^^AAAAa. n^^fe^^;A/*;/»N wfm .^h./^^n^H'/\/yi -^^^^^^»!2^ ^Af^ ^AAAMaA^ ,«ft/^^f^n'^ft'^ftnAOO' -»«».«( Mfift^Ahrir\^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Q,^njitJM§,piri^i f » UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. pM^m. 'A^a'^aaa-^^'JA ^f\N^mt:^'^'^^^.^> ^>.n^A^ m/^':mnn^! ^^;^:t^^^^^mm n^r^r\r\r^ ^^m^'^'i^mk '^mAn/^ik^^ ^^C^■i^^^^/^/^«.«^/1o S5SiAAKAr\A' ■; "'^.'i AlSA'afe* .»«»?! >AA/^J^'^:^.' .^,^/*IAA.1Aa, l^*^fli^AAAA MnA02o INNOCENTS i?i?OM ABROAD.! St/ the Aut/tor of "TOM'S ."WIFE." NEW YORK: p. W. CaRLETON &■ Co., PUBLISHEI^S. || UNITED STATeS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, nr TEE OITY OF IfEW TOM, sei, so«, ses broadway. ORGANIZED I860 JAMES BUELL, . President. ASSETS, - - - $4,846,032.64 SURPLUS, - - - $800,000.00 £very approved /'orin of jPolicy issued on most /'nrorabte terms. ALL ENDOWMENT POLICIES AND APPROVED CLAIMS MATURING IN 1878 wi" be DISCOUNTED « '« on yRESEyTATION. HENRY W. BALD^VIN, Bupt. Middla Department. Pfficb : Prbxkl Poilding, cor. JIxl.i. and ^road ^ts., NEW YORK. AN ATTRACTIVE NEW BOOK. Just Published. Bv the Author of " Innocents from Abroad," TOM'S WIFE, AND HOW HE MANAGED HER. A Tale of many Tribulations. BY A MARRIED BACHELOR. Price 50 cents. " Needles and pins, needles and pins. When a man marries, his trouble begins." A delightful little book, quite the brightest thing of the day. Every married person ought to read it, if only to learn how beautifully Tom vumaged his wife. This little book, written with a most unusual freslmcss, naturalness and brilliancy, has already, by the sale of 10,000 copies within less than a week, proved a most decided success. Opinions of the Press. "'Tom's Wife' is one of those whole-souled jolly books, which everybody will read with delight. The title in itself is sufficient indication of what a rich feast of fun, and fear, and 'fencing,' may be expected. The only objection to the work is, that after they have read it, the bachelor population will all get married."— /'/rj;. Itetyi. " ' Tom's Wipe ' is a good story and no mere trifle. It pos- sesses keen iniraor, andis composed in good style. The hero, contrasted with whom is, of course, a heroine, is a study in his way, and it; at limes immensely amusing. The author evi- dently kno\vs h(iw to i>aint a charming picture of domestic hapiiiness."— L'asYo/; Banner. " ' Tom's Wife, and How He Managed Her,' is a book in which many young husbands may lind traces of their own experience, "and a sharp delineation of some of their follies. It is a story w hich has a good moral to it, for it shows how permanent conjugal unhappiness may be born of a single unkind word, aiid how a man who yields to the temptation of a moment, may go swiftly downward toward utterly hopeless ruin."— PMa. Bulletin. !^" The book is beautifully printed and bound in cloth, price $1.00. Also a paper cover edition, 50 cts. Sold everywhere. Sent by mail on receipt of price. G. W. CARLETON & CO., PUBLISHERS, Madison Square, New York. INNOCENTS FROM ABEOAD. BY THE AUTHOR OF V'TOM'S WIFE." <&. •^ No...iart of the upper deck two gentlemen were making an earnest and determined effort to exercise their legs, but the difficulties under which they labored were really painf nl to witness. They were evidently father and son, as both had the same general cast of features, although the elder of the two was much darker than the other. They were manifestly landsmen, as their involuntary and uncer- 8 CROSSING THE BIG POND. tain evolutions were such as would never have been indulged in by any accustomed to travel on the sea. Their usual serenity was at present much dis- turbed, as, holding desperately on to their hats and to each other, they sometimes scudded down steep declivities and anon mounted laboriously sharp ascents, while the great iron monster, propelled by a mysterious power, glided through the water, rising and writhing, like some huge serpent. But amidst all their troubles there was a tender familiar- ity between the two that was exceedingly charming, a loving respect from the young man toward his father, and a confiding admiration on the part of the parent toward his son. "The wind seems rising," said the elder, bend- ing his head and catching his breath. "Yes, indeed; it blows a gale," replied his companion, taking a fresh grip on his hat. "You see now, my son, how nature mocks the feeble efforts of man to control her forces. Here ! let us brace ourselves against this mast and rest a moment. This great iron ship, when we approached her in the harbor at Liverpool, as she appeared then, more than four hundred feet long and capable of carrying nearly five thousand tons burden, how CROSSING THE BIG FOND. 9 immense ! liow immovable she seemed ! and yet you see now the veriest cork could scarcely be buffeted worse." "True," answered the young man. " Ha ! hold hard ! " he exclaimed suddenly, as a wave, striking the vessel squarely amidships, caused her to pause and quiver from stem to stern. Tlie older gentleman turned pale, not so much from fright, as from an internal agitation of a different kind. His breakfast had at that moment been seized with a most absurd ambition to rise in the world, and could not be kept down. Suddenly the two involuntarily left the mast, and made a most alarming bolt toward the side of the vessel. Bring- ing up with considerable force against the shrouds, the father at the after side, the young man at the forward, the former stood gasping, with his head thrust forth, while his whole frame heaved in con- vulsive agony. The son, unable to be of any assist- ance, clung to his parent in anxious, though sym- pathetic silence. "It is in vain for man to resist the elements," sighed the poor gentleman, in the intervals free from the returning paroxysms, as he dolefully wiped his eyes and mouth. lo CROSSIA'G THE BIG FOND. He was clinging to the slirouds with his left hand, and as in his action with his handkerchief he was forced to release his hat, that playful article suddenly bounded aloft with all the gayety of a young colt just let out to pasture. "Alas! too true!" exclaimed the young man, with a half smile, answering his father's last remark. The old gentleman, who seemed for a moment overwhelmed by his misfortunes, with his ample and beneA^olent brow bared to the blast, stood gazing up- ward in blank despair, as the unruly hat, whirled far above and made indistinct by distance, was now circling in eccentric evolutions around the main truck. It resembled, as nearly as anything, some new species of ocean fowl — the wild harbinger of a coming storm. "The sea is no respecter of persons, my son," said the parent, recovering himself at length. "Let us go below." The buffeted and badly-treated couple with uncertain steps sought the entrance to the cabin. They did not reach it, however, before describing many a strange curve and angle, many an involun- tary halt and i^recipitate start. Reach it, how- ever, they did at length, when stretching them- CROSSING THE BIG POND. ii selves flat upon their backs in their respective berths, they sought to alleviate, as much as pos- sible, the usual effect of an angry sea upon the sus- ceptible systems of landsmen. Seuor Alvarez, the elder of our two travelers, was born upon his father's extensive plantation in Brazil, in the province of Sao Paulo. His father, long since dead, was a Portugese gentleman, who had emigrated to the new world, with some money and a fine library. He had bought his plantation, established successfully the cultivation of coffee, become enamored with a beautiful Coromantine, his slave, whom he freed and married, and Pedro was the fruit of the union. A man of large ideas and extensive knowledge, the elder Alvarez had sought early to impress the same upon the eager mind of his son. Brought up, therefore, upon the borders of the Tropic of Capricorn, under the shadow of the luxu- riant orange groves, secluded both by inclination and necessity from any extensive communion with his equals, surrounded by books, the j'oung Pedro had early imbibed a desire for knowledge, and had been an extensive reader of the world's history. He had his theories of life and had formed his ideal of 12 CROSSING THE BIG POND. men and things. His father had taught him French, and a young American lady whom he had happily married, had greatly assisted him to acquire English. The famous exclamation of Hamlet had always charmed him: "What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason ! how iniinite in faculties ! in form, and moving, how express and admirable ! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god !" And a certain passage in one of the papers of the old Tatler, which his wife had pointed out to him, seemed to him to be particu- larly worthy of admiration: " I must confess there is nothing more jDleases me in all I read in books or see among mankind than such passages as repre- sent human nature in its proper dignity. The finest writers of antiquity have taken it on the more advantageous side. They cultivate the natural grandeur of the soul, raise in her a generous am- bition, feed her with hopes of immortality and perfection, and do all they can to widen the parti- tion between the virtuous and the vicious." The young man, Juan, was the only son born to him by his beloved wife, and him he labored hard to form after his own ideas. Quick-witted and CROSSING THE BIG POND. 13 teachable, the handsome youth was quite as amia- ble as his father, while possessing a more buoyant disposition, and a keener sense of humor. His mother had died when he was a small boy, and hav- ing no one else to depend upon, a most loving attach- ment had grown up between his father and himself. Alvarez had long entertained the most exalted admiration for the United States, its people, its government, and its institutions. He was thor- oughly acquainted with its brief though remarkable history, and in his extensive reading, had formed a personal acquaintance, so to speak, with our great men of the past. He regarded the Declaration of Independence as the most wonderful of documents, not only for the principles it embodied, but for its masterly presentation of them, and frequently re- marked to his son that he would rather be the man that penned that instrument, even should he not be worth a milrea, than to be the undisputed owner of the vast estate left him by his father. The keynote of the paper, that "all men are created free and equal," seemed to make an especial impression upon him. Though the owner of slaves, and him- self the son of a favored freed woman, who had originally been brought from Africa, he seemed not 14 CROSSING THE BIG POND. to take the colored race into consideration, by a strange inconsistency very similar to that of some of the celebrated signers to the document he so much admired. However, he was so kind-hearted himself, and treated his bondmen with so much consideration, that he never seemed to imagine that he was doing them, or any one else, any wrong. Alvarez, after teaching his son all that he could from books, resolved to set out on a tour with him, to see the actual world of which he knew very little himself. He had decided to make no extended trip through Europe before visiting the United States. He had conceived a deep admiration for our coun- try, and he had determined to see that first. Being forced to go to England in order to get by steamer to the land he was prepared to admire so much, he had remained there but a few days before embark- ing to recross the Atlantic. He had in his mind rather an extended purpose of going round the world, by the way of California, Japan, China, India, Egypt, Europe, and so on back to Brazil, but above all, and before all, he wished to see, and study, with his son, the great country formed by the Union of States. The enthusiasm of the father was only equalled by the glowing eagerness of the son. CROSSING THE BIG POND. 15 A day or so out from Liverpool, the weather being pleasant and the sea smooth, Alvarez had given vent, in the smoking-room, to some of the admiration he felt for the land that gave birth to Washington, He w^as expatiating most eloquently upon the ingenuity, energy, and enterprise of the people, when the purser of the ship, a most intense and pugnacious Englishman, had burst into his the- ories with some startling facts. "Enterprising!" cried he. "Why, man, your own country should teach you better than that ! Your nation buys about a hundred millions in various goods from other countries, of which you get less than eight millions from the Yankees, while, at the same time, they have to come to you for over forty million of your produce. And this a]3plies to almost every other South American State. Besides this, you have had to ta]?:e a steamer to England to get to New York, and have embarked now on another English steamer to get across the Atlantic. Pshaw ! man, don' t talk about the Yankees, when they have no ships and not brains enough to get the trade which lies at their very doors." Alvarez was silenced by this unexpected present- 1 6 CROSSING THE BIG POND. ation of things, and still more embarrassed when Juan pnt in : " How is that, my father \ Do not the Americans know liow to build steamers or to run them ?" " No nation better," answered he in some confu- sion. "They were the first to bring steam naviga- tion to perfection." The conversation ended there for that day, with the amiable Brazilian a little staggered, and Juan's curiosity greatly aroused. The enthusiasm of both, however, soon recovered, and they w^ere on a tiptoe of exjoectation to see the land they were so rapidly aj^lDroaching. After Alvarez and his son had descended to their stateroom on the day when we first made their acquaintance, the wind had continued to increase from the Northwest, and during the night blew a gale. By daylight it had decreased some, but the sky was still sullen and the waves ran high. On the morning of the second day, however, the wind had changed to the South and the sun came out cheerfully. The decks were soon bright with the passengers, glad to emerge from their confinement below. Brisk walking, pitching rings made of rope, going up the ratlins hand over hand, ^^ith CROSSING THE BIG FOND. 17 many other trials of skill or strength, were now in order, and indulged in with mnch gay talking and laughter. Alvarez came forth at length, supported by his son. He looked much thinner, and his countenance was rendered more pale by the tight skull cap he wore, in place of the f el t hat so provokingly lost. The fresh air soon revived him a little, and the bright sun cheered him up. He began to feel him- self grow stronger and brighter at each turn he took in his walk. Suddenly he was nearly felled to the ground by a hearty clap on the back, while at the same time a good-natured voice cried out : "Ha! all right again, eh! Weathered it through, did you V Gasping for breath, and just able to stand in his weakened state, Alvarez turned to the party from whence this extremely cordial greeting came, and saw one of his fellow passengers with whom he had formed a slight acquaintance. " Keally, sir, your salutation being so unex- pected, I— I—" "Been pretty well shaken up, eh!" cried the other, a man of medium height, rather showily dressed, with a blazing diamond in his bosom, and 1 8 CROSSING THE BIG FOND. having an independent, devil-may-care sort of way with him. " Reckon