 hardened the heart of Mr. Ingledee. The temporary gleam of a higher humanity that lighted his soul as he saw his child dying before him, disappeared with her, and now he is the same iron- willed man, grasping feverishly, nay almost anx- iously after more gold. This unholy lust of money has burned out of his soul nearly every generous impulse, though he still gives to charity, and sometimes a benefaction to some public institution. The vex-y latest exploit of Mr. Ingledee and his partners in the way of business is an attempt to grab several million acres of public lands originally granted to a rival road, but which reverted to the people because no road was ever built in conformity with the act granting the lands. Ophir is still engaged in cornering stocks and skin- ning lambs in Wall street. The supply of juvenile mutton holds out wonderfully well. Occasionally he gets up a colossal squeeze and "milks" the street. His ways are no less peculiar than of old. Ophir knows better how to enjoy life than Ingledee. He spends much time with his family or in wandering through his vast greenhouses. Lately he has con- ceived the apparently innocent ambition of securing a speci- men of every kind of palm known. But Mr. Ophir is a man who will do to watch; perhaps he is trying to "corner" palms. From this picture of soulless extortion we turn to a more wholesome example. Pipe Malley, whom we first knew as a poor, rngged, illiterate newsboy has become a useful citizen. By industry, careful econom3', and attention to business, he has obtained a good start in the world. He is now a cleanly, well-dressed man. His strength of character has given him an assured ascendancy over his mother and Quill. If he at times draws the reins of family government rather tight it can be said in his defence that si^ch a course is conducive to their common welfare. Quill is still on salary. His prospects of being a partner are somewhat dubious, for Pipe insists that only strict atten- tion to business will enable anyone to earn promotion. Quill is one of the kind who are destined to go through life in a hand-to-mouth way. ^is speech is not yet regulated strictly by the rules of syntax, and his heels still occasionally essay a breakdown in Pipe's absence and when business is dull. The twins still gratefully remember their old teacher and benefactor, Chetta Ingledee. It may be of interest to the 544 AX IRON CROWN. student of human natare to add that each at times savs that Chetta made liim what he is. Mrs. Malley, since her sons have done so well in tlie world, no longer toils at the washtub but spends her time in housekeeping duties. Mary Hackett still works in the bindery. Aunt Rhoda is getting very old and childish. She seldom goes out. Occasionally Mary takes her to call on their dear friend, Mrs. Wilson. After these visits the old lady is usually inclined to indulge in reflections on the past, and frequently mentions Mr. Tom, and the boy whose grave is under the pines in that far-off mountain land. Austin Hickley is still in the law, and the Honorable Dave Sawder is still in politics, which is perhaps all that the reader cares to know about him. The Snicker family is still in the social swim. The Old Commoner is assiduously scooping a million out of sugar, in spite of his daughter's protest that the feat has been per- formed often enough already. Mr. Fred Snicker is still indus- triously doing society with his little cane and his wainbow- layered perfumes. Miss Harrie Snicker having failed to cap- ture a live lord or a mining millionaire has received Mr. Bradley again into favor much against the will of paterfami- lias. The Gallic tongue has gone out of fashion, :ind she is again obliged to speak the vernacular for want of a more available medium. Mr. Bradley is more than ever devoted to his great purpose seconded so ably by Miss Harrie, though the labor of his herculean task is beginning to tell on him and his duties begin to wear a perfunctory air. Arthur Wilson managed to save a competence from the wreck of his affairs. In a quiet little cottage surrounded by vines and shrubber}', in a suburban village, over in New Jersey, live the Wilsons, a very happy pair. As Arthur comes home from his business at six o'clock, he is met by the smiling face of his wife, who holds in h^r arms a crowing, bright-faced, chubby boy, who is just beginning to say "Papa," a linguistic feat that is usually hailed with intense satisfaction by young parents, but the exact period of whose satisfactory accomplish- ment is not so well defined to the ear of a disinterested person. Sometimes Mrs. Wilson complains that it is unfair for him always to kiss Baby before he kisses the mother, but there never was a family without its little differences. Wilson is no longer possessed with desire for great wealth. The lessons of experience have sunk deeply, and his constant reflection now is that plenty is enough for any man. AN IRON CROWN. 