The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-28

vIII.-MORE OF DR.. SYX'S MAGIC.
after the meeting with Hall described in
the foregoing chapter, and before again
saw the Grand Teton very stirring events
had taken place.
AS the reader is aware, DR.. Syx's agree
ment with the various governments limit
ed the output Of his mine. An interna-
tional commission, continually in session
in New York, adjusted the differences
arising among the nations concerning fin
ancial affairs, and allotted to each the
proper amount of artemisium for coinage.
OF course, this amount varied from time
to time. but a fair average could easily
be maintained. The gradual increase OF
wealth in houses, machinery, manufac-
tured and artistic products called for a
corresponding increase in the circulating
medium: but this. too, was easily provid-
ed for. An equally painstaking supervi-
sion was exercised over the amount OF
the precious metal which DR.. Syx was per-
mitted to supply to the markets for use
in the arts. On this side, also, the de-
mand gradually increased; but the won-
derful Teton mine seemed equal to all
calls upon its resources.
After the failure of the mining opera
lions there was a moderate revival Of the
efforts to reduce the Teton ore, but no
success cheered the experimenters. Pros
pectors also wandered all over the earth
looking for pure artemisium. but in vain.
The general public, knowing nothing of
what Hall had discovered, and still believ-
ing Syx's story that he also had found
pure artemisium in his mine, accounted for
the failure OF the turneling operations on
the supposition that the metal, in free
state, was excessively rare, and that DR..
Syx had had the luck to strike the only
vein of ii that the Grand Teton contained.
AS IL to give countenance to this opinion,
Dr. Syn now announced. in the most public
manner, that he had been deceived again,
and that the vein Of free metal he had
struck being exhausted, no other had ap-
peared. Accordingly, he said. he must
henceforth rely exclusively. as in the be-
ginning, upon reduction of the ore.
Artemisium had proved itself an i'm
mense boon to mankind. and the new era
of commercial prosperity which it had
ushered in already exceeded everything
that the world had known in the past.
learned that human civili-
cation had taken five great strides. known
respectively. beginning at the bottom, as
the 'tage Of stone" the "age of bronze"
the "age Of iron." the "age of gold,' and
the "age Of artemisium.'
Nevertheless, sources of dissatisfaction
finally began to appear. and, after the
nature of such things, they developed
with marvellous rapidity. People began
to grumble about contraction Ct the cur
rency." In every country there arose a
party which demanded free money"
Demagogues pointed to the brief rel n of
paper money after the characterization of
gold as happy period, when the people
had enjoyed their rights. and the money
barons'-borrowing term from nine
teenth century history-were kept at bay.
Then came denunciations of the inter-
national commission fer restricting the
coinage. DR.. Syx was described as "a |
devilfsh sucking the veins Of the planet |
and holding it helpless in the grasp of |
his tentacular billions" In the United |
States meetings of agitators passed |
furious resolutions, denouncing the Gov |
eminent. assailing the rich. cursing Dr.. |
Syx. and calling upon the cpprG ssed" to