you haven't roughed it much, Colonel!" Though a little in doubt as to just what his fel- low passenger meant, Juan ventured to answer for his father, who had scarcely yet recovered his breath. " This is the first trip of any consequence," said he, "my father has ever made. We've lived on land all our lives." "Well, I thought so. I haven't, you see. My name is Wilkens, and I am a pure Yank — sitting still in one place is not my little game. I was spawned in Connecticut, born in Jersey, brought up in Kentuck, and have lived in every State in the Union." "You have been active," said Alvarez with a smile. " Well, I guess so. I was a sutler in our army for awhile, till uncle Ben Butler made it a little too warm for us, when I pulled up stakes and dug out. I run a gunboat on James River after that, but when old Lee caved, my services were no longer required." " Your experience has indeed been most remark- CROSSING THE BIG FOND. 19 able," said the Brazilian, regarding Wilkens with increasing wonder. "I heard about the diamond fields in South Africa a year or so ago, so I headed for there. Scraped up a pocket full of the shiners, and I have just been driving some bargains with the Jews of Houndsditch. I'm afraid I've been a little too many for the children of Israel," and Wilkens gave the Brazilian a most knowing and expressive wink, as he took out his tobacco-box and rolled up an enormous quid.. The simple-minded gentleman began to regard him as a natural phenomenon. "I didn't get your name yet. Colonel," ex- claimed Wilkens, after a short pause, giving two or three scientific squirts of tobacco juice. "I am known at home as Pedro Alvarez," an- swered the other. " Gfood ! Hal Avery is good ! And this is a chip off the old block, I reckon." " Yes ! my son and myself are out on our travels to pick up a few ideas." "That's right, Hal! you're heading right. Get him over in the States ; we'll polish him up. We'll 20 CROSSING THE BIG FOND. give him a rubbing that'll make him shine like a nigger's heel." After a little more conversation, the self-reliant Wilkens, who had all along adopted a manner toward Alvarez as if he had been an overgrown schoolboy, turned into the smoking room, and was soon earnestly engaged in a game of draw poker with an ambitious young Englishman. CHAPTER II. AN ESCAPE FEOM SHAEKS. HREE mornings afterward, when our travelers came on deck, they discovered land in the- distance, to the North. * Upon inqniry of the officer in charge of the watch, they ascertained that the ship was hug- ging the lower coast of Long Isl- and, and would probably sight the Highland Lights in the early after- noon. At the first view of the United States, how- ever distant and indistinct, all the enthusiasm of Alvarez was rekindled, and the eagerness of Juan knew no bounds. Glass in hand the father concen- trated his gaze u^jon every object, however minute, and was full of inquiry upon everything which in any way excited his curiosity. Wilkens was on [21] 2 2 AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. hand to answer all questions and make any state- ment that the situation seemed to require. "That is Long Island, they tell me," said the Brazilian. "Certainly," answered the self-styled Yankee. " Don't you see how long it is ? " " No ; how long is it ? " "Well, I never measured it, but about a thou- sand mile, I reckon." " Indeed ! It contains some interesting places, I presume." ' ' Oh, la, yes ! There' s South old and Cutchogue, Hunter's Pint and Cooney Island." " Strange names." " Yes, but stranger places !" " Your American duties are high, I am told; I suppose the officers are very strict." "Well, I guess so, Colonel. Have you got any friends over in the city that you have written to you're coming, and had 'em go and see the officer?" "I don't know a soul in the country." Wilkens gave a lugubrious whistle. "Well, my lad!" said he, "they'U Just go for you with a sharj) stick." AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 23 "Why?" asked Alvarez in some alarm. "I haven't done anything." "That don't make any difference, greenhorn, whether you've done anything or got anything; they'll go through you from A to Z. Like enough they'll make you strip off and then take a piece of sand-paper and rub you down to find out whether you have concealed anything about you." " Santo Maria ! and this in a land of freedom !" "Oh! the boys like to show their zeal, you know, when they get a good chance. But have you got any new duds in your baggage ?" " Well, no, I can't say as I have," answered Alvarez. " I bought a half dozen new shirts in Lon- don which I haven't yet worn." " What ! brand new ! never had 'em on ?" "No, sir." "Why man! they'll be confiscated sure. You'd better bring 'em out here on deck and let us tramp around on 'em awhile, to take off the fresh look." Alvarez pondered on this proi^osition some time in considerable bewilderment, not knowing exactly what to do. He was inclined to place considerable reliance on the advice of Wilkens, as he judged him to be a man of shrewd practical common sense. 24 AJV ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. After holding a long consultation with Juan, in Portugese, he concluded, however, to take his chances with his baggage as it was. Shortly after the twelve o'clock lunch the N'avesink Highlands were seen looming w^ in the distance, and in a half hour or so, the twin light- houses could be made out. Wilkens was busy getting up a pool based on the number of the pilot boat that should board the ship. There being twenty-two pilot boats belonging to the port, num- bered from one upward, it was proposed that an equal number of gentlemen should deposit a half crown each, selecting his boat, and the lucky man, whose selection proved correct, should ' ' scrape the ]3ile." Two of the boats were already seen in the distance, one to windward, the other to leeward, making for the steamer. After getting his list of subscriptions filled up, Wilkens took in several small bets, as to which of the two boats already in sight should reach them first. Alvarez good- naturedly took a share in the pool, but declined to bet further. The steamer kept on her course, and the two boats rapidly neared her. After a while, however, the one to leeward, although having head start gave AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 25 up the chase, and the other was quickly alongside. Wilkens was found to have made a double hit, he had won his outside bets, and the number of the boat likewise proved to be the lucky one in the pool which he had taken. Alvarez had come within one of it. " Just as the husband said about twins, when his wife presented him with a fine baby," remarked Wilkens, encouragingly. As the pilot came ujd over the side with his hand full of newspapers, a grand rush was made for him by the gentlemen passengers. Debarred from all news for a week or more, they all appeared to be starving for information. Wilkens didn't seem to care what was going on in the world, but paced backward and forward good-naturedly, clinking the accumulated half crowns in his pocket. "Is the harbor so dangerous that a pilot is an absolute necessity?" asked Alvarez. ' ' Not at all, ' ' replied Wilkens. ' ' The channel is a little mite crooked, and a big ship can't get over the bar at low tide ; but there is not a captain, that has been in the port two or three times, but what can bring his vessel in just as good as a pilot." 26 AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. " What do they take a pilot for, then ?" "They've got to. The pilots have got 'em where their hair's short. A vessel can't get any insurance unless they take a pilot. And the first pilot that boards a ship takes possession and brings her in." "Ah! I see." By this time they were close upon the coast. "You see that big steamer there ashore ?" asked Wilkens, pointing a little to the South' ard. " Yes ; what is she doing there ?" " Give it up ! She's the Ameriky." "How did she get there ?" " New York pilot. The pilot gets her on, and a Salvage Company gets her off, and everything is lovely all around." "Very singular!" exclaimed the Brazilian, a little puzzled at the matter-of-fact way in which his friend stated these things. "Turn your glass further South, a little way past the Long Branch Hotels there, and tell me •\vhat you see." Alvarez looked intently a few moments, and then exclaimed : "By San Paulo! another large steamer." AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 27 "Exactly." " Well, how did she get there — another pilot?" " Some say so. I won't." "Well, indeed! The ways of Providence are mysterious !" "Yes, but some of the ways of the Yanks are more so." Alvarez, being half inclined to admit this latter fact, resumed his glass. Approaching land from the east, the Highlands seemed to slope down directly to the ocean, with a narrow sandy strip at their feet. As the ship neared the bar the pilot said there was not yet water enough for her to cross, and so she was forced to tack backward and forward, an hour or so, to await the movement of the tide. Finally she headed up the channel, and as she rounded Sandy Hook, and stood up the lower bay, Alvarez was surprised to discover quite a large river, separating the strip of sand from the high ground beyond. His friend Wilkens informed him it was the Shrewsbury. As they jDassed the ruins of a large fort at the point of the sandy cape, the Brazilian had recourse again to his friend. "These must be very old," said he, pointing to the ruins. 28 AN ESCAPE EROM SHARKS. "Not at all, Colonel. Only a few years since it was started." "What's the matter, then?" "Abandoned. Sj^ent a few millions and then let her slide. Foundation not found solid." "Why didn't they investigate that before com- mencing the work?" "Got me again. Colonel. Give it up." Thinking the Americans must have some theory of doing things of which they only knew the secret, Alvarez asked no more questions, but continued with his son to be on the qui mm for anything of interest. While the ship was proceeding up the Bay, the purser furnished the passengers with blanks, upon which to set foi-th a full statement of their bag- gage, number of packages, contents and so on. As our two travelers were laboriously and anxiously studying this iDaper in their state-room Wilkens came along. Upon inquiry as to how he had written his, he pulled it out of his pocket all crumpled up with a lot of other papers. "There she is, Colonel, I intend to take it home and have it framed." "But how will you pass your baggage, then ?" AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 29 Wilkens made no answer, but gave one of Ms most surprising winks and passed on. As the great steamer passed through the Nar- rows, it was growing quite dark. She was boarded at the same time by the health officer and custom- house official, the former of which, after a few casual questions and a slight show of examination, went ashore. The gentleman representing the customs de- partment took his seat in the cabin and had the passengers, like culprits, approach in a line with their documents one by one. Alvarez took his place with fear and trembling. He had made his statement out with the most scrupulous care, and being much in doubt about that half- dozen shirts had put them under the head of duti- able articles. He was a simi)le man in his habits and dress, and had instilled the same ideas into the mind of his son. Their entire baggage consisted of but a trunk between them and a satchel apiece. Wilkens was just ahead in the line, moving up in his free-and-easy way. When it came to his turn, he took the officer by the hand and gave him a hearty shaking up. " Brown, my lad ! how is it going ?" 30 AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. "Well, sir! quite well! But really you have the advantage." "Wilkens — Jim Wilkens. That's my name. You haven't forgotten me, have you ?" ' ' Wilkens ! ah, no ! here' s a letter for you, Mr, Wilkens. Step one side." The gentleman addressed gave one of his usual knowing glances to Alvarez, as he stepped out of the line and took a seat. So much time had elapsed before the officer was through, that he said it was too late to pass any baggage that night. The cap- tain concluded, as they had dropped anchor for the health officer, to remain down in the Bay till morn- ing, before steaming up to the dock. The custom- house officer, however, offered to take anyone uj) to the city, without baggage, that had any si^ecial desire to go and spend the night. Wilkens and some others availed themselves of this opportunity and stepped aboard the tug-boat in waiting. Juan paced the deck with his father after night- fall and gazed earnestly at the great array of lights gleaming in the distance. The long pointed lines of New York stretching far down into the Bay, with the semi-circular curve of Brooklyn on one side and the lesser lights of Jersey City on the other. Their AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 31 hearts were too full for utterance. The goal was now within their reach. This was the land toward which they had strained their eyes so long. This the nation, founded by the vu'tue of Washington, the genius of Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton and theii' associates, that Alvarez had taught his son to look for that perfection in institutions, that honor and industry among the people to which other countries could lay no claim. Morning broke rather dull, as the steamer got under way and slowly proceeded up toward her wharf on the Hudson river. As the hills were bleak and bare, the line harbor did not show to advan- tage, but our travelers, being prepared to admire everything, readily admitted its natural advanta- ges, and agreed it surj)assed even their own bay at Rio Janeiro. At length the great ship, after many laborious maneuvers, was made fast to the wharf, at that time filled with eager friends and numerous deputy inspectors. The eyes of the latter gentlemen glistened like those of vultures are sup- posed to do when they sight a fallen carcass. The covered dock was soon the scene of the most bustling confusion. Alvarez and Juan, watch- ing everything with interest, were jostled hither 32 AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. and thither, as wives rushed to greet their husbands and children their parents. As certain men lighted on what baggage had been hoisted out of the hold amidst the turmoil, the Brazilian gentleman thought their action was suspicious. One or two were so ^particularly villainous-looking that he was sure they must be outlaws taking advantage of the confused landing to rob the trunks. He sent Juan, therefore, to speak to a stout gentleman in blue coat and brass buttons quietly on the subject. "What's that!" cried the party addressed. "Is it thim then? Sure, but they're the deputy inspecthers, man." Thus reassured, the young man sought his father and told him it was all right. They then stood together watching the scene around them. There was one lot of sixteen trunks brought out for one party — man, wife and daughter. The inspector detailed for the lot proceeded to open the first trunk with alacrity, the proper one being unlocked by the owner. The lid was no sooner raised, how- ever, than it was quickly shut, but not in time to prevent the quick eyes of Juan from seeing a green bill, marked twenty, on toj) of