545 In a secluded valley in the Rocky Mountains by the side of a clear rushing stream stands a solitary cabin. Its tenant is a ranchman who sells his produce in the neighboring min- ing camps. He lives alone in the simple manner of a moun- taineer. His robust frame is slightly bowed though he is still a young man, and his fine face has an expression of habitual thoughtfulness. He has no intimate friends, though a man known far and wide for his hospitality and his habitual kindness alike to stranger or friend. In his bronzed counte- nance, which is half concealed by heavy whiskers and shaded by a huge sombrero, the observant eye may recognize our old friend Tom Norwell. 35 NOTES TO AN IRON CROWN. OPINIONS OF NOTED MEN. Lesl some may think that the author of this work is needlessly alarmed at the dangers to free government threatened in the growing abuses of corporate power, the following utterances of eminent men are given in evidence. They are only a few out of hundreds of similar import which might be adduced. "I am persuaded that the next great question to be confronted will be that of corporations and their relations to the interests of the people and to national life. The fear is now entertained by many of our best men that the National and State Legislatures of the Union, in creating these vast corporations have evoked a spirit which may escape and defy their conti-ol, and which may wield a power greater than Legislatures themselves." Jas. A. Garfield. House of Represe.ntatives, Dec. i6, 1869. " Complaints have latelv been numerous and urgent that certain corporation*, controlling in whole or in part tiie facilities for the inter- state carriage ot persons and merchandise, over the great railroads of the country, have resorted in their dealings with the public to divers measures unjust and oppressive in their character." Message of President Arthur, Dec. 4, 1883. " Great corporations and consolidated monopolies are fast seizing the avenues of power that lead to the control of the government. It is an open secret that they rule states through procured legislatures and corrupted courts; that they are strong in Congress; and that they are unscrupulous in the use of means to conquer prejudice and acquire influence. This condition of things is truly alarming, for unless it be changed quickly and thoroughly, free institutions are doomed to be subverted by an oligarchy resting on a basis of money and corporate power." Hon. David Davis, Ex-Associate justice of U. S. Supreme Court. "All public men must take their sides on this question. There can be no neutrals. He that is not for us is against us. We must have legal protection against these abuses. This agitation once begun, and the magnitude of the grievance being understood, it will force our rulers to give us a remedy against it. The monopolists will resist with all their ?rts and influences, but fifty millions of people in process of time will l&arn that they are tifty millions strong." Hon. J. S. Black, * Ex- Attorney General of the United States. (546) NOTES TO AN IRON CROWN. 547 " The channels of thought and the channels of commerce thus owned by one man or a body of men, what is to restrain corporate power or fix a limit to its exactions on the people? What is there to hinder these men from depressing or inflating the value of all kinds of prop- ertj' to suit their caprice or avarice, and tliereby gathering into their own coffers the wealth of the nation? Wh;it shall be said of the spirit of a free people who will submit without protest to be thus bound, hand and foot?" Hon. Wm. Windom, Ex- Secretary of Treasury of U. S. " In my judgment, the republic can not long live in the atmosphere which now surrounds the ballot box. Moneyed corporations to secure favorable legislation for themselves are taking an active part in elections by furnishing large sums of money to corrupt the voter and purchase special privileges from the government. If money can control the decision of the ballot box, it will not be long till it can control its existence." Message of Gov. Gray, of Indiana. In contrast with the above, read the following remarkable utterance of William Walter Phelps, a m.illionaire Congressman from New Jer- sey, in his speech on the Reagan Inter-State Commerce Bill, as pub- lished in the Congressional Record of Dec. 12, 1884. If he speaks the sentiment of railroad men, their attitude on this question is certainly plain enough. It is an open defiance of the people, and a challenge of their right to make their own laws. "The railways, if