The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-09-29

The lest enemy, 1t least, was not to b
denied, and death was writing fast up.
on his pallid check The abdictation
which opposition had never been able
to compel.
Hartman faced his problems, clear
headed, serene and catholic to the
closing hour, There had never been
in his long life any deep disregard Of
public welfare or any forgetfulnes Of
bis personal obligation to associates
and friends or family. When the time
came to pas'the scepter and divide thu
empire or hold it intact for future
years, he did it bravely, graciously and
wisely in his own neat way.
Many great men have been mem
toned to succeed him. Many names
Of power close to his rule had been
written in the speculative prints to
grasp the scepter - it fsll from his
nerveles hand. The master builder
knew better than US all the one man
in al the world who was equipped to
hold the rein. No maudlin friendship
for his comrades, no selfish narrowness
for . perpetuated dynasty, tempted
him to forget the stability of his vast
properties or the safety of the business
world just soaring out ofpanic to pro-
sperity-that business world on which
he had builded al his power.
And 90, having provided carefully
among his physicians and his friends
against any premature injury to the
markets BY the untimely announce
ment of his death, dying but devoted,
body gone but mind triumphant to the
end-the master builder sent for the
master banker Of the age.
Edward Hartman summoned Pier.
pont Morgan.
No man save Pierpont Morgan
knows or ever will know, perhaps
what took place in that fatefal inter-
view, which passed from one man to
the other . greater empire than Cae.
sar or Alexander ever ruled.
What were the real terms, what
were the pledges and what were the
solemn words Of greeting and farewell
we can only speculate.
Morgan, dark and grim. huge Of
bulk and rudy with abiding health,
and Hartman, slender, pale and fra
gile, antithesis in body yet matched in
the immortal things of mind and
spirit-there alone on the sunlit ter
races Of Arden-these mighty figures
Of the republic-bargaining q finan-
cial kingdom amid the pale shadows Of
lowering death.
It would be difficult to paint or con.
ceive alscene 80 full of power and
pathos and suggestion as this real epic
of life and death and money in the
hills. Only l cannot fail to wonder
Is Pierpont Morgan, putting his great
black cigar, walked down the solemn
terraces back to this world city to o..
sumo the throne which had been left
him, whether there did not come along
with the swelling pluse and kindling
consciousness Of a new and vaster pow
er than he had ever known the haunt
ing memory Of the pale, passing king
dethroned-yea, and ofthat other and
mightier king never to be dethroned-
that gray, restless monarch of the sha-
dow before whom Pierpont Morgan
himself must bow in time,
and at whose relentless beckon
lug he, too, must relinquish his scepter
of gold to yet another, who in turn
must abdictate to death!
Sing once more, oh solemn bard, the
lines that epitaph our lives:
The boast heraldry, the promp of
power.
And ill that beauty, all that wealth
e'er gave
Await alike the inevitable hour.
The paths Of glory lead but to the
grave.
John Temple Graves.
The "Hyde % Land
According to an ancient law In Eng
land. - hyde Of land" included what
could reasonably be cultivated with