the clothing. The lid was then raised more cautiously, a hand AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 33 slipped in, the contents of the trunk fumbled over, and the trunk quickly scratched with chalk as passed. The fifteen companion trunks were like- wise rapidly scratched, without the formality of opening. Another trunk, one of a lot of ten, upon being opened, disclosed a city business card, which the inspector put in his pocket with a nod and a smile to the owner. The whole lot was quickly passed. Other poor wretches, the Brazilians noticed, who had but one trunk, were most rigidly overhauled, as if to pay them off for presuming to come over with such a paltry lot of property. Our gentlemen were so intent upon watching the others, that for a while they forgot all about their own baggage, but at length recognizing it, stepped up to claim it. "This your lot, sir?" said a man, who resem- bled a highwayman, with a cock in his eye. " Yes, sir," answered Alvarez, promptly. " Well, slaj) her open, and be lively about it." The Brazilian hastened to unlock the trunk rather nervously. ' ' Anything dutiable ?' ' "Nothing but second-hand clothing, writing 3* 34 AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. materials, medicine, and so on, except a half dozen new shirts never worn." " Ah, well ! We'll see." And the zealous officer ]3roceeded to pile out the clothing and other things around on the dock with most startling rapidity. Alvarez ran one way, and Juan the other, to head off some refractory articles which were about roll- ing into the water. The benevolent gentleman almost lost patience, when a horse planted his great hoof squarely in the back of his dress coat, which he had brought along for possible state occasions. Before he had time to remonstrate, however, a truck backed into him from behind, and sent him sprawling on toj) of his own trunk. The driver cursed him emphatically as he was picking himself up, for his carelessness in getting in the road, and drove off. "I want ten dollars duty for these shirts," said the inspector, at length. "Why! how is that, sir?" put in Juan. "My father only paid five shillings each for them in London. What is the rate on them ?" "Come, come, gents, time's short — I can't stop to teach you the tariff. Hand me two dollars and a AN ESCAPE FROM SHARKS. 35 half, and call it square. Do it quick, and quiet, too — do you mind f Alvarez, somewhat bruised and disordered in his dress, did as directed, and had his trunk marked passed. As he and Juan slowlj^ collected the scattered articles and packed them away, he could not help being surprised at what seemed to him a rather irregular method of collecting the duty. He could not exactly understand how mis- takes could be prevented from creeping in, when so much was apparently left to the discretion of the examiners. However, he concluded there must be some clue to the difficulty which he had not yet mastered. TTWit;. T FTn ivn^ rTT-r]r yffmr nt 'ter- li»ry . MISERABLE SIXXERS. 127 woman, me;uirime, was slowly griiidiug out some doleful and discordant notes in a low, monotonous tone, from a little battered miniature of an organ, which ivsted on the ground in front of her. It was a strangely incongruous picture, formed by these miserable waifs of humanity in the foreground, with the givat, glistening, stately church rising up be- hind. A handsome caiTiage, with a driver and footman in livery, drove up to the entrance. The latter quickly jumped down and opened the door of the coach, from which a portlj' gentleman of advanced years stepped, followed by a richly-di^essed lady, appai-ently his daughter, whom he assisted to alight. A black cloud spread over the features of the gentleman as his eye caught the crouching woman, with her diity little ones. "Damme I What's this f muttered he to him- self. "Jones should be on the lookout better than this. Here you ! get along out of that ! Bless my heai't I it's no good to try to help these aban- doned vagabonds. We raised a liundred and tifty thousand dollars last year to help them along, and there seems to be more p(3or than ever, and the moi^e you give them the lazier they get." HAVE MERCY ON US Just then the policeman sauntered up. "Here, officer," cried the irascible old gentle- man, "drive this woman and her wretched cubs away from here. The audacious beggar ! to come here right in front of the church-door with her in- fernal instrument. Away with her !" The policeman motioned with his club for the outcast to take her load and move on, which she slowly proceeded to get herself together and obey, while the offended church-member, swelling with indignation, entered the sacred edifice and pro- ceeded to his comfortable cushioned seat. Juan watched the retreating form of the poor woman, and wondered what thoughts were working through her dull and sluggish mind, and what con- ception she could possibly have of that Saviour who came down from Heaven to rescue her from destruction, and in whose honor the great church bearing aloft the sacred cross had been raised. That church was nothing to her, that Saviour she had never known or heard about ; she had only reckoned, in her blind, vague way, that there would be a crowd there, and she might pick up a few sorry coins by stationing herself near. Alvarez, with his son, stepped into the vestibule MISERABLE SINNERS. 129 of the church, and stood a few moments. Several others were also standing around irresolute, A no- tice stated that strangers should ask the sexton for seats, but as Alvarez saw no one that appeared to be the sexton, or any one that gave any answer to his general glance of inquiry, he presumed the func- tionary was inside. A large, well-exjDanded in- dividual was sea.ted comfortably out there, gazing around superciliously on the people, and although our traveler could not determine just what his office was, he judged that he could not i)0ssibly be an under-servant of the church. He thought, rather, from the gentleman's lordly ajDpearance and man- ner, that he must be part owner or something extremely elevated. Our travelers, therefore, stepped inside, but had hardly been there two seconds, when an under-sexton pounced in on them, and hustled them out. " Wait outside, will you?" said he, in a savage whisper. As Alvarez and Juan proceeded into the vesti- bule again, the lordly gentleman seated there, who turned out to be the head-sexton, gave them a warn- ing glance, and held up his fat forefinger, at which glance and action they felt considerably awed. I30 HAVE MERCY ON US Two other gentlemen entered from the street, and after standing around a few moments, stepped up to the inner door, and pushing it open an inch or so, peeped into the body of the church. This audacity seemed to irritate the corpulent gentleman almost beyond endurance. "Don't stand round the door there !" cried he, in sharp tones. " Step back, can't you V His features were knotted in an unsightly frown, but changed most rapidly as a wealthy lady and gentleman, pew owners, entered, having just alighted from their carriage. Radiant smiles wreathed his countenance as he hastily arose and showed them to their seats. Members now began to arrive rapidly, but after awhile stopjDed with plenty of pews still vacant. After our travelers had waited around about three-quarters of an hour in all, the florid gentleman beamed upon them, and a land permission was given for two to enter, the other strangers being rigidly frowned back. The latter only succeeded in getting in after consider- able more delay and much difficulty, although the building at last was but about two-thirds full. The minister, in his discourse, made some allu- sion to the inhospitality of his church, and lamented MISERABLE SINNERS. 131 it extremely, but seemed powerless to help it. In fact, the full-blown individual who stationed him- self out in the vestibule, as Captain Manyatt used to describe the commandant of a frigate planting him- self on quarter-deck, seemed the real master of the situation. In an issue, as Alvarez was afterwards informed, which had arisen some time back, whereby some little effort had been made on the part of the pastor to oust the doughty sexton, the latter had confidently asserted that if either went it would be the preacher and not him. The result proved that both stayed, with the officer at the entrance of the church overshadowing the one at the altar in a very marked degree. The sexton had made himself useful and agreeable to the ladies of the congregation ; so much so, that the wives and daughters of the hundred millions or more of capi- tal represented there could not spare him — and he stayed. From the reception they had received, and the general air of the congregation throughout, our travelers had from the first a most uncomfortable sensation of being interlopers and intruders. They felt that they were not wanted, and that the manner of the congregation indicated plainly that they con- 132 HAVE MERCY ON US sidered it unwarranted presumxDtion on the part of any outsider not having a pew of his own to want to come in and worship the Almighty in that building. Our Brazilians, therefore, exi^erienced a sensation of, relief upon getting outside and wending their way back to their hotel. In looking over a morning paper Alvarez saw that a divine at another church had advertised to preach on a certain subject that evening upon which he was anxious to hear a Protestant x^astor dilate. He therefore concluded with Juan to venture once more. Half-past seven found them comfortably seated in a spacious, well-filled church. They had been admitted and ushered to a seat cordially and without delay. The service was interesting and elevating, and our travelers were well pleased. At the close of the service, however, when they were confidently expecting the sermon, the pastor came forward with a few remarks, stating that in conse- quence of more important business, the sermon would be indefinitely postponed. He stated that the congregation was aware of the great debt under which the church groaned, a debt aggregating nearly a quarter of a million dollars. He called to mind the manly hopefulness and faith with which MISERABLE SINNERS. 133 the members had united to pull down the old edifice, which, thougli very good in its way, was scarcely of sufficient dignity for a i3roper worship of Almighty God, and had gloriously incurred the great debt aforesaid. That debt, wliich they had already attacked valiantly in the morning, they were now going to make an effort to pay off entirely that night ; and to this end he introduced to them Mr. Ferguson, who had agreed to lend his valuable as- sistance. As a tall, dark man arose and stepi^ed ujD in front of the church, a gentleman who sat next to Alvarez exclaimed : "By jingo! Ferguson has got along here, too, eh!" "Why, where did he come from '^" asked our Brazilian, with considerable interest. "Come from! Why he's all over, from Cali- fornia to Massachusetts." "And his business f "Is paying off church debts." ' ' Will his fortune be sufficient to pay them all off ?' ' " Fortune ! He hasn't any fortune. He is a trav- eling salesman for a factory, but has a most remark- able faculty for raising money for other people." "An unusual faculty, truly." 134 HAVE MERCY ON US " You see," continued the stranger to Alvarez in a whisper, "nine out of ten of the churches built within the last twenty years, have been built largely on faith and without funds. It is usually calcu- lated that a handsome church with an eloquent minister and fine choir will soon draw a paying congregation, while a humble edifice with inferior accompaniments would stand empty for years. A large majority of churches, being shingled all over with mortgages, are powerless for outside good, having all they can do to raise their interest money. Some church-goers are proud of their debt, and actually reckon it a benefit, as tending to concen- trate work and effort. Besides this, when ap- proached for other charitable objects they can always say, 'Ah! there's our debt, you know ; we must take care of that.' In a very great many of our church edifices, the expounding of God' s word is so intermixed with desperate appeals for money, to stave off foreclosures and pay running expenses, that it is to some people rather discouraging. There is a general tendency among Protestant con- gregations, if any portion becomes dissatisfied, to split up and set up a church on their own account, no matter what it costs." MISERABLE SINNERS. 135 The wliispered conversation was here inter- rupted by the interest excited by Mr. Ferguson's novel method of taking hold. He began by secur- ing the services of eighteen canvassers to work on the main floor, and six to run the galleries, while a secretary was at hand to record the subscriptions as they came in. The first call was for ten pledges of ten thousand dollars each, of which he, Mr. Fer- guson, was authorized to make up the three last. These came in slowly, but when the fund pledged had reached $70,000, a second call was issued for twelve five-thousand-dollar obligations, of which the speaker stood ready to put up the eleventh and twelfth. As the session had already lasted long be- yond the usual time, some began to be uneasy and commenced leaving ; but the pastor arose and most earnestly exhorted the congregation to keep their seats, and not humiliate him by going. Most, therefore, kei)t quiet, our Brazilians among the number, as hour after hour sped away. During this time, the pastor prayed, the manager gave interesting reminiscences of his former successes, and the canvassers continued busily at work. It was nearly midnight before further effort was aban- doned, and the congregation finally dismissed. As 136 MERCY ON US MISERABLE SINNERS. our astonished travelers wended their way out, Al- varez could not help thinking that although it was a glorious thing to pay off a debt, it was a wiser to keep out of it altogether, and "owe no man anything." CHAPTER X. THE IDYLS OF THE RING. JxM^^^ AUNTERING around in the neigli- l^^-^"^jir^ Centre street, a few mornings borlioocl of the City Prison in ^^^::^t^.vV\ after, Alvarez and Juan were r^*:^ 'T/ilf^ overtaken by their old acquain- 6 *^;y /'x vC^ tance Blodson, who, it seemed, ^^Si'-^y'-ft"^ practiced considerably in the SV^ courts there, in the defense of oppressed citizens. "Ah, Senor !" cried the attorney, "still in the city, eh ! Are you ready to go ahead with that prosecution?" "I am still here, for one can't see all there is to seen in a hurry. I find there is much to learn." " Many things are more curious than we sup- posed," said Juan, emphatically. [137] 133 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. " But I have decided not to go to law just yet," said Alvarez. "All! Well, would you like to investigate our Tombs?" " Tombs ! What ! Have you Catacombs, then ?" " Not at all. The prison here, I mean." Our travelers looked up and saw lowering down upon them a dark gloomy structure of gray stone ; it seemed solemn enough and threatening enough to be the receptacle of the dead. They expressed their desire to see the interior of the prison, as they ascended together the steep flight of steps leading to the court rooms. Blodson, telling them to wait a moment, disappeared, and returning shortly after, brought with him three tickets from one of the judges, allowing them admission. The