these restrictions should become laws, will osten- tatiously break them all. That will challenge public attention, and public attention is redress. Or they will issue an order that the whole railroad system shall obey, that every locomotive from sea to sea shall stay in its roundhouse." When that edict goes forth, let the people issue another, abrogating the charter of every railroad in the United States. NOTE I. THE MUSSEL SLOUGH TRAGEDIES. " It is not surprising that another tragedy has been added to the dark history of the Mussel Slough country. It is simply another chapter in the old story of the conflict of might against right; of a long succession of deep and deadly injuries ripening in a harvest of blood ; of the oppressed striking at the oppressors; of the victims of injustice and cruelty turning, , as even a worm will turn, and stinging the feet that trample on them.' It has been so in every land under the sun, and will be so long as the world lasts. Traced to its source, the bitter enmities engendered flow from greed and avarice. The conflict is simply one wherein organized wealth has sought to rob the settler of his home for the railroads will pillage the farmer of his house and lands as readily as they rob the mer- chant and tradesman. Everything is fish which comes to the railroad 54S NOTES TO AN IKON CROWN. net. It is not necessary for the ' Examiner' to relate the iiistory of these contests. They are familiar . to the people of the State. Such robberies have been so common as to have lost even the semblance of novelty. * * * "Two men, McAuliffe and Riley, were the other day put in pos- session, as railroad tenants, of settler Cockrell's property. Yesterday McAuliffe was found dead, shot through the heart." — San Fraiiciico Examiner^ Nov. 13, 1883. See also the powerful story by C. C. Post, " Driven from Sea to Sea," page jo, on Iowa case. Also page 322, et seq. on Southern Pacific case alluded to above. NOTE II. COST OF THE PACIFIC RAILROADS AND THEIR SUBSIDIES. The Report of the House Judiciary Committee, which investigated this subject in connection with the Credit Mobilier, showed these facts in connection with the three sub-contracts for building the Unipn Pacific. Actual cost to Credit Mobilier: Hoxie Contract $ 7,806,183.33 Ames " 27,285,141.99 Davis " 15,629,633.62 $50,720,958.94 Charged to Union Pacific Railroad Company by Credit Mobilier: Hoxie Contract $12,974,416.24 Ames " 57,140,102.94 Davis " 23,431,768.10 $93,546,287.28 Difference (profits) 4 2,825,328.34 To which add $1,104,000 for 58 miles already paid for. . . . 1,104.000.00 Total steal $43,929,328.34 The Contract and Finance Company, composed of C. P. Hunting- ton, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, E. B. Crocker, and Mark Hop- kins, built the Central Pacific from Sacramento east. Although they escaped Congressional investigation, there is no doubt that they employed like methods with similar profitable results. Their profits have been estimated in the following manner. The actual cost of the Union Pacific was $50,000,000, length, 1,008 miles (allowing the Company's own excessive figures, which are about double what they should be.) The Central Pacific, which is 150 miles shorter, could not have cost more. Therefore, credit the Central Pacific with that amount. Charge the Credit and Finance Company' with the following: U.S. Subsidy bonds Central Pacific $25,885,120 " " " Western " absorbed by Central Pacific 1,970,560 First mortgage bonds. Act of '64 28,000,000 Stock Central Pacific 54,000,000 Land Bonds ." 10,000,000 $119,855,680 NOTES TO AN IRON CROWN. 549 Here 5s a clear profit on construction iilone of over $69,000,000. The profits of this road are ordinarily about $10,000,000 per year. The combined wealth of all these men befo's they bej^an the building of the Central Pacific Road was less than $100,000. Was there ever a greater gift to any bo ly of men or to any corporation, since the dawn of history ? SUMMARY. The Pacific Railroad construction transactions may be summarized as follows: 2,000 miles of roads, at the companv's excessive figures of $50,000 per mile cost $ ico,ooo,ooo, but in reality not over $55,000,000. The company received to pay for this : U. S. bonds $55,000,000 Their own first mortgage bonds 50,000,000 Stock which the law required to be sold at par, but for which they did not pay over 30 cents on the dollar (in fraudu- lent contracts) , 90,000,000 Land bonds, 2 1 ,000,000 acres 20,000,000 $215,000,000 Profit (steal) $160,000,000 The above estimate gives land bonds at $20,000,000, while, in fact, the lands were worth from $1 to $6 per acre, or a total of, say, $70,000,000 at $3.50 per acre. It is reasonable, therefore, to estimate the entire Pacific Railroad steal, in all its crooked phases, at two hundred and ten million dollars. THE PACIFIC LAND GRANTS. " Independent of the postponement of our vast debt to a private debt, we gave them, as the judiciary committee show in their report, coal lands alone, as their directors say, larger than all the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania. We gave them 21,000,000 acres of land, or over 33,000 square miles, more territory than is contained in the six States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jer- sey and Delaware, all of this vast domain being within twelve miles of a trans-continental railroad." — Speech of ^^.'