River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-03-20

~ through without q nltcn DuC
q 81 for one thing He had over
looked the fact that the king
dom of Mammon in America has
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 a 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 a 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 a constant
stream until it's deposits had reached
the unprecedented sum of $9O,OOO,O0O.
a sum greater 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 nostrils 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 word of COM
ment. And then a most curious thing
happened. The king summoned to his
presence a 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 1--WE. 10
be actually called into his august pres
ence in such a crisis was an undream-
ed of honor. He haStened into the
royal presence with beating heart. The
sovereign glanced up with quick en-
ergy.
"Mr Bivens. / believer
The little~man bowed low.
II 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.
''lf | 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.
81 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 iD 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 l shall be
plea,Cd to place your name on my ex
tiecutiye 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 a banking power that
is resistless 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 taste of
their own medicine. render a service
to the nation and incidentally. of
course, earn.ean honest dollar or two
for ourselves. I trust~i have your
hearty support IN this program
Bivens again bowed low.
MY hearty support and my pro-
foundest gratitude"
''I'll expect your secretary with your
check flor four millions within thirty
I minutes
The king waved friendly gesture
of disnissak 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