law- yer, stating he had a short time to spare, agreed to accompany them, so they proceeded round the corner to the entrance in Franklin street, and were soon admitted to the court yard of the jail. A feeling of terror smote upon the young soul of Juan, and his breath came thick and short. He had a vague foreboding of something occurring which might prevent him from getting out. He might lose his ticket and the gate-keepers refuse to THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 139 allow Mm to pass ; he therefore clutched it in his hand desperately, and held that hand in his pocket. Carpenters were putting up a triple gallows in . the yard, the sound of their hammers being borne in to the ears of the condemned men on the lower tier of cells. " There is to be an execution," said Alvarez in a whisper to the lawyer, "Yes, three low negroes, about half animals, murdered a poor pedlar in the woods a short time ago, and they are now to suffer the penalty." " Three lives for one, and so soon ! Your death punishment here is swift and sure." "That depends," coolly remarked Blodson. "These chaiDS were poor and had no friends, and the court i3ut 'em right through without delay. But let us enter." They were admitted by another keeper, and mounted a pair of iron stairs to the second tier. There our two travelers walked mournfully along, gazing in the different cells at human beings who appeared as wild animals in cages. They stopped a moment before one cell which had a carpet on, a handsome bed covering, and altogether appeared tolerably luxurious. A good-looking and fashiona- I40 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. bly-dressed young man was standing up, smoking and reading a paper. He sliut his inner iron door quickly when he saw he was being gazed at. Upon inqniry, Alvarez learned that he was a celebrated gentleman, who had calmly waited for his victim, and deliberately taking aim with his pistol, fired twice, threw aside the weapon, and walked away. "Now under sentence of death, I suppose?" "Not at all. Had i:)lenty of money to engage talent. Money can do anything, my friend." "What defense could he possibly have? Me- thinks he would have Ibeen tried at once, and a verdict rendered in a few hours." " Ah ! but his lawyers understood human nature too well. They fought hard for delay, and got it, and delay cooled off the interest in the matter, and the public thirst for vengeance. But even then, on the first trial, he was convicted ; so his lawyers entered the plea of new evidence, and he was granted a new trial." "But they haven't cleared him ?" "Not quite ; but next to it. They finally proved to the satisfaction of the Jury that it was not the prisoner who killed the deceased at all, but the doctors, in probing for the ball. So, after a delay THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 141 of some three years a verdict of manslaughter was brought in with a sentence of a short imprisonment, which imprisonment his lawyers made a move to curtail by deducting all the time he had been in jail already, waiting his numerous hearings and trials. He is about to go up to Sing Sing now, to keep books, or do something or other equally as arduous." " Strange ! And this is justice 'P "Certainly. Nobody need be hung for murder here that has friends enough and money enough. Justice may be blind, but she can always manage to hear the shekels jingle in the rich man's pocket." Alvarez pondered this saying as they mounted up to another tier and continued their mournful walk around. Still another tier of cells above this brought them to the more moderate offenders, where two or three were conlined in the same cage. As they descended and came out once more into the prison- yard, the large gates were opened, and the ' ' black Maria," entered, laden with prisoners from the dif- ferent station-houses at a distance. Our two travel- ers stood one side with their companion, and watched the unloading of the dilapidated wretches, handcuffed two by two. Little did Alvarez suppose that in a short time he would be an occupant of this 142 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. very conveyance, and enter a prisoner into this very court. As they emerged into the street the two strangers gave vent to a sigh of relief, and breathed free once more, Blodson said he would have to return to his office in Nassau street, and his two companions said they would accompany him part of the way. When they reached the corner of Chambers street a great black- ened marble building toward Broadway attracted Alvarez' s attention. It had a huge barn-like wooden structure on toj), and, being all jagged and incom- plete, puzzled our Brazilian not a little. ' ' Is this another prison, a Quaker meeting-house, or what ?" asked he. "My dear sir," replied Blodson, "it is the most celebrated building in the land. It has taken over ten years' time and more than twelve millions in money to get it along so far, and still it is incom- plete." "Why, sir, you surprise me. I would not have supposed it." " And no one else not acquainted with the circum- stances. The bills rendered the city show that 11,000 yards of carpet at an average cost of sixty dol- lars a yard have been spread upon its ample floors, THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 143 2,000 window shades at one hundred dollars each have tempered the light of the glaring sun, while 10,000 chairs at one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars apiece were provided for the weary limbs of the toilers of the law, with 1,000 desks at a thou- sand dollars each, and all other things in the same grand proportion. ' ' "Whatf exclaimed the Brazilian, in astonish- ment, starting forward. "■ Do you hear this, Juan ! Let us hasten to view these splendors. Not the ancient wonders of the Temple at Jerusalem could sui^ass this. Are they accessible to all?" inquired he eagerly of Blodson. " Not so fast ! I said these bills were paid, not that the goods were ever actually furnished." " Certainly a distinction with a difference." "Just so." "But I do not understand how so much money could be paid, and the goods not all delivered." " Very few could for a long time — the process is now found to have been very simple." "Have you no officers appointed to see that the people receive what they pay for." ' ' Oh, yes ! Several signatures are required before bills can be paid ; but in this case everything 144 1'HE IDYLS OF THE RING. was found all straight and legal, with the right names all in the proper i^laces. It is the safeguard of our liberties, Sehor, to abide by the forms of the law." " True ; but it is not clear how it all was brought about. It strikes me as impossible ever to have perpetrated such a wrong." "All! my dear sir, the world progresses. In the clumsy times of the early Kepublic men were children in the art of ruling. The present refine- ment in our official life is the outgrowth of our civ- ilization, and the blossoming of our method of legislation. Why, my dear sir, this city has now some three thousand laws, and over one hundred millions of debt." "I presume, of course, as knowledge advanced methods must have improved," said the Brazilian, decidedly. "Just so," said Blodson, laconically. "Yon see one of our political parties here is run by an organization, more or less secret, of which the head sachem is absolute chief, and dictates his will to that party with the positiveness of the sultan of Turkey." "And this in a free representative govern- ment ?" THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 145 "Precisely. The statesman in the case before ITS, at that time the iDotentate which I hinted at, occupied certain offices himself — nearly a dozen, I believe, all told — others of the organization filled the chief positions in the city, while a iDrotege sat in the governor's chair. The details were easily arranged." Alvarez, who was anxious to learn all he could of this matter, as with all other matters connected with tlie American i^eople, whom he had always ad- mired so much, could not get full satisfaction. The transactions were envelojDed in a vague cloud of mj^stery which he could not seem to penetrate. " Stop a moment !" said Blodson, suddenly, as if recollecting himself. " Suppose we step into the council room here, and you can see the great states- man himself, now on exhibition." Our Brazilians complied with alacrity, and cross- ing over to the City Hall, were soon (m the threshold of the sacred chamber. Taking off their hats they entered on Lip-toe and looked around. The council was assembled, solemnly presided over by a dignified chairman, who seemed, from muscle and features displayed, rather more able to fell an ox than to promulgate rulings to a legislative body. 146 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. Two or three of the members Alvarez recollected to have seen on horseback or in carriages during the procession of the long tails and high hats of St. Patrick's day, while some of the others, he judged must certainly be near relatives to a few of the unfortunates he had Just left at the Tombs. " These, I take it," said Alvarez to Blodson in a whisper, "are the representatives of your best citizens." "Not at all. They are politicians." "Politicians !" "Certainly. You must know there are differ- ent professions and walks in life. My neighbor is a merchant, my brother a doctor, I am a lawyer, these are j)oliticians. The world owes us all a liv- ing, and each one has his fancy how to get it." "But are they a class distinct and not chosen from among your wisest and best ?" inquired Juan, eagerly. " Most assuredly. Our best citizens would hesi- tate to associate Avith these." " And do they allow themselves to be governed, and their money ax)propriated, by men they would not notice socially f persisted the young man. "Nay, Juan," put in Alvarez, reddening a lit- THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 147 tie. " Do not annoy our friend by too many ques- tions." The examination was going forward in a free- and-easy manner, one of the city fathers bearing the burden of the questioning. The great states- man sat in his easy chair and looked smilingly around, apparently not at all awed by the august assemblage which had him in charge. The ques- tioner once in a while gave vent to some rather forcible interjections, as "This won't go down," "Eather too thin," or "Never mind whose corns you tread on, spit it out," and so on. Cigars were being smoked, tobacco juice squirted around, and the air was redolent with the fumes of whisky and beer. Alvarez listened with great interest to the testi- mony of the keen jovial old gentleman, as he every once in awhile hit off a joke that set the company in a roar. His statonient as to his methods of buy- ing up votes at the State Capital, as well as the various prices paid, were made with as much indif^ ference, and quite as much as a matter of course as a farmer would discuss the purchase of sheep. What seemed to add greater zest to his narra- tive, to those by whom he was questioned, as 148 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. well as to himself, was the fact that his principal purchases had been made among the members of the opposite political party, which x^arty had all along pretended to much greater virtue than his own. This furnished material for several very good jokes upon the i)art of the narrator. Alvarez continued to listen in wonder somewhat akin to fear, as the political methods by which a great city Avas governed, and a legislature was bought up, proceeded to be unfolded. The story seemed so strange, involving as it did, so many officials, so many merchants in supposed good standing, so many judges on the bench and editors at their posts, so many individuals in all the walks of life, as to be almost beyond belief. Once our Brazilian would have withdrawn, desiring to keep from Juan's ears the unholy tale, but the young man insisted ux)on staying, saying they had come to investigate fully American affairs, and did not wish to leave anything unlearned. Never would he have supposed that the Avitness before them was the originator, ringleader, head- pusher, in the whole system of plunder and corrui:)- tion, and sat there a self-convicted thief. He imagined that a certain sense of shame and repent- THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 149 ance would have overwhelmed and broken down the old man, and that those around him would have shrunk away in horror, or regarded him as some unusual monstrosity of nature. But, on the con- trary, the unblushing effrontery, the self-possession, not to say self-satisfaction of the former chief, as well as the easy familiarity of his inquisitors, the ex- change of Jokes, and the general good-nature pre- vailing as one reputation after another was black- ened, and one iniquity after another was unfolded, surpassed anything that might have been conceived. The statesman was given a short respite to look over his papers, and see that he did not injure any one of his party that might be on the ticket which was about to be run, and in the mean time an expert in book-keeping was called in. This gentleman's testimony was to the effect that the combination of the city office-holders, during the three years and a half in which they had had full power, had, according to his careful investigations, succeeded in despoiling the city and putting in their own pockets about $26,500,000. The whole had been done according to strict legal forms on the face, by a system of raising bills, forty, fifty, sixty x^er cent, above their true value, and having all such bills I50 THE IDYLS OF THE RING. audited as correct. If there liai^pened to be any law in force interfering with their operations, they promptly went to Albany and had the old law repealed or a new one passed, always ascertaining and ]3aying the cost of such passage. For six years the city had been in full possession of all the facts, and employed able talent to prosecute its claims, but uj) to that time had recovered less than $700,000, at a cost of about a quarter of a million, and this mostly by most shameful comi)romises with certain of the thieves. Blodson had left the council chamber a short time after entering, but the two travelers remained till the end of the session. Before leaving, they learned not only the miserable pecuniary results of the long, cumbersome litigations, but saw also the moral effect that must have been exerted in the long delays, the negotiations, the guarantees, the re- leases, and the legal whitewashings. One of the conspirators, at the time, was riding in his carriage in ostentatious luxury, another accepting compli- ments from the bench, a third in a foreign country coolly negotiating with the officers of justice here, while the leader of the whole sat quietly cracking Jokes with the common council, and haggling over THE IDYLS OF THE RING. 151 the conditions of his release. Altogether, it was a sad and bitter experience for our earnest and honest travelei's, and they felt subdued and unhappy as they turned to leave the room. CHAPTER XL AN ATTACK OJST THE DEVIL. NOTHER week liad passed away, and our two Brazilians, father and son, had continued tlieir pere- grinations and investigations. Many mishaps had befallen them, many surprises had awaited them on every hand. When Sunday arrived once more, they resolved to cross the river, and pass it in the great City of Churches, of which they had heard so much. They had not been altogether j^leased with tlieir experience in the fashionable houses of worship in the metropolis, but they had understood that, in the sister city, things Were conducted in a much more humble and primitive manner. The most famous i^reacher there, they were told, was [153] AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. 