^ktov^ Beck. WHAT THE PACIFIC RAILROAD .STOCK IS. "This ninety millions of stock, claiming dividends, standing between the companies and tlieir obligations to the government, does not repre- sent one dollar nor the phantom of a dollar. If it represents anvthmg, it is simply an arbitrary profit upon fraudulent contracts. The assump- tion that it is actual capital is a bare, naked assumption, without a fig- leaf covering of fact." — Speech 0/ Senator Booth. And yet it has paid as high as fifteen per cent, annual dividends. the credit mobilier by one who knows. Question. Then what j)urpose had you to propose to build a road 1^50 NOTES TO AN IRON CROWN. ttiat had already been built by the company at a cost to them of less than the amount mentioned in 3'our proposition?* Answer. We were identical in interest. The Credit Mobilier and the Union Pacific Railroad were the same identical parties; we were hiiilding it for ourselves, by ourselves, and among ourselves; there was not $20,000 outside in it. I. M. S. WiLLIAMS.f NOTE III. CORRUPTION MONEY. Jay Gould's testimony before a New York legislative investigating committee, 1873: « " I do not know how much I paid toward helping friendly men. We had four Slates to look after, and we had to suit our politics to circum'^tances. In a Democratic district I was a Democrat; in a Repub- lican district I Avas a Republican; and in a doubtful district I -\vas doubtful; but in every district and af all times, I have always been an Erie man." Further investigation in the same direction developed the fact that the Erie Railroad Company paid out in one rear o>tc iiiillion dollars for corrupt purposes. Testimony before a committee of the New York Constitutional Convention. Edwin D. Worcester, sworn: I am treasurer of the New York Central Railroad Company, and have been for two years; was assistant tieasurer for two years previous. ^iicsfio)!. Do you know of the New York Central Railroad Com- panv paying out considerable amounts of money during the sessions of legislation.'' Answer. Yes, considerable amounts of money. ^ues. I think you have succeeded in procuring legislation for two or three years past. Atis. Yes, we succeeded in getting the legislation. ^iies. Were the expenses attending the application paid by the president of the road.? Ans. I can state the amount of money he had; the whole amount was $205 000. .^lus. How are the items or entries made in your books with refer- ence to the expenditure of this $205,000.'' Alts. There were no entries made with regard to these disburse- ments. The Supreme Court record at Washington shows (I am told) in Vol. II., Transcript Rec. 1S77, that one Joseph B. Stewart, a lobbyist, states with reference to the Pacific Railroad legislation of 1S64, that he received two liimdred and fifty $1,000 railroad construction bonds, to be used to "further the purposes which the railroad company desired to forward in Washington." *Tho allusion, "road already built " refers to a larg^e portion already built which was counted in a new contract, and paid for a secotid time. ■fOne of the contractors before a Committee of the House of Representatives. NOTES TO AN IRON CROWN. 55I NOTE IV. THE POOR OF NEW YORK. In one front and rear building covering a lot 25 by 95 feet, were found 258 persons. In three rooms, two of which Aveie mere closets, without windows or openings into the halls, twenty-five persons wer^ living. In another case, a family consisting of fatlier, mother and four children, took in fourteen boarders, though occupying but three rooms. A family of five were discovered in a filthy cellar, whicli they shared with fitteen geese. — Report of Sanitary Aid Society of Tenth Ward, New York, Apijii, 18S5. NOTE V. BUSINESS OR GAMBLING .'' " Let any one visit the exchanges and look on for a few minutes for himself; no gamblijis^ hell in any part of the world will show a madder throng, or more passionate playing. This was fortnerly true only of the stock exchange, but it is becoming more and more the leading feature of the several trade exchanges, and shows the character of the business