River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-03-13
Continued from page 81
CHAPTER TX.
The c%orno Rraaks


the indictment was presented to the
grand jury stocks began to tumble
without any apparent cause.
When the warrant for the arrest Of
the great man had been served. and
he was admitted to bail to await his
coming trial, there was feeble rally
in the market, but the rats quickly be-
gan to desert sinking ship. The
president under indictment had ceased
to be a power. There was a wild
scramble of his associates who were
equally guilty to save their own skins
The press. which at first denounced
Stuart. now boldly demanded the mer-
CHESS prosecution Of all the guilty, and
they hailed the brilliant young district
attorney as the coming man.
For six consecutive days stocks had
fallen with scarcely an hours tenn
porary rally. Every effort of the bull
operators, who had ruled the market
for the two years past, to stem the
tide was futile Below the surface, in
the silent depths of growing suspicion
and fear. an army of sappers and min
ers under the eye Of one man were
digging at the foundations of the bust
ness world-the faith of man in his
fellow man
Each day there was a crash, and
each day the little financier and his
INSCRIPTIONS allies marked new vic
tim. In the midst of the campaign
for the destruction of public credit
which Bivens and his associates. the
Allied Bankers. were conducting with
such profound secrecy and such re-
markable results, when their profits
had piled up into millions, a bomb was
suddenly exploded under their own
headquarters.
The Van Dam Trust company was
put under the ban Of the New York
clearing house. The act was breach
of faith, utterly unwarranted by any
known law of the game. But it was
done.
When the president of the company
walked quietly into Bivens office and
made the announcement for moment
the little dark man completely lost his
nerve. Cold beads Of sweat started
from his swarthy forehead.
There must be some mistake"
There's no mistake. It's a blow be-
low the belt, but it's a knockout for
the moment. They know we are sol
vent, two dollars for one. But they
know we have $9O,O0O,O00 on deposit.
and we have some big enemies They
know that the group we have support
ed have smashed this market, and
they've set out to fight the devil with
fire They're determined to force
showdown and see how much real
money is behind us. We can pull
through if we stand together"
Bivens sprang to his feet, exclaiming
fiercely:
Until he'll freezes overv'
The banker smiled feebly for the
first time in a week.
Then it's all right, Mr.. Bivens.
Well pull through. They'll start a
run on us tomorrow, Five millions in
cash will meet it. and we'll win hands
down. We have powerful friends.
Our only sin is our association with
your group. We must have that five
are opened tomorrow"
You shall have it," was the firm an
swer.
With cheerful pressure of the hand
the president of the Van Dam Trust
company left, and Bivens called his
secretary.
I'VE turn the market tomorrow-or-
ders to all our men. Knock the bottom
out of it until the noon hour, then
turn and send it skyward with a
bound"
When DR.. Woodman returned home
that night from one of his endless
tramps among the poor Harriet opened
the door.
Something about the expression of
his face startled her. For the first
time in her life she saw In its gaunt
lines the shadow of despair.
What is it, papa, dearY she asked
tenderly. slipping an arm about his
neck as she drew him down into his
favorite chair.
What, child?' he responded vaguely.
You look utterly worn out. Tell me
what's the matter. I'm no longer a
child. I'm a woman now-strong and
well and brave. Let me help you"
You do help me. baby" he laughed.
with an effort at his old time joyous
spirit. Every time touch your little
hand you give me new life. Some day
your voice will thrill thousands as it
now thrills my heart. You'll win fame
and wealth for your father. You shall
care for him in old age. I'm not mis-
cradle. I've really had a good day
I've spent the whole afternoon super
intending the distributing of flowers
among the hospitals. | saved a kids
life with a flower. His father used to
work for me in the old days. They
asked me to come TO see him. There
was no hope. He had been given up
to die l gave him a fragrant white
pink. His thin, feverish fingers grasp
ed it eagerly In all his life he had
never held a flower in his hand before
He pressed it to his lips. his soul thrill
ed at its sweet odor, and the little tired
spirit came staggering back from the
mists of eternity just to see what it
meant. He will i've"
The girls arms slipped around his