153 the Reverend Edward Hale Belcher, though just for what reason he was famous, they did not fully understand. They resolved, however, to visit his church. They started early, and proceeded down to Ful- ton Ferry. The boat was tolerably full, and as the morning was bright, they stood outside the ladies' cabin astern. Just as the iron gates were closed, and the boat about to start, several men, aj^parently in the most frenzied hurry, rushed through the outer entrance, clambered over the bristling spikes, at the risk of impaling themselves, and hastening to the brink of the dock, leaped after the retreating boat. The toes of one of the last individuals just striking the edge, he fell forward, and losing his balance, would have gone overboard, had not Juan grabbed him by the coat collar and hauled him on the boat. Breathless, and his clothing torn, the eager gentleman clung to the chain-post until he could recover himself a little. Alvarez supposed he must be some physician, on the way to a patient dangerously ill, or some official behind time and endeavorkig to keep an important engagement, or at least some one having the most urgent and valuable business to attend to, that he 154 AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. would thus so recklessly risk his life to catch the boat, when, as the Brazilian understood, there would be another in so short a time. Judge of our traveler's surprise, therefore, when upon some respectful questioning, he found him only to be on his way to a friend's house, with whom he intended spending the day, and there was not the slightest need of hurry. He was told, furthermore, shortly after, that many risked their lives and limbs daily in frantic endeavors to catch a boat and reach the other side a few minutes sooner, when they usually had not the slightest use for the time so gained, and, in fact, experienced diflBiculty, in some cases, to kill time at all. The massive stone towers of the Brooklyn bridge, at that time but partially finished, attracted the attention of our travelers. The boat going in the slip immediately adjoining the masonry on the Brooklyn side, the great pile frowned over them in the most fearful and threatening manner. It looked as if it was going to fall and crush boat, peofjle, and everything to atoms. Alvarez accosted a gentleman along side of him, as they were walking ujp Fulton street together. " A great work this, sir." AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. 155 "Yes, indeed," acquiesced the other "I suppose they are shoving it ahead in true American fashion ?' ' "Well, they've been stopped by the usual American impediment." "How's that?" "They are out of funds. The contractors have already spent, on the unfinished towers, as much as was originally estimated for the whole work, laying the bridge and all. Appropriations have been stopped while the parties who had the handling of the money are under indictment for fraud, and their accounts are being investigated in the courts." "Indeed!" " Oh ! yes ; our usual way. It is estimated now that it can't be completed for less than ten mil- lions." ' ' A vast sum ! And will it ever be worth the cost?" "Very doubtful. Certainly never to New York, possibly to Brooklyn in the dim future. In the mean time all sorts of injunctions are being sworn out to assist in hindering the work. It is positively asserted that it will not be high enough, as the plans now are, to allow large vessels to pass under ; 1 5 '3 Ay ATTACK OX THE DEVIL. bnt the engineers prefer to finish it all as it is, so if it should prove too low, and the injunctions hold, the work will have to be removed and done over again at enormous cost. Our usual style. Grood day." TTondering at this information, Alvarez with his son proceeded slowly up Fulton street, following the human stream ahead of him. Obeying the di- rections they had noted down, they soon found themselves in the midst of a great concourse of x>eo- ple, out in the street in front of the church door. Seeing others going in briskly, they also advanced, but was stopped bj% the usher who was out on the sidewalk, near one of the gates, talking most ear- nestly to the crowd. •• Have you seats V asked he sharply of them. " We are looking for seats, sir." *' Can't come in : step back."' Alvarez, from his short sojourn in America, already having had his preconceived ideas much confused, had somehow gathered up the conviction that money was the ruling power, and to get any- where or do anything was only a question of price. He therefore promptly pulled out his pocket-book, and wanted to know how much two good seats would be. AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. 157 ' ' Confound your eyes ! ' ' involuntarily ex- claimed the irritated usher. ' ' Get back there and stand up alongside the fence, can't you ? " Alvarez could not seem to thoroughly under- stand the matter, and as he was still hesitating, a burly policeman, who was on guard, took him by the collar and slammed him up against the iron railing with considerable violence, at the same time exclaiming : " Ye can't make any muss here, ye ould villin !" Juan, who had hold of his father's arm, shared the shock, and both were silent from surprise and indignation. They noticed six policemen in all on duty, and judged a most unruly lot of religious vagabonds must be in the habit of coming there, to require such a force to keep them in order. They thought perhaps the magic of the jDreacher's elo- quence might be such that he drew a collection of abandoned desperadoes to him that no other min- ister could. In this idea they felt some comfort. Very much fearing arrest if they stepped out of line, as the jDoliceman still had his eye sharply on them, they stood still in fear and trembling. At length some sort of signal was given, and they felt themselves suddenly borne forward by the surging 158 AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. crowd behind. Crushed and breathless, unable to withstand the rush, they were almost lifted from their feet, as they found themselves crammed through two doorways, and finally inside the church. There they at length obtained rest by being given seats in the aisle, in which they thank- fully placed themselves and looked around. A large, jjlain edifice, having great blank staring walls, but capable, from the number of seats in gal- lery and ground floor, of holding a very large number of people, was at that time filled to over- flowing, from top to bottom. A massive organ stood in the back of the church, beneath which a plain platform, with steps leading up each side, a table, a large stand of flowers, and an easy chair, completed the machinery of the pulpit. The Rev. Edward Hale Belcher soon entered, ui3on which there was a perceptible motion of ex- citement and anticipation in the vast audience. A piece of music by the expert part of the choir, a lowly-murmured prayer by the minister, a hymn sung by the whole congregation, a chapter from the Bible, a long prayer, the reading of notices, and another hymn, and the preacher was at length ready for his discourse. A AT ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. 159 His text was upon Charity in its broad sense — the dnty of man to be considerate toward his fellow- men. He proceeded to the unfolding of his theories in the most masterly manner, and riddled the want of liberality and the narrow-minded- ness found in so many people. He attacked the foundations of many honest persons' religion by ridiculing the strictness and prejudice with which they clung to the old-time convictions of their fore- fathers. "Many men," said he, "think religion consists in looking solemn, and doing nothing bad. But their great apprehension of not doing anything which could bear the ajDpearance of evil, frequently leads them to do nothing at all. What kind of a liusbandman would that be who should give his entire attention solely to keeping down the weeds % A friend might visit him at harvest time and be shown all over the farm," — here he walked around the platform in the manner of a self-satisfied farmer showing around another — "admiring the clean roadways, the well-i^loughed and furrowed fields, and then inquire, 'But, sir, where' s your corn?' 'Oh! I haven't any corn.' 'No corn! well, Where's your oats, and hay f 'Didn't raise any oats or hay.' 'Well! where' s your vegetables i6o AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. and fruit, then V ' My dear sir, I haven' t paid at- tention to any thing of these things.' ' Well then ! what under the sun have you raised ?' ' Raised ! why, no weeds. ^ " When this anecdote was finished there was at li]-st a murmur, and afterwards a roar of laughter through the audience. One man in the gallery even knocked on the floor with his cane, in his enthusiasm. In a few moments after, the preacher had glided from the humorous into the pathetic, and telling some very touching incident, the whole audience was instantly in tears. But the preacher proceeded, aiming blow after blow against many an old-fashioned idea and cus- tom. At length he seemed to strike a defiant tone, and making some personal allusion to himself, which Alvarez did not fully understand, he rose to a pitch of most enthusiastic eloquence and brought down the house in a round of cheers. Thus the alternate laughing, crying, and cheering proceeded throughout the discourse. The i)lace of eternal torment seemed a location against which the preacher had an especial antij)- athy, and several times during the sermon he shot out sentences placing Hades and the ideas of many persons coJicerning^it in a most ludicrous light. AJV ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. i6i To Alvarez it was certainly somewliat exciting and altogether more interesting than anything he had witnessed in the other city the Sunday before. But the whole performance was exceedingly be- wildering to him. Although much more lively and more entertaining than many xolaces of amusement, where he had spent considerable money, and which made much greater pretenses, he had thought all the time that he was in a place of worship, and in any event had been admitted free of expense. The leading religious idea he gathered from the discourse was, that everybody should be exceed- ingly tolerant of everything, and liberality of thouglit should be the order of the day. If a man had convictions let him have them, if they pleased him, although another might believe them mixed with error. Man was a free agent in a certain sense, but a creature of predestination in another, and everything would come out all right in the end. It struck Alvarez that such an exceeding amount of liberality, carried to its logical extent, might degenerate into license, and a man living a free-and-easy sort of life, and believing others should do the same, would have poor armor to resist temx)tation in the hour of tiial. i62 AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. Alvarez was not a bigoted man, but lie had old- fashioned ideas on many subjects. An eternal place of iDunisliment he had believed implicitly in from his childhood, and to hear it now treated in this style was not altogether pleasant. Besides this, from his reading of American history, he had somehow imbibed the idea, that the stern old Pil- grims, in their rigid ideas of right and wrong, and in a certain uncompromising attitude toward sin in any shape, as unlovely and unmerciful as they were in many resj^ects, had still tended largely, if not mainly, to give backbone and character to the young country and instil into its people that early virtuous indignation against tyranny and wrong, whicli had given them so glorious a record among mankind. The whole drift of the sermon, or lec- ture, he had heard, tended to a complete breaking up of all this and an effort to place such ideas in a ridiculous aspect. The discourse was finally brought to a close, and a collection ordered to be taken up. Juan suddenly recognized Mr. Milman passing one of the plates, and designated him to his father. As Mr. Milman was coming down the aisle in which our travelers were located, he had soon reached and recognized them. AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. 163 •' Will see you after church," he whispered, as he passed on. The service entirely over, the great body of people began to troop slowly out. When they reached the street, Milman soon caught up with Alvarez and his son, and mutual salutations passed. " You should have told me you were coming, and I would have brought you in our pew," said Milman. "Oh! thank you," replied Alvarez, "we did very well," at the same time thinking of his rather rough reception against the iron railing. " Well, now you are here, you must come right home to dinner with me. You have already delayed too long your promised visit." "We had not thought of it when we started, but shall gladly accept your kind invitation." " My wife and daughter are eager to see you." They conversed pleasantly awhile as they walked along, our travelers keenly on the watch for anything new or strange. Alvarez had overheard a dialogue between two gentlemen, who were conversing in an undertone, as they were squeezing out of church, and it had mystified him somewhat. i64 AN ATTACK ON THE DEVIL. "Belcher rather let himself out to-day," said number one. " Well, yes, rather," replied his friend. "Noth- ing of the ragged edge visible, though." "No, but a pretty straight invitation to the old boy to ' step down and out.' " "Yes. It may be all well enough for Mm to have a belief about that functionary being played out, but I don't see why he can't let the rest of the people enjoy him as much as they please." "So he ought. But we (?an't afford to lose Belcher at any cost. He's too big a gun; he's made this church, and there's nobody to take his place." With this, the friends had reached the street and passed out of hearing. A pleasant walk of a few minutes brought our travelers to the house of their friendly host on the Heights, which overlooked the water and the great city beyond. CHAPTER XIT. CATARACTS OF FLAMING VENGEANCE. HEY found tliat Mrs. Milman and Miss BeUa had arrived at the man- sion before them, and cordial in- -- (k^r^ ^^ trodnctions took place all around. ? ^i^% \ The wife of our banker was a well- dressed and good-looking middle- aged lady. Her daughter, likewise exceedingly attractive, though young in years, seemed to possess a calm self-command that was somewhat remarkable. It may be as well to say that the arrival of the strangers, at some time or other, had not been unex- pected, and the two ladies had been more or less im- patient at the rather long delay. Mr. Milman had told his wife that he expected Sehor Alvarez with his son ; that he was a rich and ailtivated Brazilian |_105J i66 CATARACTS OF gentleman, traveling for amusement and instruction, and he wished him to be received in proper style. Mrs. Milman took mental note of all this, but went much further in her plans than her husband sup- posed. If the man was rich, cultivated, nothing to do but travel, and with a marriageable son on his hands, he certainly was worth attention. Bella was rapidly growing older, and though accomplished and I)retty, nothing satisfactory in the matrimonial line had as yet offered. A campaign each at Saratoga and Long Branch, with two winters in society at home, had only brought three offers of indifferent poor-devil clerks, more or less presumptuous on their part, and, of course, such as could not be accepted. A good understanding existed between the mother and daughter, of which the following con- versation may serve as an example. " You must see to it, Bella, that you entertain the young man properly. He is very rich." "Well! But I believe all these Brazilians are negroes." " Suppose they are. Let him be as black as the ace of spades, as long as he owns a diamond mine, as Papa says he believes he does." FLAMING VENGEANCE. 