therein transacted." — A^. T. Journal of Commerce. FICtlTIOUS SALES OF PETROLEUM. " Less than 25,000,000 barrels of petroleum were produced la>t year; yet there were seven billion, one hundred and eighty-one million barrels sold upon the two petroleum exchanges of tiiis city, and the one at Pittsburgh. Ttie transactions were iwo hundred and eighty-seven times greater than the year's yield, or, in other words, for every barrel of crude oil pro- duced, 2S7 barrels were sold." — ^Justice. — N. 7'. fan. 24, 18S5. NOTE VI. BREACH OF FRIENDSHIP. Lest the betrayal of Mr. Norwell by Ophir may seem extravagantly unnatural, the reader is referred to several similar conspicuous cases, whicli have actually occurred, and wliich have been carried to the courts for adjustment. For obvious reasons the names of the litigants are not mentioned here, but the reader who is conversant with such matters will at once recall them. NOTE VII. accumulation of wealth. It has Iieen estimated by a newspaper writer that the combined wealth of all the men worth a million dollars or over gives an equivalent of twenty thousand inillionaires in the United States, and that, as the average wealth of all citizens is only $1,000, fox each millionaire, there must be i,oco people who have nothing, and for twenty thousand million- 1^52 NOTES TO AX IRON' CROWN. aires some tivrvfy million pauper!^, supposing the remaining wealth dis- tributed as far as it would go at the rate ot" $i,ooo per person. Of these fortunes twenty average one hundred milliotis each. NOTE VIII. VENALITY OF LEGISLATORS. Theodore Roosevelt, in the Century Magazine for April, 18S5, esti- mates that one-third of all the members of our state legislatures are open to bribery in some form or other. He bases this estimate chiefly on his long ol^ervation as a member of the Legislature of New York. NOTE IX. i BOGUS DIVIDENDS. The men who controlled the Wabash system, some years ago, paid from their own pockets (if the newspaper press is to be credited) divi- dends which the road iiad never earned, in order to advance the stock of the company far beyond its real value, and enable them to unload it on an unsuspecting public. The managers of this swindle secured through it many millions of dollars. NOTE X. ARBITRARY CHANGES OF RATES. June 24, 1S84 — Special class, grain, flour, etc., 20 cents; seventh class and live hogs, 25 cents; eighth class, 25 cents; ninth class, 30 cents. July 21, 1884 — Special class, grain, etc., 25 cents; seventh class and live hogs, 30 cents; eighth class, 25 cents; ninth class, 35 cents. Tliis is an advance of three cents per bushel on wheat. If the rail- roads could carry grain from Chicago to New York for twenty cents per Jmndred in June, why could they not do the same in July.'' Their ans- wer, if they chose to give one, would be a series of evasions and specious reasons existing only in their own minds. The real reason for the advance is, they know they have the power to get it ^ and if pressed foi explanations, Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt or Mr. Huntington would prob- ably reply in the language of Boss Tweed, " What are you going to do about it.? " CHANGES OF RATES IN EUROPE.. In England every railroad company is obliged to place a book of rates in every station. This book must remain open to public inspection. In Prussia six weeks notice must be given before any change of rales goes into effect. DO RAILROADS EVER LOWER FREIGHT CHARGES VOLUNTARILY.' "The Bee (Omaha) vouches for the fact that freight rates in some parts of Nebraska are higher than In 1879. The people of Butler and Polk counties alone could have saved two hundred thousand dollars, if their wheatand corn could have been cariicd this vear (1SS4) at the snnie rates as in 1879. I" ^^e case of a cattle shipment it mentions, the rate in NOTES TO AX IRON CROWN. 553 Nebraska was $-12.85 per car for one hundred miles, while the same sliip- ment was charged, on its way through Iowa and Illinois, but tiine dollars per car tbr'one hundred miles." — Chicago Tribune^ Dec, 1884. NOTE XI. ARBITRARY POWER OF CORPORATIONS. "A committee of tlie United States Senate reported six years ago, that, even at that time, the men who controlled tlie four great trunk lines between New York and Cliicagn, could, by a single stroke of the pen, reduce the value of property in this country by hundreds of millions of dollars. * * * No Congress would dare to exercise so vast a power except upon a necessity of the most imperative nature." —N. r. Times, Dec. 6, 1S80. TAXES ON INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. " Every quarter of a'cent decline in the price of wheat means a loss in the marketable value of the wheat crop of the country of one million