New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-24
JOAQUIN MILLER IN WALL STREET


THE POETS RISK AND FALL AS SPECTATOR
From The Norember Californian.
Last spring received letter from the editor OF
the chief London magazine asking me to write HIM
AN article to be entitled A Week in Wall Street,
knew nothing whatever of Wall Street then.
resolved, however, To obge my friend. went
into Wall Street at once 10 get the desired nlora-
tion and experience.
This was SIX months ago. have just got back.
have not yet written line of that article. But
have material enough co write q book bigger than
Macaulav's " History OF England | know all
want to know about Wall Street, And, IT yOu VIII
pardon DEPRESSION, may add that am getting
bald-headed.
Finding but little interest in this great maestrom of
excitement without taking part under the advice or
my broker bought little Wabash. bought Wa
bash because it the first stock on the list when
| could distinguish from the mass of two hundred
names. And | came 10 remember lt because iad
been born on Its banks. as 1t were. Indeed on the
very banks OF the Wabash River | have seen my
father furrow the field for corn in the spring, while
my mother followed after, dropping the corn IN the
furrow: while three little boys toddled after, nv
self of the number and covered the grain tnat lay
IN the little squares OF the mellow earth. ANA 20 IL
was with touch CT tenderness that 6onght
Wabash, and became one OF the eager party noldlng
on To the tape watching, waiting the turn OF for
She did not betray me. My stock began to move
inward from the first. 10 not so dull now.
How interesting it all was! called the click or the
flicker the pulse and heartbeat of the nation II
the land healthy and prosperous, the pulse peat
high and buOyant. Ii the land was threatened with
drOuth short crops, misfortune OF any KIND, the
pulse was low, feyerish aud dull. 1t was like a
poem. en,,
bey ond "A sentiment. | was part owner In the
one hundred thousand miles of railways In America
From that day forth studied the geography OF my
country as never before. My little uptown room III
the fourth story was lined with maps OF American
railways. In less than week could quote the
opening closing prices OF nall the STOCK on the
How patiently held on to the tape along with
the other tiuld and hopeful little amns We would
exchange opinions, encourage edch other ana lay
great plans for the future. We became very conn
Dental our little knot around that ticker" and
when one Of our set lost money he had our honest
sympathy. They were pleasant days, these hrst Tor
stocks went up steadily, and 1t seemed at last, when
and where had least expected IT, was to make a
fortune without either care or toll am perfectly
certain that IN those few weeks grew To De bet
ter man.
ten thousand dollars. had not invested so many
hundred What scribe had ever been so fortunate
Stocks still advanced. 1t seemed as II they would
never stop going up.
sat down and tried for days TO decide what to
do C0oily. deliberately, and after as much aud as
mature thouqh as an capable of, | went back to
Wall Street with my money. mad no use Tor Ten
thousand dollars had great use Tor MY thousahu
hug myself IN satisfaction now, TO remember that
thought not 30 much of myself as or my iriehds
at this tlme | could get on with That sum well.
But away out on the great, gold shore OF tne vast
west sea | wanted 10 build home-a city' wOuid
gather about me the dear spirits Ot Od In some
sweet spot where there were woods ana cool waters
a warm sun and prollhc SOIL we "oulu llee5 ahd
build a city-a city of refuge-where every Bohe-
mian might come and have home, rest peace,
plenty, so long he or she should i've or care TO
stay. 1 even drew up plan OF my city' ana framed
few brief laws for It's government. Damed It
Utopia, -.
On returning TO Wall Street chose three different
hroEers-on. bullp house one q bar house.
and one a - conservative house. by this hoped
TO get all sorts of opinions got them.
With my q" bears" sold st. Paul short There
vas talk Of rust prasshoppes rams. floods. 81 Paul
would tumble ~ tho "sntre. Ii mad already adj