The record-union., 1891-07-18
WAS ALIVE YET DEAD.
Lost Fortune and Mind in a
Day.
Ruined by Panic In Wall Street,
Broker Disappears and for More
Than Three Years His Life Was an
Utter Blank-Found by His Wife.

There was a panic on Wall street, the
worst since "Black Friday" Fortunes
acquired by years of patient toll and
rigid economy had been swept away IN a
few hours. Men rated as millionaires
yesterday were beggars to-day. But only
those who have been in the whirlpool of
humanity that surges over the 1oor OF
the Stock Exchange can understand the
full meaning of the word, "a panic on
Wall street." Many of the Oldest and
strongest houses Lad gone down in the
storm and there was no prospect OF early
relief The rate of interest for money had
been going higher and higher, until the
figures reached were almost ruinous, and
then came the terrible announcement
that the banks would lend no more.
Money could not be obtained, and the
few traders who had been holding on in
vain hope Of relief from some quarter
must now throw their stocks on the
market at great loss and send prices
down with rush. Men lived years in a
few hours and strong indeed must be the
man, in mind and body, who could stand
the strain.
Among those who rushed to and fro, as
-
none seemed better fitted to bear the fear
full excitement than Philip Dryer, one Of
the youngest traders on the street. lie
had been a member of the Exchange less
than year, but in that brief time had
established a reputation as cautious and
skilltul trader that was valuable. He
took few great risks and made money
from the start. Dryer was handsome,
manly young fellow and very popular
on the street. He was usually cool and
collected, carefully calculating the chances
Of every deal before he closed it, but now
he seemed terribly excited. His face WAS
pale, his lips drawn and large drops Of
perSpiration stood on his forehead.
Anxiously he watched the quotations on
his favOrite stock, of which he was carry
ing large block. Little by little he saw
the price go down and down until the
limit Of his margins was almost reached.
Then, with his breath coming in quick
gasps, he gathered up his last batch Of
securities and hurried away TO his bank
ers to borrow more money.
There was more than the loss of fortune
at stake for Philip Dryer that day. Six
months before he had married the sweet
est and prettieSt girl in New York. His
bride was the daughter Of a wealthy re-
tired merchant and she had always been
accustomed TO a life Of luxury. He had
promised her on their wedding day that
she should never know a wish ungrati-
fed. He had purchased for her a beauti-
tul and costly home and had furnished it
with everything that wealth and good
taste could suggest. There was a bal
ance due on his home and the place was
mortgaged TO secure ii. The payment
would be due in lew days. \ few sue
cessful deals on the 5 Sock Exchange now
and he would have the money. But the
tide had set against him, the panic came
and all his fortune seemed about to be
swept away. II he lost on the present
ga-sI NasN 4
home would be sold and his fair young
wife turned into the street.
y more loans to-day" answered the
cashier briefly TO Philip Dryers appeal
Tor $4,000 10 tide him over the panic.
Mechanically the young broker turned
and made his way back TO the Exchange.
1T seemed TO him that dark cloud had
suddenly shut off the sunlight, but he
would go back; perhaps there had been a
turn OF The tide. He reached the floor Of
the Exchange at last, and then, as one
hears III a dream, he heard his own
failure on contracts announced and saw
all his holdings of stock closed out at auc-
ton. The hammer fell, the wild shouts
Of the pauic-stricken traders ceased. The
business Of the day was over, the closing
hour had arrived and scores of pale-taced
men staggered out into the open air to
breathe and think.
Philip Dryer stood in front of the Ex-
change few moments and then walked
slowly away from the scene OF his ruin.
All ms surroundings seemed SO changed
ne did not realize where he was. AS
man III trance might walk he went on
not knowing or caring where his foot
steps led. lie turned up Wall street
toward Trinity. The chimes Of the grand
old church suddenly pealed forth, but to
Philip Dryer they seemed to be the
voices Of demons shrieking in his ears.
lie hurried on to the river, and there he
Of n Gb alyrr
lined against the sky. Then he knew no
more. y mist was over his eyes-he
could not see. OF the past he remem-
bered nothing.
While walking from the Stock Ex-
change 10 North River the expression of
Philip Dryers face had so changed that
his dearest friend would not have recog-
nlZed nm. lie was no longer the same
man. In that brief half-hour Philip
Dryer had ceased 70 exist. lie was living,
yet dead. a new identity lived in his
brain and betrayed itself in the changed
face. The mental strain he had under
gone that day had proved too much fors
him, and Philip Dryer, the broker, in
mind, features and identity passed out of
existence. The newspapers Of the metrop-
Oils devoted many columns to the myS-
tcnouS disappearance Of Philip Dryer.
For time he divided attention with the
Wali-street panic. 1t was a strange case,
but the newspapers reasoned that he had
committed suicide on account of his fail
urc, and in time the public accepted their
conclusion. The Wall-street panic passed
into history and the Dryer disappearance
gave way to other sensations. The read
ing public demand frequent changes of
mental diet
IN time Philip Dryer, the once popular
young broker, was forgotten by all save
his wife. who mourned him us dead She,
tco, had at last been forced to accept the
conclusion OF the press, that iii a fit of de-
spOndeucy he had taken his own life
For weeks she visited the morgue every
time body was brought from the river,
put at last she gave up all hope of seeing
the loved face again. Griet viii wear it
self out in time, and finally Mrs. Dryer
put aside her mourning and Joined some
friends who were going West for a long
sojourn in California. Three years had
passed since her husband disappeared,
and while his body had not been found,
she was satisfied that be was dead. IN
the beautiful city of Pasadena, Cal, Mrs.
Dryer and her friends fingered for
months: They mingled in the best soci-
ety. ana the beautiful young widow was
soon great iavorite. Edward Parker, a
young and successful banker, was one of
the social leaders of Pasadena He was
handsome man, but there was something
IN the expression of his face that made
him seem Older than he was, 1t was
look that reSembled the trace of a great
sofToW, out IN tho gay manner of the
young panEer there was nothing to indi-
cate Ihat ne mad ever looked on any
save the bright side of life.
There was something about the face
and manner of Edward Parker that IN
ferested Mrs. Dryer more than she cared
10 admit, and he made scarcely am etTort
10 conceal the fact that he had haen in
love with her from the first time they