The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-20
CHAPTER XVI.
WITH THE BARBARIc HOSTS.

pores, ana Il, noeeo, frequently unuc-
tceted. Thus. the descent of the Barbara
ans upon a decadent people is little tour
de force that has been performed again and
again since the oldest day. But because the
assault nowadays is made not with force
OF arms we are prone 20 believe it is no
longer made at alias If human ways had
changed a bit since those ugly hairy
tribes from the northern forests descended
upon the Roman empire. And yet the mere
difference that the assault is now made
with force of money i'm no way alters the
process nor does it permit the result to
vary. On the surface all is cordiality and
peaceful negotiation. Beneath is the same
immemorial strife. the life-and-death
struggIe-pitiless. memorable
What would have been a hostile bivouac
within the city's gates but for the matter
of few centuries, is now, to select an ex-
ample which remotely concerns Us. noble
structure on Riverside drive. facing the
lordly Hudson and the majestic Palisades
that form its farther wall. And, for the
horde of Goths and visigoths, Huns and
Vandals. drunkenly Keeling In the fitful
light OF camphres, chanting weird battle
runes, ignting for captive vestals, and
pickering in uncouth tongues over the gol-
den spoils what have we now to make the
parallel convince? Why, the same Barbara
ans. actually: the same hairy rudeness, the
same unreined, aIl-conquering. animal
force; q red-faced. big-handed lot, imbued
with hearty good nature and an easy toler-
ance for the ways of those upon whom
they have descended.
Here are chiefs OF renown from the
farthest Businesses; they and their curious
households: the ironmonger from Pitts
burg, the goldminer from Dawson, the
copper chief from Butte, the silver chief
from Denver. the cattle chief from Okla
homa, lord OF three hundred thousand
good acres and thirty thousand cattle. the
lumber prince from Michigan, the founder
Of a later dynasty in oil. from Texas. And,
for the unaesthetic but effective Attila. an
able fashioner of pork products from Chi
cago.
Here they make festival, carelessly, I'M
afraid, unmolested For in the lapse Of
time. the older peoples have learned not
only the folly of resisting inevitables, but
the huge and hairy invaders may be
Doubtless 1t often results from this amity
that the patrician strain is corrupted by
the alien admixture-but business has been
business since many two persons met
on the face Of the new earth.
For example. this particular shelter is
builded upon land which of the patri-
clan families had held for a century solely
because it could not be disposed OF. Yet
the tribesmen came. clamoring for pal
aces. and now this same land, with some
adjoining areas OF trihing extent. produces
an income that will suffice to maintain
that family almost in its ancient and be-
fitting estate.
In this mammoth pile. for the petty
rental of ten fifteen thousand dollars
year, many tribes of the invaders have
found shelter and entertainment in apart
Inents of many rooms. Outwardly. in de-
tails of ornamentation, the building Is said
to duplicate the Chateaux Blois, those
splendid palaces of Francis /. Inside are
all the line and color and device of elegant
opulence. modern to the last note.
To this palace of an October evening
comes the tribe of Bines, and many an
other such. for triumphal feast in the
abode OF Barbarian Silas Higbee. The car
riages pass through a pair of lordly iron
gates, swung from massive stone pillars
under arch of wrought iron with it's an
tique lamp. and into the echoing courtyard
fianked by trim hedges of box.
Alighting, the barbaric guests of Higbee
are ushered through a marble-walled vesti-
bule, from which a wrought iron and
bronze screen gives way to the main en-
trance hall. The ceiling here reproduces
that Of a feudal castle in Rouen, with
some trining and effective touches of deco
ration In blue, scarlet and gold. The walls
are Of white Caen stone, with ornate win
dows and balconies jutting out above. In
one corner is a stately stone nantel with
richly carved hood, bearing in its central
panel the escutcheon OF the gallant
French monarch. Up little flight of mar
bic steps, guarded by it's hand-rail of
heavy metal, shod with crimson velvet, one
reaches the elevator. This pretty Enclosure
Of iron and glass, of classic detail in the
period of Henry III. of Circassian walnut
trim. with crotch panels, has more the as
pcct OF boudoir than elevator The deep
seat is OF walnut. upholstered with fat
cushions OF crimson velvet edged in duh
gold galloon. Over the seat is a mirror cut
into small squares by wooden muntins At
each side are electric candles softened by
red silk shades. Ones last view before the
door closes noiselessly is of bay window
opposite, set with cathedral glass case
ment lights, which sheds soft colors upon
the hall bench of carven stone and upon
the tesselated floor.
The door to the Higbee domain Is of pol
ished mahogany, set between lights OF an
tique verte Italian glass. and bearing an
ancient brass knocker. From the reception
room, with its walls of green empire silk,
enc passes through a foyer hall, of Cor
low leather hangings, TO the drawing
room with its three broad windows. Oppo-
site the entrance to this superb room is a
mantel OF carved Caen stone, faced with
golden Pavanazza marble. with old Ro-
man andirons Of gold ending in the feur-
de-lis. The walls are hung with blue Flor
entine silk. embossed in silver. Beyond a
bronze grill Is the music room. library
done In Austrian oak with strained burlap
paneied by duIl-forged nails, a conserva-
tory, billiard room, a smoking room. This
latter has walls of red damask and a man.
tel with Post Tenebras Lux cut into one
OF Its marble panels-a legend at which
the worthy lessee or all this splendor is
wont often to glance with respectful in
terest.
The admirable host-if one be broad
minded-is now In the drawing room. sec
onding his worthy wife and pretty daugh-