Putnam patriot., 1911-04-07

NIT. Van Rockagan alighted from his carriage, went into his l50 story build ing and ascended in his private eleva- for to his summer office on the roof Divans, Persian rugs. rosewood cabi- nets inlaid with gold and jewels im- parted a luxurious comfort. while the air was redolent of tropical plants. Mir. Van Rockagan's name would seem to denote mingling of Dutch and German origin. It is a combina- ton of several names. In the early part of the present century nearly all the colossal fortunes held by individu- als were united by death, marriage and other causes in one man, who, when the union was consummated took the name of Van Roekagan. Un- 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 C. Harrihill. Mir. Van Roekagan put his finger on a million dollar diamond which formed the button of an electric bell, and page, whose triple rows of buttons were blood red rubies, appeared.
 Colonel Wbistleton," said MT. Van Roekasan.
 The page made the eastern salaam recently introduced into this country by our wealthy classes for their serv- ants and withdrew, and Colonel Whis- tleton entered. He was in multi.
 "Colonei' said Mir Van Rockagan, q hear that young Harrihill is about to be married Should he marry and have children a 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-viz, to unite all the property in the country under one head-might be thwarted"
 What does your commercial high ness propose?"
 "To get hold of the person of young Harrihill."
 "The courts, MT. Van Rockagan"-
 Never mind the courts. That Is department of my operations in which
  torney will see that the courts do not interfere He will have an ample fund for that purpose. What I 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"
 "Is he forewarnedg'
 "No He has but 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 MT. 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 MT. Van Rockagan's presence.
 Young Harrihill was playing at golf and just about to make 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 anu fought nobly, but without avail. They were surrounded by ten times their number and were put to flight. Mir. Harrihill was seized. carried to the road where an auto train stood waiting, and carried away Within twelve hours he was prisoner in Mir 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 MT. Van Rocka- gan. NOW starve him"
 "Starve him?" calculated the colonel. "Yes, starve him. Did you not hearF
 But, your commercial highness, that would be murder
 Colonel" said Mir. Van Rockagan' "are you not aware that our ancestors were merely robbers and murderers They not only robbed the Indians of their lands. but killed so many or them that they are now practically ex- tinct. But what a splendid result! I am following our forefathers' exam pie. Think of the blessings l can De- stow upon our people when l shall have become possessed of all the wealth in it! What is one life com pared with this desirable outcomeF
 But do you not fear punishmentT
 By whom?"
 '"The law"
 "I have become the law"
 "The people will demand'-
 Nonsense! Do you suppose l would do what have done before had em- bodied the political machinery or the United States in myself"
 month passed One day Colonel Whistleton was called for by his em- ployer.
 q thought" said Mir Van Rocka- gan, that some time ago l gave you an order?''
 You did. your commercial hlghhess' and I have endeavored to carry II out' but something. I know not what. Atands In the way. I have withdrawn every particle of food from the pris- oner, but he loses no fesh."
 Whom do you suspect Of feeding him:"
 No one. l have for weeks kept him
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