167 " La ! Diamonds by the bushel are worth consid- ering." "And you recollect the great Cuban marriage, a year or so ago, what a sensation it made. My dear, if you play your cards well, we will beat that, and have both cities in an uproar Avith the great Brazil- ian marriage. I don' t care how black or how ugly he may be." "Well, if it comes to that, nor I," said the pretty Bella, shrugging her shoulders. "I have no doubt I could manage him easy enough, and I'd be sure to get money enough out of him. Pa^Da has been awfully stingy of late, and I've felt myself looking as shabby as a beggar." "Well, your papa says you are costing him a great deal of money." Bella put out her cherry lips in a little pout, and tapped her tiny foot impatiently on the carpet. Thus the consultation ended for that day, but was resumed again at intervals, while getting some feminine dec- orations in order, in time for the expected arrival. Alvarez and Juan was shown in the parlor by the gentleman of the house, while the ladies re- moved their things and got themselves in shape for dinner. 1 68 CATARACTS OF "Your pastor is exceedingly liberal in Ms ideas," said Alvarez to Milman, as the three gentle- men were comfortably seated in the parlor. "Yes, it is the tendency of the age and the country we live in," rejDlied the host. "Mr. Belcher has always been a pioneer in thought, and has done much to break up many a time-honored prejudice. Liberality to all is his great watchword, and is gradually extending among all classes of our people. Take our business men, for instance — how easy they now give credit, and how lenient toward a man in his misfortunes. Every merchant is sup- posed to fail once, and many twice or thrice, before they get on any satisfactory foundation to them- selves or the community. It used to be considered in xDrimJtive times, and is even now in some other countries, a disgrace for a man to undertake engagements he could not meet ; and when a mer- chant failed with a reasonable indication of reck- lessness, bad management, or dishonesty, he could never get credit again, even by giving up every- thing he had to his creditors. It is now con- sidered foolhardy for a man to give up all or anywhere near all, and the one who has the greatest capacity to fix things, and come out ahead after FLAMING VENGEANCE. 169 making a settlement, is x>oii^tecl out as a smart man." " You are an ingenious people," said Alvarez. "The reasoning is sound," resumed Milman. "It is held that if one does not look out for himself no one will look out for him, and unless he makes some provision for a fair capital to start with again, he will be all at sea. A wife is a great help in time of failure, as it is usually found that all the prop- erty is in her name, and if there is any delay or difficulty in getting a settlement, the merchant can go right on and do business as agent for his wife." " True, so he can," mused Alvarez. "Our bankrupt law is also a great help to mer- chants who can' t i^ay their debts. It has received some modification at the present time which renders it a little more embarrassing ; but formerly all a person had to do was to step up and svv^ear he had turned over all he i^ossessed, with some few excep- tions which the law allowed him, and he received a full and free discharge from all his debts and could go on unincumbered in business. ISTow a bankrupt cannot voluntarily take the benefit of the act and receive a discharge without his estate pays thirty per cent., but as it only takes one-third the number lyo CATARACTS OF of creditors, and one-qnarter the amonnt of indebt- edness, to put liim into involuntary bankruptcy, wlien he may receive his discharge no matter what he pays, it always turns out that a smart man has relations enough to whom he owes borrowed money, real or imaginary, and friends enough to whom he may be indebted petty amounts, to fix this all right for him. In any case, the real creditors sel- dom get anything, as expenses, delays and licti- tious claims usually eat up all. But they are used to it, and don't care." "Ah! I see,'' said Alvarez ; "the law favors the unfortunate debtor class, and shields him from the grasp of the unscrupulous creditor." "Precisely. The thing has become so common that some stationers iind it profitable to have blanks printed which can be hlled ux^ at pleasure. New York merchants frequently receive notices like the following : "'Dear Sir: Upon investigating our aifairs we Iind the best we can offer our creditors will be forty X^er cent., in four equal X)aymeiits at six, twelve, eighteen and twentj'-four months. Failing to g^t a receipt in full on this basis, we shall be compelled to go into bankruptc}^, when, as you know, tlie FLAMING VENGEANCE. 171 estate will probably take much longer to settle, and net yon considerablj'- less. You are given till the 10 til inst. to respond. ' Respectfully, 'Brown & Robinson.' " The merchant so written rarely holds out." "Indeed!" "The credit system with us is now perfect and universal. Nobody pays cash for anything. The consumer buys what he Avants from the retail dealer without money, the retail dealer the same from the wholesale dealer, the latter from the jobber, and the jobber from the importer or the manufacturer, who in turn owes the banker — which banker passes out the governmental paper promises to i^ay. It is interesting to contemplate, this continuous chain of credit, which is altogether an outgrowth of our modern civilization. We are living entirely upon credit, and no nation in the world owes more than we. From the central government to States, muni- cipalities, corporations and individuals, we are carrying a debt equal to Atlas carrying the world." The conversation was here interrupted by dinner being announced. After a long and solemn grace by Milman, the meal began. Juan was placed by 172 CATARACTS OF Bella, as a matter of course. The young lady had entered decorated in the most attractive manner. Diamonds were sx)arkling from her ears, and shining luminous from her delicate hands. "I suppose such stones are very plentiful with you," said she to Juan, with a smiJe. "They are found in considerable quantities in our country," replied the young man ; "but only by great labor and loss of life." The young lady exerted herself to be entertain- ing, and no one could be more so when she was in the humor. Her. bright little speeches, her soft voice, her gay laughter and arch smile quite capti- vated the young man, who began to exjDerience a strange fluttering at his heart, which he had never known before. After dinner, the party again with- drew to the parlor, Juan and Bella taking the front room., while Alvarez and his host settled themselves comfortably for a smoke and a talk in the back. Mrs. Milman was absent, attending to the children. The conversation of the young peoj^le, it will be needless to follow ; but the discourse of Milman to his guest it may be interesting to know. "Take the Bible, now," said he, resuming in a measure the same themes he was pursuing before FLAMING VENGEANCE. 173 dinner. "Peoples' ideas are altogether changing in regard to it. Many in our country sui^posed in for- mer times that every word and line was insx)ired from Heaven, and regarded the Book itself, wher- ever found, with a superstitious awe and reverence, as if there was some peculiar efficacy in the binding and printing. Our minister shows us that number- less passages do not mean what they say. Things which old-time people regarded as literal are now found to be only metaphorical, and thus a number of unpleasant and difficult texts are easily gotten around. The tendency of our country is not to stand in stupid reverence at anything, but to investi- gate and dissect. In our time a schoolboy will frequently know more about the Bible than his grandfather." " Your youth are extremely forward, I have no- ticed," said Alvarez, musingly. "The observance of the Sabbath comes in the same category," continued Milman, "People no longer think it necessary to keep quiet on that day, look solemn, and read good books. Our preacher tells us Christians should be quite as cheerful on the Sabbath as at any other time. Many, therefore, look upon the first day of the week as a holiday to 174 CATARACTS OF be made the most of, and laugh at those who stick to the old manner of observing it." " There always has been a conflict of opinion as to the proper observance of the Sabbath," said the Brazilian. " Yes ; but in our country there used to be strong prejudices on the subject, which are now being rapidly done away with. As I have been trying to impress upon you, the tendency is toward a larger liberty. Now, then, as to the matrimonial tie," continued Milman, sinking his voice, "it is the growing belief, held by many that have not courage to say so, that there is altogether too much tyranny exercised in that. Contemplate the hideous cruelty of keex^ing a man and woman tied together after they have ceased to love, or, in fact, after their love has turned to hate, and the soul of each yearns to- wards another. Certainly there is crime somewhere in this. The people, however, who formerly rejected certain advanced ideas with horror, are now willing to investigate. In the late dastardly attack upon our pastor, when the first stone was thrown by a pair of adventurous women in a sheet of theirs, con- taining a comparatively short account of the matter, a cry of indignation and disgust went up all over FLAMING VENGEANCE. 175 the land, and the unfortunate wretches were thrown in the city prison, and prosecuted by the district attorney, for circulating obscene matter through the mails. But when our great trial was going on, of Avhicli I may tell you some day, almost every prom- inent daily in the country published the full details, no matter how shocking, and they were everywhere read with avidity." Thus Milman continued to discourse upon the tendencies of the day, and the ardent thirst for more freedom in all directions. Skillfully conceal- ing his own real sentiments on tlie ideas he ad- vanced, he presented the questions, one after another, as a person who had contemplated the propositions, but took little real interest in them. Before the conversation had fully ended a close familiarity had grown up betv/een Alvarez and the American banker. The Brazilian was willing to acknowledge that some dangerous tendencies as well as some strange beliefs were prevalent among the people, but he regarded Milman, in some way or other, as walking amid dangers with a charmed life, and living on a plane outside of and above that which might affect other men, Alvarez had mentioned that he had dei^osited in 176 CATARACTS OF London an extra thousand pounds, to be available in case of emergency, upon wliich he was receiving but a very small interest. Milman had told him that in this he made a big mistake, because, if he had the money here, there were constant opportuni- ties offering to invest at good advantage, and the amount might be doubled before he wanted to use it. Alvarez, after some consideration, concluded it would be wise for him to do this, and accordingly, the next day, signed a draft- to the order of Milman for the amount, leaving it on deposit with him, with the other unexpended funds he already had. The evening of the Sunday in question, it had been arranged, should be spent at the great taber- nacle of the Reverend Howard Bouncer. Juan was to escort Bella, and Milman was to accompany Al- varez. They were a little late in starting, so that the great building, arranged in amphitheatrical style, was filled to overflowing Avhen they arrived. As they looked in at the front entrance, the vast audience Avere on their feet, singing as if to split their throats, while the great organ was pealing forth its tremen- dous notes of praise, and a tall man, with mustache and goatee, standing on a platform with a bugle to his mouth, was leading the combined melody. Al- FLAMING VENGEANCE. 177 varez liacl never witnessed anything so tremendous, and tlionglit, not to be irreverent, tliat if the Almighty had been hard of hearing even, the an- them could scarcely have failed to reach Him. Amid this clamor, they wended their way to a side aisle, and there being only one seat found for the lady, one of the ushers very obligingly gave the gentlemen seats on the steps of the pulpit. Alvarez mounting first, his head came about even with the level of the platform. The great audience at length sat down, and then our travelers could see the ex- tent and admirable arrangement of the building. Three great chandeliers, lighted by electricity, hung from the ceiling, besides several others on the sides more easy of access. Alvarez was anxious to see the jDreacher as his curiosity had been greatly excited. He had over- heard one young man ask another out on the side- walk, "if he was going in to see the gorilla," though just what was alluded to the Brazilian hardly knew. He was, therefore, about prepared for anything. A tall, lean man rose up from the platform, and advancing to the edge with a Bible in his hand, opened his mouth to read — an enormous mouth, stretching almost from ear to ear. He was a 8* 178 CATARACTS OF man full of sharp angles, and his every attitude fur- nished a sort of geometrical diagram. His voice grated harshly upon the line sensibilities of the Brazilian — almost like the filing of a saw, and his reading of the chaj^ter was so intermixed with re- marks of his own, that it was difficult for one not decidedly on the alert to tell which was St. Mat- thew's, and which the Reverend Bouncer's. He read without explanatory break or emphasis : "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted 1 ]S"o good, only fit to chuck out and make sidewalks of," and so on. His giving out and reading of the hymn was equally peculiar, not to say startling. When the announcement of the hymn was finished the bugler took his stand, the audience arose, and again the thunder pealed forth. One thing Alvarez early made up his mind to — that the most inveterate church sleeper would scarcely have been able to get a comfortable nap there. The service ended, the sermon began. The sub- ject was the parable of Dives and Lazarus, and was most graphically wrought out. The preacher did not mince matters ; the rich man dwelling in his palace, " clothed in jDurple and fine linen, and far- FLAMING VENGEANCE. 