Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-08-11

chambers of the Inquisition where
the Judges calmly put their victim to
the question, until all his spasms
warned them not to exceed the limits
of human ealdlrance. At last the
public dfstfess reached the ears of the
Government at Washington. While
it was simply the gamblers of Wall
street who We're tearing each other,
their claflor for relief excited little
sympathy. When, however, the suf-
fering had extended through all the
legitimate business circles of the coun-
try--when the scarcity of money
threatened to cut Off the winter food
of the poor, to rob the farmer of the
fruits of his toll, and to bring ruin
upon half of the debtor class of the
I communication even Mr. McCul-
lOch, pledged as he was to contraction
ton, was moved TO interfere. The
very revenues of the Government
were affected by the operations of
gamblers. They were therefore in
formed that. if necessary, 100000
Of additional currency would be forth
coming to the relief of the communi-
ty, and then, and not till then, were
the screws loosened.
The harvest of the spectators, how
ever, was still but half gathered
Hitherto the combination had opera
ted for fall. Now was the moment
to change their tactics and take adj
vantage of the rise. The time was
calculated to a nicely. The London
infatuatiOn had continued wonderful
ly, and as fast as certificates of stock
were issued they seemed to take wings
J across the Atlantic. Yet there was a
limit even to English eredulity, and
/ in November it became evident that
/ the agents of foreign houses were sell
( ing their stock to arrive. The price
T was about 40; the certificates might
I be expected by the steamer of the 2}d.
I Instantly the combination changed
+ front. As before they had depressed
+ the market, they now ran it up, and
almost rs if by magic, the stock,
which had been heavy at 10, astOnish-
cd every one by shooting up to So
I New developments We're evidently at
hand.
f At this point Mr.. Daniel Drew once
more made his appearance on the
stage. As was very natural, he had
soon wearied of the sameness of his
Z part as a mere locker on in Wall street,
and had relapSed into his old habits.
He was 10 longer treasurer of the
Erie, and could not, therefore, invite
the public to game, while he himself
with sOmber piety shook the loaded
dice. But it had become with him a
second nature to operate in Erie, and
once more he was deep in its move
ments. At first he had combined with
his old friends, the present directors,
in their "lOcking-up" conspiracy. He
had agreed to assist them to the extent
of s., ,O0O,O 600. The vacillating, timid
nature Of the man, however, could
not keep pace with his more daring
and determined associates, and, after
embarking Sl,000,0OO, becoming
alarmed at the success of the joint
operations and the remonstrances of
those who were threatened with ruin,
he withdrew his funds from the oper-
atoTs' control and himself from their
councils. But though he did not care
to run the risk or incur the odium he
had no sort of objection to sharing
the spOils. Knowing, therefore, or
suppOsing that he knew, the plan of
campaign, and that plan jumping
with his own bearish inclinations, he
continued, on his own account, opera
tions looking to afall. One may easily
conceive the wrath of the Erie opera
tors at such a treacherous policy; and
it is not difficult to imagine their vows
of vengeance. Meanwhile all went
well with Daniel Drew. EIie looked
worse and worse, and the golden har-
vest seemed drawing near. By the
middle of November he had contract
Il q
thousand shares at current prices, av-
eraging perhaps, IS, and probably
Was counting his gains. He did not
appreciate the full power and resour-
ceS of his old associates. On the l4th
of November their tactics changed,
and he found himself involved in ter
Tible entanglements-cOrn hope
lessly cornered. His position dis
closed itself on Saturday. Naturally
the first impulse was to have recourse
to the courts. An injunctiOn-a dOZ-
en- injunctiOns-could be had for the
asking, but, unfortunately, could be
had by both parties. Drew's own re-
cent experience, and his intimate ac-
quaintance with the characters of
Fisk and Gould, were not calculated
to inspire him with much confidence
in the efficacy of the law. But moth
ing else remained, and, after hurried
consultations among the victims, the
lawyers were applied to, the atfidavits
were prepared, and it was decided to
repair on the following Monday to the
so-called courts of justice.
Nature, however, had not bestowed
on Daniel Drew the steady nerve and
sturdy gamblers pride of either Van
derbilt or his old companions at Jer-
sey City. His mind wavered and
hesitated between different courses of
action. His only care was for himself,
his only shought was of his own posi-
ton. He was willing to betray one
party or the other, as the case might
be. He had given his affidavit to
those who were to bring the suit on
the Monday, but he stood perfectly
ready to employ Sunday in betraying
their counsels TO the defendants in the
suit. a position more contemplate,
a state of mind more pitiable, can
hardly be conceived. After passing
the night in this abject condition, OH
the morning of Sunday he sought out
Mr.. Fisk for purposes of self-humilia-
ton and treachery. He then PARTIAL
ly revealed the difficulties of his situ-
alton, only to have his confidant
prove to him how entirely he was
caught by completing to him the rev.
elation. He betrayed the st crets of
his new allies, and bemoaned his own
hard fate; he was thereupOn comfort
ed by Mr.. Fisk with the CHEEKY re-
mark that she Drew was the last
man who ought to whine over any
position in which he placed himself
in regard to Erie" The poor man
begged to see Mr.. Gould, and would
take no denial. Finally Mr., Gould
was brought in, and the scene was
repeated for his edification. The two
must have been satiated with revenge.
At last they sent him away, promis-
ing to see him again that evening
At the hour named he again appeared,
and, after waiting their convenience
for they spared him no humiliation
he again appealed to them, offering
them great sums if they would issue
new stock or lend him their stock
He implored, he argued, he threaten
ed. At the end of two hours of
humiliation, persuaded that it was all
in vain, that he was wholly in the
power of antagonists without mercy,
he took his hat, said al will bid you
good night" and went his way.
There is a touch of nature about the
scene which seems like fiction. In
deed, it irresistibly recalls the feebler
pffOrt of Dickens to DOrtraV FaOanis |