The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-11-25

= for one thlnG. lie nad over
looked the fact that the king
dom of Mammon in America has a
king and that the present ruler is very
much alive \ man Of few words. OF
iron will. Of fiery temper, of keen in
tellect. proud. ambitious. resOurceful.
bold. successful. a 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
offpnse to his nOstriIS. 1t had built a
huge palace far up town and its presi-
dent had attempted to set up court
Of his own He had gathered about
him following, among them an eX-
president of the United States. Gold
had poured into the treasury of the
great marble palace in n constant
stream until its deposits had reached
the unprecedented sum of 100000, 600.
q sum greater than the royal bank il
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 nOstrils suddenly
dilated.
At last he had them just where he
wanted them He signed the death
warrant OF the bank and handed il 20
his eXecutioner without a word of com
ment. And then most curious thing
happened The king summoned to his
presence Il little. dark. swarthy man.
When Bivens received this order TO
appear at court he was dumfounded.
He had long worShped and feared
the king with due reverence and al
ways spoke his name with awe. TO
be actually called into his august pres
ence in such Il 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. Bivens, | believe"
The little man bowed low.
81 hear that YOU are about TO aid the
Van Dam Trust with four millions in
CASH.
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 a 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 its associates.
Il have heard good reports of YOU.
and wish To save YOU from the dis
aster about to befall the gentlemen
who have beer conducting the prpS2rt
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 he
pleased to place YOUR name on my cX-
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 4 banking power that
is reSisteSS at the present moment.
when the Van Dam Trust closes its
doors today temporary panic will
follow. We will give the gentlemen
who started this excitement Il taste OF
| their own medicine. render service
| to the nation and incidentally. Of
| course. earn an honest dollar or two
! for ourselves trust | have your
hearty support i'll this program:'
Rivens again bowed low.
My hearty support and my pro
| fOundeSt %ratitudo'
"Ill expect your secretary with your
| check for four millions within thirty
| minutes
The king waved friendly gesture
| Of dismissal. and the little dark figure
tremblingly withdrew He had beer
| ordered to stab his associates
Without moments hesitation he
! gave the cruel orders that sent them
| hurlin@ over the ureciDice