- •In torpedo fashion; but his movements were apparently never He returned that night, and lo! the expected had happened.
- •It. He’s already offered me sixty-two for it. I can get it for
- •Ing when he came in.
- •It for the first year, but if you mind your p’s and q’s, they’ll cious and conservative investments and because of his cau-probably give you something as a gift at the end of that time.
- •It was fine to be getting on this way in the world and having such a good time.
- •In any woman. He was practical, methodic, orderly. His shoe At first, when Frank called, she did not have much to say.
- •I’m marrying you. We have independent means.”
- •In the whole thing. Butler could be made official garbage-And since then times had been exceedingly good with Ed-collector. The council could vote an annual appropriation ward Butler.
- •Vast advantage to him, and to devote all his attention to that.
- •Vague gray-blue; his hair a dusty light-brown and thin. His Cowperwood and thought how fortunate she was.
- •Impression, of course, that it was scattered freely in various
- •It was called—which interested him greatly. He rode on it occasionally when he was delayed or did not wish to trouble 109
- •It was Butler’s habit when he became involved in these
- •Intention all along of the two men to use these houses jointly.
- •In as tactful a manner as possible, that the dance afterward
- •Vain. My mother and father tell me I’m too vain as it is.” There was much jesting, some slappings of shoulders, some
- •Into her eyes, then left. Aileen’s bosom heaved. It was hard
- •I’m wild about you.”
- •It’s your business now, first, last, and all the time. You can’t not young, not vivid, not as unschooled in the commonplaces get your mind off of that.”
- •Its place. His large feet were incased in good, square-toed, well—
- •Ings for business purposes and residences in which Chicago
- •Voice. To his father he said a little later, “It’s panic, unless the majority of the banks and brokerage firms stand together.” commercial section since
- •In a position to help him were now as bad off as himself.
- •Voices could be heard faintly in the distance, far off to-
- •It was not time for love, and he felt it.
- •Ing about this, and it was puzzling him greatly.
- •Voted to the talents of Mollenhauer’s three ambitious daughters, a library and private office for himself, a boudoir and 174
- •If he were saved would he give the money back to Stener? If
- •Ing hourly worse since its inception the day before.
- •If we did anything which would look as though we were
- •Ing except loans, loans, loans, and the need of protecting
- •It.” He returned to his drawing-room and scanned both ac-He had never seen a map of Chicago before in just this clear, counts most carefully.
- •Ined. He hurried down the street to various bankers and bro-
- •It was in the face of this very altered situation that
- •Ing his father’s gloom. He was satisfied that there was scarcely When did you say he notified you not to buy city loan?” a coal of hope to be raked out of these ashes of despair, but
- •Indicated would trouble him or interrupt his great career.
- •Illegally, and he is very much wrought up about it. The mayor Stener will tell you that, if you ask him.” and the other city officials know of it now, and they may
- •It was decided to appoint a subcommittee “to investigate”
- •Impression that Cowperwood had desperately misused the City Treasurer.
- •It. We wouldn’t dare. We have men and women who have
- •Vest off, was listening to Aileen’s account of her troubles.
- •Vously.
- •Ing wits told her what to do.
- •Validity. It is more than likely that we owe this spectacle called He came out of the church after a time and returned home.
- •Ibly sad, despairing look.
- •It next. Ye’re young yet. Yer life is before you. I tremble for but Aileen did not see it at all.
- •I have yer best interests at heart. I love ye; but ye must. I’m
- •If you’ll let me. Will you speak to your mother, or shall I?”
- •Ings and communications for the time being, and even go Never! What could he mean by suggesting such a thing?
- •Ity known as hard common sense.
- •It appear that Stener was lying out of the whole cloth about 320
- •I can safely leave you.”
- •Investment into an accidental but none the less criminal mire of failure and exposure and public calumny and what not.
- •Very guarded references to his client, describes him as a nice,
- •Itable these few short years have been to him. Was George w. Stener worth any such sum up to the time he was re-He pointed to Cowperwood.
- •Incident like that? You know there wasn’t. He had never be-
- •Ishing the situation for the sheer sense of superiority it gave
- •If it wasn’t for the girl’s mother and her sister and her broth-
- •View of life, Mr. Butler, and I have another.”
- •I’m thinkin’. Why should ye want to be takin’ her away from
- •Ing was that the financier and the former city treasurer would
- •Ized that it would not be wise politically to stand out against what was wanted. Still, when he and Marvin learned that
- •It looks as if I have to go to jail or leave the country, and I’ve
- •It had been a terrific blow to her. Now to have this thing Steger is coming here in a little while to let me know. I had a suddenly broken to her in this offhand way, even though she 389
- •Ing judges in his favor, and that of the three agreed judges
- •It was that of the two housebreakers whom Cowperwood 405
- •Ing of extenuation in your case.” Judge Payderson paused
- •Into a street-car which ran to within a few blocks of the prison.
- •It, and something to read too. If you’re in business yet, I
- •If he did not get out before then she would be nearing twenty-The next day, however, she wrote him just the same, de-nine and he would be nearing forty. Would he want her then?