dollars, and within a few days tlie value of the wheat crop lias decreased well on to twenty millions of dollars. But railroad rates remain substan- tially the same as one year ago, when wheat fetched one dollar per bushel in Chicago, and in many cases, as we have shown, they are higher than they were. "When the railroads have had good years they have doubled their stock, as the Rock Island did a few vearsago; or they have accumulated a surplus, like that of the North Western, which now amounts to thirty millions; or they have stretched half svay across the continent, like the Burlington. When there come bad years, like those now upon us, the railroads insist that the poor farmer shall continue to make good all this pile of Wall street fictions. He must go on paying dividends on all the capitalization of all the locomotives, cars, and rails the roads ever had, although a larger part of them have since been worn out. ***** Wall street has planted itself on what it fondly believed to be its impregnable power to extort whatever it wanted, ' Only over our roads and on our terms shall you market your produce.' " — Chicago Tribune, Dec, 1884. IS THERE ANY REAL COMPETITION BETWEEN RAILROADS.? It might be well for those guileless innocents who think that rail- roads do really compete with one another, to reflect that the entire United States is accurately subdivided and assigned to several great pools, such as the "Eastern Pool," the "Western Trunk Line Association," the " bouthwestern Pool," the " Southern Pool," the " Pacific Pool," which includes the Pacific Mail Steamship Company navigating the Pacific Ocean, which latter pond, supposed to belong to mankind in general, has lately been discovered to be the private property of Huntington, Stan- ford, Crocker & Co. These pools are controlled by Albert Fink and his associate " high joints" of the commission. He is the great mogul who dictates to 55,- 000,000 of people Just what they shall pay for every pound of freight fetched or carried. 554 NOTES TO AN IRON' CROWN. Hon Charles A. Sumner, of California, in a speech delivered in the House of Representatives, Jan. 7, 18S5, tabulates the Pacific railroad properties as lollows: Companies controlled by the Union Pacific 56 " " " " Central '• 33 " " U. P. & C. P. jointly 4 " " " " C.P.Huntington 12 Total 105 Does this look like competition .' Dillave, five years ago, estimated that Gould, Vanderbilt, Garrett, the Pennsylvania railroad, and one or two other interests controlled six hun- dred millions of the railway capital of the country. In a few years, doubt- less, the total will be a thousand millions absolutely in the hands of four or five men. Furthermore, they can, by traffic arrangements, control, almost completely, perhaps twice as much more. Are they not truly uncrowned kings.' It may be urged that these great interests are cofn- fetiiive. At times they are; but that the}' can combine in a manner dangerous to the liberties of the people is only too well evidenced in the building up of the monstrous Standard Oil Company monopoly. Every reader interested in this subject, should read the debates on the Reagan " Inter-State Commerce Bill.'* See Cong. Rec, session of 84-85. NOTE XII. THE MINING INDUSTRY. One of the principal mining men of Utah recently declared that: " ' With the present low rates foi- lead, and high rates of transportation we might as well turn our ores right over to the railroad companies.' This was by no means an exaggerated statement of the condition of aflairs in Utah, and matters have long been worse in Nevada. Hundreds of good mines adjacent to the line of the Central Pacific Railroad are idle to-day as they have been for years, because the rates for transporting ores to San Francisco, Salt Lake, or other points where facilities for reduction could be obtained, were too high to leave the mine owner any adequate coin- ]iensation for his toil and risk in prospecting for ore, extracting it from the mine, and hauling it to the railroad. The railroad will not fix a price per ton for hauling ores; it must have a percentage — 'all the goods will bear.'" — Virgiiiia {Nev^^ Chro7iide, Dec, 1884. NOTE XIII. STAND AND DELIVER. These statements are no hyberbole, but disagreeable facts. The maxim " Charge all the traflic will bear," is one that railroad men are dis- posed to adopt whenever they dare. Instance the sczmtyfive fo72 46 $10,141,218 00 These rebates enabled the Standard Oil Co. to undersell, drive out of business and ruin all their competitors. On the theory that the officers of railroad companies divide this swag with the recipient, is it not easy to explain why railroad officials get rich, in answer to Judge Agnew s question in Note 20? >^US- ^^mmm '■^m'-^.M^^^PI a. t