Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-11-27
CHAPTER X.

looked the fact that the king
dom of Mammon In America has a
king and that the present ruler is very
much alive A man of few words. of
iron will. of fiery temper. Of keen in
tellect, proud. ambitious. resourceful.
bold. successful. giant in physique
and giant in personality.
1t happens that his majesty is an old
time Wall street banker. with inherited
traditions about banks and the way
their funds should be handled. He
had long held pet aversion. The Van
Dam Trust company had become an
offense to his nostrils. 1t had built
huge palace far up town and it's presi
dent had attempted to set up court
Of his own. He had gathered about
him a following. among them an ex-
president Of the United States Cold
had poured into the treasury of the
great marble palace in constant
stream until it's deposits had reached
the unprecedented sum of 100000
sum g.eater than the royal bank it
self could boast.
When the king heard the first rumor
Of the fact that the Van Dam Trust
was backing the schemes of the Allied
Bankers In their sensational raid on
the market his big nostriis suddenly
dilated
At last he had them just where he
wanted them. He signed the death
warrant of the bank and handed it to
his executioner without a word of CON-
ment. And then most curious thing
happened. The king summoned to his
presence little, dark. sWarthy man.
When Bivens received this order to
appear at court he was dumfounded.
He had long worshiped and feared
the king with due reverence and al
ways spoke his name with awe. 10
be actually called into his august pres
ence in such crisis was an undream-
ed Of honor. He FASTENED into the
royal presence with beating heart. The
sovereign glanced up with quick en-
ergy.
"Mr. Blvens. l believer"
The little man bowed low.
Il hear that you are about to aid the
Van Dam Trust with four millions in
cashT'
Bivens smiled with pride.
MY secretary will deliver the money
to the bank within an hour"
The king suddenly wheeled IN his
big armchair. raised his eyebrows and
fixed the little man with a stare that
froZe the blood in his veins. When he
spoke at length his tones were smooth
as velvet.
IF may give you suggestion, Mr.
Bivens, would venture to say that
the Van Dam Trust company is be
yond aid. The larger interests Of the
nation require the elimination of this
institution and it's associates.
II have heard good reports Of you.
and l wish to save you from the dis
aster about to befall the gentlemen
who have been conducting the present
campaign in Wall street. If your sec
rotary will report to me at once with
the four millions you have set aside
for the Van Dam company shall be
pleased to place your name on my ex
ecutive council in the big movement
we begin today. The other gentlemen
whom | have thus honored are now
waiting for me in the adjoining room
They represent banking power that
is resistless at the present moment
when the Van Dam Trust closes it's
doors today a temporary panic will
follow. We will give the gentlemen
who started this excitement a taste of
their own medicine render a service
to the nation and incidentally. Of
course, earn an honest dollar or two
for ourselves. trust I have your
hearty support in this programT'
Bivens again bowed low.
my hearty support and my pro
foundest gratitude"
It'll expect your secretary with your
check for four millions within thirty
minutes"
The king waved a friendly gesture
of dismissal. and the little dark figure
tremblingly withdrew. He had been
ordered to stab his associates.
Without a moments hesitation he
gave the cruel orders that sent them
hurting over the precipice.
When the president of the Van Dam
Trust company failed to receive the
promised millions from Bivens he call.
ed his telephone and. receiving no an
swer, sprans into his automobile and
dashed downtown to the little main
office
When the clerk at the door Informed
him that Mr.. Rivens could not be seen
by any one. he drove back to the pala
tial house of his bank, smiled sadly
at the mob in front of it's huge pillars,
ordered its bronze doors closed, walked
around the corner to his home, locked
himself in his room and blew his brains
out
For a week the panic held the finan
cial world in the grip Of death A doz
en- banks had closed their doors and a
score of men who had long boasted
their courage among men had died the
death of towards when put to the test.
One of the most curious results Of
the panic was the revulsion of pop.
plar feeling against the daring and