179 ing sumptuously every day," was most painfully contrasted with the sasie gentleman in altogether different quarters. Hell was pictured up so terribly that one felt the flames and sm^elled the brimstone. There was no doubt in his mind on the subject. "This is no typical flame!" shouted the preacher. "These are no metaphorical embers! but from the bottom of my heart I believe it to be literal hell FIRE." The last words were yelled out so energeti- cally that Alvarez nearly jumped from his seat, while a woman in the body of the church fainted and was carried out. The famous dialogue between the rich man and Father Abraham across the great gulf was most exciting, as the speaker gave each part in character. The flnal howl of despair of the sinner, when he found that none of his requests could be granted, was so demoniac, and was accompanied by such frantic gestures on the part of the loreacher, that Alvarez judged he had actually gone mad and might resort to violence upon those around him. However, as our traveler was wedged in firmly, he could not have budged, if he had been about to be torn to pieces. Several times already, as the speaker, in his eccentric and energetic evolutions, i8o CATARACTS OF had advanced with his great feet to within a few inches of the Brazilian's head, the latter had shrunk back in alarm. At the close, the joreacher called upon all those who were on the side of Christ to stand up. The wdiole congregation arose, but as Alvarez could not get up without great difficulty, and as he had not thoroughly understood the request, he kept his seat. The Avliole mass of jj^^ple, therefore, being up, stared at him, facing them, as they supposed, de- fiantly, and keeping his seat under such circum- stances. They took him for some dangerous infidel who had obtruded himself among them. However, all things have an end, and the party at length found themselves in the street. Desjiite the violence and grotesqueness of the preacher, Alvarez could not help acknowledging that his subject was most graphically set forth, and full of sound practical lessons, calculated to imj)ress the masses of the people and do them good. Our Brazilian judged that the strange idiosyncrasies of Bouncer, on the whole, had a more healthy tone than the fascinating insidiousness of Belcher. He acknowledged to himself as the result of his attend- ance at two places of worship that day, that the FLAMING VENGEANCE. City of Cliiirclies was about as lively a place to spend a Sabbath in as one could well imagine. Juan was altogether taken up with his fair partner, whose light touch ux)on his arm thrilled him through and through. Our two travelers parted from their friends at the door of the latter' s residence, and proceeded on over across the ferry tov/ard the hotel. Bella just looked in at her mother s room as she passed the door. "Ah, mother!" said she with a little yawn, "I don't find him so had.'''' Before our travelers reached their hotel, the car in which they were riding was suddenly stopped at the corner of a certain street, by a great concourse of people issuing from a large building hard by. They seemed exceedingly respectable, and ap- parently quite enthusiastic at what they had heard. Being somevv^hat interested, Alvarez asked the con- ductor the cause of the gathering, and was told that a great man from the West had been enlighten- ing the people. He had been making great efforts to knock spots generally out of the Bible, and considered himself as having succeeded pretty well. Some folks said he was one of the smartest men that ever lived. CHAPTER XIII. THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. FEW morning's after, Alvarez, feeling somewhat indisposed, liad not arisen at the usual time, but decided to take a light breakfast in bed. Juan had gone down in the breakfast-room alone. He had been absent only a very few minutes, and our elderly traveler had just sunk in a doze, when he was aroused by a tai^ at his door. " Come in," cried he, rousing up. A waiter put in his head. " Gentleman, sir, wishes to see you, sir." " Did he state his business ?" " Did not, sir ; only seemed to be urgent, sir." " Well, I'm unwell, and can't see him." [183] THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 183 The waiter withdrew, and Alvarez again courted slumber. He had slept but little the night before, and was sorely in need of rest. Two minutes after came another tap at his door. ' ' W ell % What' s the matter no w ?' ' The waiter again put his head in the door. "Gentleman, sir, says he m%5^ see you, sir. It is very important." "I'm sick. I'm worn out, and I want some rest. Tell him to come again this afternoon, or " "My dear sir," said a sharp, strange voice just outside, "i^ardonme." At the same time a most restless and eager-look- ing young man stepped into the i^oom and jDulled off his hat. His eyes looked as if they might have pierced a two-inch board, as well as possessing the properties of a crab, from the fact of his being able to shove them out and draw them in at will. The corners of his mouth betrayed the habitual use of tobacco, while his tangled locks gave evidence of the rather infrequent use of a comb. Alvarez, raising himself on his elbow, waited for his visitor to speak. "I respect your privacy, sir, but the public must be gratified. If you i)ermit me I will take a seat." 1 84 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. Alvarez nodded, though still somewhat in doubt as to what it all meant. He had been in the coun- try just long enough, however, to be prepared for . almost anything, and therefore waited calmly. The visitor took out a note-book and sharpened his pencil. "Now sir, are you ready ?" "Ready!" asked Alvarez, more and more be- wildered. He was in doubt as to whether his vis- itor was an artist about to take his picture unsoli- cited, or what he was. "I see by the register," said the interviewer, " that you have entered yourself as simply Pedro Alvarez — if you wish it I will respect your incog- nito, but there are others wdio would not, and I don't want to be beat. By what route did you come from Brazil, Sehor ?" Our Brazilian, thinking this might be some public functionary, drawing a big salary, whose duty it was to get statistics of strangers upon their arrival, answered : " We took boat from Santos to Rio Janeiro, and steamer from thence to London. We afterward em- barked from Liverpool to New York." The reporter scratched a few lines rapidly. TVcOisZ^ THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 185 ' ' And what do you think of our country, Senor T " Keally, sir, I have not yet had an opi)ortunity to investigate very thoroughly " "But, sir, as far as you've gone ?" "I confess myself, in many things, to have been very much astonished." "Ah! good!" exclaimed the reporter, v^^riting rapidly. "A person from your country would have much to learn, eh?" "Undoubtedly." The interview proceeded remorselessly, Alvarez being probed with more questions than a witness on the stand. He was tempted and excited to talk on anything and everything, and was put through a general course of sprouts in the most thorough manner. Several times he placed his hand to his aching head, and wished the trial was ended ; but his usual politeness and amiability got the better of his impatience and suffering, and led him to answer, after some fashion, all questions. Whenever he stopped or hesitated, the inquisitor darted his crab- like eyes at the sufferer, and urged him on. Juan came at length, followed \>y a waiter with some breakfast, and succeeded in breaking up the inter- 1 86 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. view, upon which Alvarez sank back upon his pillow exhausted. After almost the entire day silent in bed, the in- valid felt himself much better, and resolved on a short walk in the street with his son. As they passed a corner, a boy with newspapers was halloo- ing most vociferously : "Here you are, live o'clock !" As it was but a little after four, our travelers were rather puzzled to know what he meant. Again he yelled out : ''■Fide o'clocJc — got the Emperor in disguise." "Look here, my boy !" said Alvarez, paternally. " What do you mean ? It isn't five o'clock yet." "Aw! don't give it away, man! Don't you know what th' five o'clock 'dition is?" asked the lad, rather contemjotuously. "Ah! he alludes to the paper — I see! Well, we'll take one." The purchase was soon made, and the juvenile continued his noisy course down the street. As Alvarez could not read readily without his glasses, he handed over the paper to Juan. The latter was immediately attracted to the first page, upon which was displayed, in great head-lines, the following : THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 187 A Great Nobleman in Disguise. A Brazilian Lord Among Us. Supposed to be the Emperor. An Account of His Journey. His Views and Opinions. Our Eeporter's Interview. Not kno^^ing who could be intended by this, and being much surprised that the Emperor should have conceived the idea of visiting the country so sud- denly, Juan continued to read aloud with great interest as they walked slowly along. What was the astonishment of both, to find the nobleman to be no other than Pedro Alvarez, who was before this entirely ignorant that he was a lord. His full name, hotel, and all sorts of particulars were given. He could not heljD being amused as well as annoyed at the elaborate and thor- ough article he found there in the "Lightning Flash." The interview of the morning then came back to his mind, and he was more astonished than ever at the industry and expertness of the eager 1 88 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. young man, to be able, from such slender materials, to write out such an interesting narrative in so short a space of time. He found himself described per- sonally, and was happy to learn that he was a well- proiDortioned, intelligent-looking man, with a benevolent cast of features. The minutest particu- lars of his dress were also set forth, which was the more surprising, seeing that he had been in bed during the whole interview, with his clothes partly on a peg, and partly on a chair-back. His voyage was detailed in a graphic manner, with some inci- dental descriptions of Brazil, which latter Alvarez concluded, since Brazil v^as so large a country, must apxoly to some i^art of which he had no knowledge. The opinions of the supposed nobleman on x)olitics, religion, finance, and a multitude of other topics, were all detailed, and puzzled Alvarez not a little, since he was not aware of ever having entertained any such views. The object of his mission to this country was involved in mystery, as well as his pos- itive identity. Several ingenious theories were advanced on this head by the report, but the one that was most favored was, that Pedro Alvarez could be no other than the Emperor Dom Pedro himself, in disG:uise. A half- column editorial collated the THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 189 article in question, and commented ni3on it in a most interesting manner. The editor seemed to thinlv that Dom Pedro might be able to prove an alibi, since he was reported by cable to be still in Rio Janeiro; but, as he was known to be a most rapid traveler, he might have slipped over here right after the message, and be in our country at the present moment. In any case if it was the Emperor, and he wished to travel incognito, why let him do so— the "Lightning Flash" would be the last to expose him. Our two travelers wended their way back to the hotel thoughtfully, not knowing whether to take the matter as a joke or view it as a mistake. Alvarez's impulse was to find out the office of the paper and inform the editor of the error, but he afterward concluded to let it go. As they entered the office of the hotel, the clerk said quickly to some gentlemen that stood by : " Why ! there he is now." Alvarez at once found himself surrounded by eight different individuals, each of whom held out a card at him. Hemmed in thus by a bristling line of pasteboard, our traveler was very much puzzled just what to do. He read one or two of I90 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. the cards, as the owners assumed attitudes, and smiled and bowed before him. Mr. Jones of the "Crier," Mr. Brown of the "Bugle," Thompson of the "Globe," and Ferguson of the "Mentor," received a glance from him. It dawned upon Alvarez, that he was at length brought face to face with a regular army of interviewers, and his only safety lay in taking a determined stand. "Gentlemen, you must excuse me. I shall de- cline to answer any questions. I have been inter- viewed already to my heart's content. I would desire, however, to set you and others right on one point. The representative of the ' Lightning Flash ' this morning, made a serious error in taking me for a nobleman. I am no nobleman ; only a private person, traveling for pleasure and information. Gentlemen, good-day." Alvarez turned and was about to depart. Most of the members of the press seemed satisfied, but Just as our traveler had reached the head of the stairs on the first landing, he was overtaken by the veteran Ferguson, who whispered, with a sly wink : " I understand it ; you want to get rid of those fellows. Confounded bores ! I'll be back and see you later." THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 191 But Alvarez little knew what was in store for for him. The next morning he literally awoke to find himself famous. Modest and retiring always, without the faintest conception of wishing to repre- sent himself anything different from what he really was, he found notoriety forced upon him. The mere suspicion of having a nobleman in disguise among them, with a possibility of his being the Em- l^eror himself, was sufiicient to rouse the enthusi- asm of a large body of the citizens in the Metrop- olis of the Republic. Alvarez had explained to Juan a short time previous to this, that in America the people were supreme, and no orders of nobility or castes in society existed ; that the honest man, the brave one who had served his country well, or the genius which had called into being some hith- erto unknown truth, were the true nobility, and as such were looked up to and reverenced ; while for- eign blood distinctions were universally ridiculed in the United States. Our two travelers observed in the breakfast-room that they were objects of unusual notice. Gentle- men quietly pointed them out to their friends as they x>assed along, and several ladies eyed Juan with a most admiring interest. The head waiter 192 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. accompanied tliem the whole distance to their table, and pulled out their chairs with a grand swoop, and then shoved them under their bended forms with great consideration. Even the under waiter showed rather more teeth than usual. Every morning paper was found to have devoted a column at least to the matter, and Alvarez saw himself described and ventilated in every conceiv- able style. He might be said never to have known so many curious circumstances about his appear- ance and opinions as now. Nor did Juan escape dissection in an equally thorough manner. As they left the breakfast-room, Alvarez caught sight of his friend from the "Lightning Flash" talking with the waiter, and at once came to the conclusion that his, the supposed Emperor's, breakfast would be fully detailed