The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-04-18
Mr.. Van
RoCkagan
A Story of 1910
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

IL By F. A. mitchell
, Copyright by American Press Asso- ,
ID citation, 1911. y
Mr.. Van Rockagan alighted from his
carriage, went into his $50 story build
ing and assembled In his private eleva-
tor to his summer Office on the roof
Divans, Persian rugs, rosewood cabi-
nets inlaid with gold and jewels i'm
parted luxurious comfort, while the
air was redo.ent of tropical plants.
Mr.. Van Rockagan's name would
seem to denote mingling of Dutch
and German origin. 1t Is a cOmbina-
ton of several names. In the early
part Of the present century nearly all
the colossal fortunes held by individu-
ais were uLited by death, marriage
and other causes In one man, who,
when the union was consummated,
took the name of Van Rockagan. On
fortunately for the blessings that were
to be derived from placing all the
wealth in the United States In one
mans hands, the railroad interests had
been combined by similar process In
another person. This person always
wrote his name G. Harrihill
Mr.. Van Rockagan put his finger on
million dollar diamond which formed
the button of an electric bell, and a
page, whose triple rows of buttons
were blood red rubies, appeared.
Colonel Whistleton," said Mr.. Van
Rockagan.
The page made the eastern salaam
recently introduced into this country
by our wealthy classes for their serV-
ants and withdrew, and Colonel Whis-
Teton entered. He was in mutt.
Colonel" said Mr.. Van Rockagan,
81 hear that young Harrihill is about
to be married. Should he marry and
have children grave complication
would arise in the financial interests
of the United States"
Indeed" observed the colonel
what we have been working for for
more than half a century-yiz, to unite
all the property in the country under
one head-might be thwarted."
what does your commercial high
ness proposef"
ITO get hold of the person Of young
Harrihill.''
1.-THE courts, Mr.. Van Rockagan"-
Never mind the courts. That is a
department Of my operations in which
you have no concern. Ny chief at
torney will see that the courts do not
interfere. He will have an ample
fund for that purpose. What wish
you to do is to seize the person of
young Harrihill-in other words. kid
nap him and take him to my place in
the great Dismal swamp"
as he forewarned?''
mo. He has but a beggarly old
fashioned guard Of twenty detectives
in plain clothes. These he keeps con-
stantly about him"
Colonel Whistleton smiled. 'Fortu-
nately the world is ignorant of our
legion of thousand men that l can
call up in this building alone for your
commercial highness' protection"
You will find Mr.. Harrihill on his
estate in the mountains OF east Ten
nessee Go and capture him. Take
him to the swamp and report to me-"
Colonel Whistleton bowed low and
backed out of Mr.. Van Rockagan's
presence.
Young Harrihill was playing at golf
and just about to make a strike with
his ivory golf stick studded with jew
els when he suddenly caught sight Of
man emerging from a wood; then
another, then another, till men were
coming from every direction. His
bodyguard, who were scattered about,
rallied on him and fought nobly, but
without avail. They were surrounded
by ten times their number and were
put to fight Mr. Harrihill was seized
carried to the road, where an auto train
stood waiting, and carried away.
Within twelve hours he was a prisoner
In Mr. Van Rockagan's stronghold in
the great Dismal swamp.
The next morning Colonel Whistleton
appeared at his employers Office and,
having been admitted, reported that
his commercial highness' orders had
been carried out.
"Very nice" said Mr.. Van Rocka-
gan. "Now starve him."
"Starve him?" calculated the colonel.
Eyes, starye him. Did you not hearf'
"But, your commercial highness, that
would be murder"
Colonel" said Mr.. Van Rockagan.
'are you not aware that our ancestors
were merely robbers and murderers7
They not only robbed the Indians OF
their lands. but killed so many Of
them that they are now practically ex-
tinct But what splendid result!
/ am following our forefathers' exam
pie. Think of the blessings l can be-
stow upon our people when I shall
have become possessed Of all the
wealth in 1t! What is one life COM
pared with this desirable outcomeY'
"But do you not fear punishment"
"By whom?
"The law"
Il have become the law"
'SThe people win demand
"Nonsensel Do you suppose would
do what l have done before had en-
bodied the political machinery Of the
United States in myself"
A month passed. One day Colonel
whistleton was called for by his en-
ployer
"I thought" said Mr.. Van Rocka-
gan, 'that some time ago l gave you
an ordeET
"You did, your commercial highness,
and have endeavored to carry it out,
but something. know not what,
stands In the way. / have withdrawn
every particle of food from the pris-
Oner, but he loses no flesh"
Whom do you suspect of feeding
himY
''No one. have for weeks kept him
under my own surveillance and am
positive that no food has reached
him."
"Have you no explanation
"None whatever"
There must be some leak. Find it
and stop it with the mighty dollar"
The colonel shook his head
Come, come, this matter must be
attended to or it may fail. 1 do not
fear the police, the courts, the govern
ment In any form, but do fear this
young mans money. Should he find
a chance to use it,
HE would secure your arrestr
Colonel. you are fool. Who dares
arrest the owner Of three quarters Of
the wealth Of the United States2 He
might buy an opposition, in what form