Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-08-23
Mr.. Van
RoCkagan
A Story of 1870
A Story of 1870
BY F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.


Ing and assembled Ia his private eleva-
tor to his summer office on the roof
Diyans, Persian rugs. rosewood cabi-
nets inlaid with gold and jewels i'm
parted luxurious comfort. while the
air was redolent OF tropical plants.
Mr.. Van Rocksgans 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 indiyidu-
ais were united by death. marriage
and other causes In one man, who.
when the union was consummated
took the name of Van Rockagan. I'm
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 a similar process in
another person. This person always
wrote his name G. Harrihill.
Mr.. Van Rockagan 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 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 multi.
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-viz, to unite
all the property in the country under
one head-might be thwarted."
What does your commercial high
ness propose?"
Harrihill.'
1.-The courts, Mr.. Van Rockagan"-
Never mind the courts. That is
department OF my operations in which
you have no concern. My chief at
torney viii 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 forewarnedY'
NO 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 a thousand men that | can |
call up in this building alone for your
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 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
1odvguard. who were scattered about,
allied on him and fought nObly, but
avail. They were surrounded
)y ten times their number and were
,ut to fight. Mr. Harrihill was seized,
arried to the road, where an auto train
food waiting. and carried away
Within twelve hours he was a prisoner
q Mr.. Van Rockagan's stronghold In
he great Dismal swamp.
The next morning Colonel Whisteton
ppeared at his employers office and,
.aving been admitted. reported that
lis commercial highness' orders had
een carried out.
Every nice" said Mr. Van RocKa-
an. Now starve him"
"Starve him? calculated the colonel
ayes. starve him. Did you not hearf'
"But. your commercial highness, that I
7ould be murder. ,
Colonel" said Mr.. Van Rockagan,
are you not aware that our ancestors {
rere merely robbers and murderersf t
hey not only robbed the Indians OF
,efr lands, bat killed so many OF 1
lem that they are now practically eI- I
net. But what splendid result! o
am following our ferefathers' exam .
Ie. Think of the blessings ! csn De G
ow upon our people when / SHAH b
ave become possessed OF all the
ealth In it, What Is one life com
,red with this desirable outcomef
But do you not fear punishment 8
~By whom
The law"
81 have become the law" E
"The people WIN demand
aNonsensel Do you suppose would q
, what | have done before had en- q
died the political machinery OF the o
nited States in myselfT q
A month passed. One day Colonel p
-histleton was called for by his en- "
oyer. pl
~ thought said Mr.. Van Rocka-