Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-12-25

asm Of thousands Of prosperous men
and women whose lives at the moment
flowed about and enveloped his own.
What was It that made the difference
between the sqnalid atmosphere below
Fourth street and the glowing. fash
ing. radiant. jeweled world uptown2
Money! 1t meant purple and tne
linen. delicacies of food and drink,
pulsing machines that could make
a mile a minute. the mountain and
the sea. freedom from care. fear.
drudgery and slaveryl
After all In this modern passion for
money might there not be something
deeper than mere greed. perhaps the
regenerating power Of the spirit press
Ing man upward? Certainly he could
see only the bright side of it tonight.
As his cab swung into Riverside
drive from Seventy-second street the
sight which greeted him was one Of
startling splendor. Bivens' yacht lay
at anchor in the river just in front Of
his house. She was festOoned with
electric lights from the water line to
the top of her towering steel masts.
The Illumination of the exterior OF
the Rivens house was remarkable
The stone and iron fence surround.
ing the block. which had been built at
cost of hundred thousand dollars.
was literally ablaze with lights. The
house was illumined from its founda
tons to the top OF each towering
minaret with ruby colored lights.
! Stuart passed up the grand stairs
through row of gorgeous 6unkies
and greeted his hostess.
, Nan grasped his hand with smile
of joy.
"You are to lead me in to dinner
Jim, at the stroke of g.
"I'll not forget" Stuart answered.
his face flushing with surprise at the
unexpected honor.
"Cal wishes to see you at once. You
will find him In the library"
Bivens met him at the door.
"Ah. there you are!' be cried cor
daily. Come back downstairs with
ulC. want NOO ~ SO"c pSOplC
as they come in tonight I've a lot
of funny things to tell you about
them"
The house was crowded with an
army Of servants. attendants, must
clans, singers. entertainers and re
| pOrters
| The doctor had been recognized by
one of the buffers whom he had be
friendcd on his arrival from the Ola
World The grateful fellow had gone
out of the way to make him at home.
and in his enthusiasm had put an al
cove which opened Off the ball room
at his and Harriet's disposal The
doctor was elated at this evidence Of
Bivens good feeling and again con
graduated himself on his common
sense in coming.
Rivens led Stuart to position near
the grand stairway, from which he
could greet his guests as they re-
turned from their formal presentation
to the hostess
! He kept up a running fire of bio
graphical comment which amused
Stuart beyond measure. 1t was rev
citation Of the crooked ways in which
Bivens guests or their fathers or grand
fathers had amasSed their millions
many of them by robbing the govern
'nent. the people.
1.-THE world has never heard most
Of these stories that's funny!' Stuart
exclaimed after time.
Not 50 funny, Jim. when you think
Vt the power of money to make the
world forget. God only knows how
many fortunes In America had their
origin in thefts from the nation during
the civil war, and the systematic
frauds that have been practised on on
government since. I've turned some
pretty sharp tricks. Jim, In stalking
my game in this big man hunt of Wal
street. but at least I've never robbet
the wounded or the dead on battle
Geld and I've never used dark Ian
tern to get into the government vaults
at Washington. I'm not asking 20,
to stand for that"
If you did
! Yes, | know the answer. but speal
softly. his majesty the king approache
Long live the king!'
Bivens spoke in low. half jokin,
tones. but the excitement of his voic'
told Stuart only too plainly that b.
fully appreciated the royal honor hi
majesty was paying in this the frs
social visit he had ever made to BIZ
home. The king gave him a pleasan
nod and grasped Stuart's hand will
hearty cordial grip. He was maj
Of few words. but be always said ex
actly what he thought.
I'm glad to meet you. Mr.. Stuart
You've done us good turn in sending
some of our crooks to the penitentiary
You've cleared the air and made /
possible for an old fashioned banker t
breathe in New York. It's a pleasur
to shake hands with you"
The king passed on into the crowd
the focus of hundred admiring eyes
Bivens could scarcely believe his ear
when he listened with open mout
while his majesty spoke to Stuart
Great Scott, Jim!' be gasped at last
That's the longest speech l ever hear
him make. I knew you had scored tn
biggest hit any lawyer has made II
this town in generation, but l neve
dreamed you'd capture the kings i'm
agination. I'm beginning to think a.
offer wasn't so generous after all. Loo
here. you've got to promise me on
thing right now. When you do 60 i