- •Insulting to her father, ignoring him on every occasion, refusing as often as possible to eat at the same table, and when 456
- •Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, Daniel Drew, James Fish, and others and the Erie Canal, at a greatly reduced cost. It was a vision in the East, and Fair, Crocker, w. R. Hearst, and Collis p.
- •Vigor of body, was a solemn, conservative speculator as to
- •In the great wheat crops of the West, a quiet divorce was It was with this thought that he went to visit Aileen, and granted Mrs. Frank a. Cowperwood in Philadelphia, because to plan for the future.
- •Ics of that?
Illegally, and he is very much wrought up about it. The mayor Stener will tell you that, if you ask him.” and the other city officials know of it now, and they may
“You don’t say,” replied Mollenhauer. “He did not give me force some action. I don’t know.” that impression. However, they are not there, and I believe Mollenhauer was obviously not frank in his attitude—a that that makes some difference legally. I have no interest in little bit evasive in his sly reference to his official tool, the the matter one way or the other, more than that of any other mayor; and Cowperwood saw it. It irritated him greatly, but good Republican. I don’t see exactly what I can do for you.
he was tactful enough to be quite suave and respectful.
What did you think I could do?”
“I did get a check for sixty thousand dollars, that’s true,” he
“I don’t believe you can do anything for me, Mr.
replied, with apparent frankness, “the day before I assigned. It Mollenhauer,” replied Cowperwood, a little tartly, “unless was for certificates I had purchased, however, on Mr. Stener’s you are willing to deal quite frankly with me. I am not a order, and was due me. I needed the money, and asked for it.
beginner in politics in Philadelphia. I know something about I don’t see that there is anything illegal in that.” the powers in command. I thought that you could stop any
“Not if the transaction was completed in all its details,” plan to prosecute me in this matter, and give me time to get replied Mollenhauer, blandly. “As I understand it, the cer-on my feet again. I am not any more criminally responsible tificates were bought for the sinking-fund, and they are not for that sixty thousand dollars than I am for the five hun-there. How do you explain that?” dred thousand dollars that I had as loan before it—not as
“An oversight, merely,” replied Cowperwood, innocently, much so. I did not create this panic. I did not set Chicago on and quite as blandly as Mollenhauer. “They would have been fire. Mr. Stener and his friends have been reaping some profit there if I had not been compelled to assign so unexpectedly.
out of dealing with me. I certainly was entitled to make some 250
Dreiser
effort to save myself after all these years of service, and I can’t Cowperwood. Mr. Butler, for some reason to which I am not understand why I should not receive some courtesy at the a party, seems deeply and personally incensed. And Mr. Butler hands of the present city administration, after I have been so is a great power here—” (Cowperwood began to wonder useful to it. I certainly have kept city loan at par; and as for whether by any chance Butler had indicated the nature of his Mr. Stener’s money, he has never wanted for his interest on social offense against himself, but he could not bring himself that, and more than his interest.” to believe that. It was not probable.) “I sympathize with you
“Quite so,” replied Mollenhauer, looking Cowperwood in greatly, Mr. Cowperwood, but what I suggest is that you first the eye steadily and estimating the force and accuracy of the See Mr. Butler and Mr. Simpson. If they agree to any program man at their real value. “I understand exactly how it has all of aid, I will not be opposed to joining. But apart from that I come about, Mr. Cowperwood. No doubt Mr. Stener owes do not know exactly what I can do. I am only one of those you a debt of gratitude, as does the remainder of the city who have a slight say in the affairs of Philadelphia.” administration. I’m not saying what the city administration At this point, Mollenhauer rather expected Cowperwood ought or ought not do. All I know is that you find yourself to make an offer of his own holdings, but he did not. Instead wittingly or unwittingly in a dangerous situation, and that he said, “I’m very much obliged to you, Mr. Mollenhauer, public sentiment in some quarters is already very strong for the courtesy of this interview. I believe you would help against you. I personally have no feeling one way or the other, me if you could. I shall just have to fight it out the best way and if it were not for the situation itself, which looks to be I can. Good day.”
out of hand, would not be opposed to assisting you in any And he bowed himself out. He saw clearly how hopeless reasonable way. But how? The Republican party is in a very was his quest.
bad position, so far as this election is concerned. In a way, In the meanwhile, finding that the rumors were growing however innocently, you have helped to put it there, Mr, in volume and that no one appeared to be willing to take 251
The Financier
steps to straighten the matter out, Mr. Skelton C. Wheat, come of it. There is too much dishonesty in public life as it President of the Citizens’ Municipal Reform Association, was, is. There is a standard of right in these matters which cannot at last and that by no means against his will, compelled to permanently be ignored, and which must eventually be ful-call together the committee of ten estimable Philadelphians filled. I leave this matter to your courteous consideration.” of which he was chairman, in a local committee-hall on Mar-Mr. Wheat sat down, and the body before him immedi-ket Street, and lay the matter of the Cowperwood failure ately took the matter which he proposed under advisement.
before it.