in the afternoon. Upon calling for his mail at the ofRce, the smiling clerk informed him that it was rather heavy this morning, and that he had sent it up to his room. Upon hastening thither, Alvarez found a bushel basket running over with epistles addressed to him — all sorts of letters from all sorts of jDersons. He knew not where to begin, and hardly dare attempt any. Invitations from everywhere and to THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER, i 93 everything ; propositions from inventors wlio had something exactly suitable for Brazil ; offers from several gentlemen and five or six females to accom- pany him in his travels and show him the country thoroughly ; urgent requests from several photo- graphers, with multitudes of other proposals of the most varied and interesting types. The poor gen- tleman was overv/helmed and bewildered. Juan worked until he was tired out, oi^ening and reading snatches from the various letters, and hnally begged his father to desist, at least for that day. Upon looking out the front window they saw a great concourse of people gathered in front of the hotel, waiting patiently and apparently watching for somebody to come out. Alvarez at once con- cluded that it was for him they were lying in wait, and was in despair. He knew not what they would do with him when he went out, or how many would follow him around wherever he went, but in any case, he judged it wisest, if there was any way pos- sible to give them the slip, to do so. A short con- sultation with a bell-boy, and a small fee, elicited the information that he could get into the street by a back way unobserved, by going through part of the kitchen and out a long narrow alley. Our traveler 194 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. joyfully embraced this opportunity of escape, and, accompanied by his son, threaded his way through to the oj)on air. Late in the afternoon, as they returned, cantious and apprehensive, they had no sooner reached their rooms than they were waited on successively by : First, some delegates from the Mayor, desiring to arrange a public reception ; Second, three members, as a committee, from a celebrated club, reqnesting him to appoint an evening convenient to participate in a grand public dinner ; Third, by several distin- guished citizens who were desirous of organizing a monster ball in his honor. All of these illustrions comjjliments he declined. He protested, with tears in his eyes, that he was not a nobleman, let alone the Emperor, that he was nothing else but what he pretended to be, merely a plain Brazilian gentleman traveling with his son. Finally his visitors were induced to leave him, after the most earnest en- treaty upon the part of their victim. They de- parted, however, with the air of persons silenced but not convinced. When some hours had elapsed, and our travelers had remained unmolested, they congratulated them- selves they would at least be able to spend the THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 195 latter part of the evening alone. Their supper had been brought to their room. Between nine and ten, however, they heard a great tuning-np of instru- ments outside, and looking out saw a full band of music about to commence a serenade. The street was black with people for blocks, and enthusiasm seemed to reign supreme. The braying of trumpets, with the softer notes of the cornets, soon floated on the night air as a popular air was played. Juan and his father were in doubt as to whether this demonstration was meant for them, but as they drew aside tlie curtain still further, the strong blaze of a calcium light was thrown full upon their win- dows, and wild cheers went up from the crowd. Shrill cries for "the Emperor," "a speech, a speech," and the like, soon convinced the startled Alvarez that he was the man intended. He with- drew hastily, put out his gas, and shut his blinds tightly. He Avas not insensible to the honor in- tended for him, but he was so overwhelmed and astonished by it— it was so unexiDected, and, as he felt, undeserved, that he knew not what to do. He was not a man to take advantage of any mistake or to appropriate to himself anything intended for another. But the stupendous error had gotten 196 THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. abroad that he had gentle blood in his veins, and it seemed ntteiiy impossible for him to contradict it or stop its disastrous effects. It was past midnight when he and Juan, after a long and doleful consultation as to what they had best do to raise the state of siege from which they were then suffering, being unable to come to any conclusion, save flight or surrender, were about to go to bed, and were in fact partially undressed. They were not destined however to be left undis- turbed. The courteous proprietor of the "Crier" drove up hastily to the private entrance of the hotel in his coach, ran straight up to the Brazilian's apartments, was admitted, and refusing to take "no" for an answer, actually captured the two travelers, and conveyed them down town in the early hours of the morning to his immense estab- lishment to show them the final making up and working off of the great Metropolitan Newspaper. It was here that they saw some of those interior workings, which, by anticipating a little, were detailed in a former chapter. The proprietor told them decidedly that the object of his joaper was news, and a desire to please as many people as possible. Their editorial sheet was conducted on THE IRREPRESSIBLE INTERVIEWER. 197 the principle, to "be all things to all men," and if it didn't hit an individual's fancy one day, to do it the next. In this way they had been extremely fortunate in their prophecies, for scarcely had an event taken place for years, but what the editor could tiirn back and point out with pride and pleasure, just where it had been foreshadowed in his i)aper months before. CHAPTER XIV. CUPID AIMS A SHAFT, PON reaching the hotel once more, the mind of Alvarez was made up. He was convinced he never could stand many more days like this, and feeling that his involuntary title of Emperor would be the death of him if he bore it much longer, he re- solved on flight the very next evening. He was not yet prepared to leave the city, but he reckoned that if he changed his name and secretly moved to another hotel, he might escape detection, at least, for a while. All this he hapiDily accomplished at the appointed time and breathed freer once more. Juan had paid a visit to the office of Milman, [198] CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 199 down town, in order to get a check cashed, and had there found a delicate little note from Bella, addressed to him. She was invited to a party at a friend's house, in Fifth avenue, New York, on the next evening, and she made bold to request him to act as her escort. His heart fluttered as his eyes ran over the pretty hand-wTiting, and his nostrils took in the delicate odor of the little epistle. He immediately sat down and wrote a lev/ lines accept- ing with i^leasure the kind invitation. This he in- trusted to the care of Mr. Milman, not without sun- dry blushings, and indirect hints as to the necessity of i^rompt delivery. This eventful evening arrived, and Juan, who had spent the whole day in getting ready, having pur- chased an entire new outfit of the very best make and material he could find, proceeded over to Mr. Milman\s house in Brooklyn, from whence Bella was to be ready to set out in a carriage of her own providing. Bella had plenty of escorts, who would have been ready and anxious to accompany her, but they would not have suited her pur^DOse. The news- paper accounts of the Emperor in disguise had been read by herself and mother, as well as by every- CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. body else, and had made a more than ordinary- impression. If Alvarez was not the Emperor, he was anyhoAV a nobleman, and if he was even not a nobleman, he was at least a very rich man, while Juan, his son, was handsome and distinguished-look- ing. The young man would do to lead in triumph before her female friends, and cause them to bite their lix)s in envy. In the mean time, she wished to keep hold of the prize, until she learned positively its value, when she might either clinch the matter or repudiate it, as circumstances seemed to require. Bella was a good business young lady, and always had a sharp lookout for j)ossible contingencies. On the stroke of eight, our young man i^resented himself at the door of the Brooklyn residence, and was quickly ushered in the parlor and left alone. Standing before the great pier glass, he threw back his outer coat, and nervously look a glance at him- self. His dark hair, brushed back from his temples, showed his handsome face to advantage, lighted up as it was, by a pair of quick, frank eyes. As he stood there, in his faultlessly-fitting suit of black, in the pride of youth and health, he was a noble- looking fellow, of whom any mother would have been j)roud. In his case, that mother had been at CUIPD AIMS A SHAFT. rest three years or more, but had stamped her cheerfulness and good sense strongly upon her son. A rich gold chain, a present from her, hung around his neck, while an opal, set in diamonds, another maternal memento, blazed from a finger of his left hand. A step on the stair caused him to move aside, just as Bella, like a vision of glory, burst upon his eager eyes, and glided in at the open door. "Ah ! you are here, Senor ; punctual, I see," cried the gay young lady. "Always punctual where the ladies are con- cerned," replied Juan, gallantly. As they clasped hands, the young man seemed at pnce under some mesmeric spell, and as com- pletely in the fair Bella's power as if handcuffed and led by a chain. The young lady had the most consummate skill in "getting herself up," to use a sort of technical expression, and none knew better than she the weak points in her appearance, or the strong ones, nor how to bring out the one and repress the other. Her mother hovered around her anxiously, after a cordial greeting to the young man, and stating to him that Mr. Milman was away on business for the CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. night, A little adjustment here, and a little touch there, put tlie finishing stroke to the elaborate toilet of the youthful beauty. " These girls are very troublesome, Mr. Alvarez ; I hope you will excuse my solicitude," said the anxious mother. " Most certainly," replied the young man. " A delicate and beautiful plant requires care." Bella rewarded him with a pretty, grateful glance. The carriage was soon heard at the door, and Bella carefully enveloped in her wraps. "Take good care of my daughter now," said Mrs. Milman, as they passed out the front door. "I shall defend her with my life," answered Juan firmly. The carriage was soon clattering off down the street toward the ferry. "The night is chill," said Bella giving a little shudder. " Allow me to throw this shawl over your shoul- ders," said the young man, with tender solicitude in his voice. The liberty was allowed, and the two sank back in their respective corners and were silent for awhile. It was doubtless not without a purpose, CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 203 that tlie clever young lady had conceived the idea of getting the young man to accompany her in a close coach, for this long ride from Brooklyn to the upper i)art of the other city ; but the i^lans of young ladies are often involved in as much mystery, as those of some able general during a campaign. " I see your father's name and your own figuring extensively in the papers," said the young lady, quietly. "Most unfortunately," answered Juan, "You love mystery, it seems. Are you still determined to preserve your incognito?" The young man here entered upon a most earnest series of protestations that his father had no incog- nito to preserve, and they both were no other than they professed to be. The young lady pretended to be incredulous, and bantered him considerably for endeavoring to deceive her as well as the i)ublic. In a most tantalizingly short space of time, as it appeared to Juan, the carriage had arrived at their destination, mounted Murray Hill, and drew up before the door of a great house in the upper part of Fifth avenue. The noble mansion was a blaze of light, and as they ascended the broad stone steps the young Brazilian could not help being impressed 204 CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. with the evidence of solidity and wealth. A colored waiter opened the door, and they moved up the main stairway, amid the fragrance of flowers, to the strain of soft music. At the head of the stairs they separated, each going to the proper dressing-room. In the gentleman's dressing-room, Juan was sti'uck by a young man, who sitting in one rich chair, with his feet up in another, and a cigar in his mouth, was talking in a loud, consequential tone to another gentleman across the room. This other, a tall and very red-faced individual, although but a young man, was so large and puffed up that he seemed about to burst. His eyes stuck out, and his short, thick neck gave unmistakable evidence of the animal predominating over the spiritual element. Juan was soon ready, and quickly stationed himself at the door of the ladies' dressing-room. But it was not a part of the plans of the fair Bella to be in anything of a hurry, or to enter the parlor while there was comparatively but a few there. At length, however, the young man's suspense was ended by the appearance of his lady, and they descended the stairs together. At the foot, the young lady took his arm, and entered the parlor as a queen might do accompanied by a favored noble. CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 205 Slie sought out the hostess, found her, and after the first greetings, introduced her escort. "Mrs. Delmar, Seiior Alvarez." As this was pronounced slowly and with considerable emphasis, all eyes were at once upon the couple. The hostess threw an inquiring glance to Bella, as if to ask, "is this the Alvarez," and was answered with a slight nod. After a short conversation Mrs. Delmar was called away, and as the band was playing the pre- lude to the Lanciers, Bella promptly took her place at the head of the room with her partner. The thick-necked gentleman passed by. "Hello, Belle !" cried he in admiration. "Why, you're stunnin' to-night." She answered with a slight shrug of her pretty shoulders. "Who is that gentleman ?" inquired Juan. " A young man who has more dollars than sense. I have known him but a short time." " Seems rather familiar on short acquaintance." "His way; his wealth gives him assurance." "But how did he gain so much if he don't know anything." "Blundered into it, like a good many others. His father invented a new Idnd of soap, which pros- 2o6 CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. pered immensely. The old man husbanded his savings carefully, made several very fortunate real estate investments, and died, leaving his worthy son a millionaire. He is a bachelor, looking for a wife." Bella did not state, that herself and mother had devoted a whole campaign at Saratoga to this same gentleman. " Strange !" exclaimed Juan, following the gen- tleman with his eyes. He seemed quite a lion, and was received everywhere with marked atten- tion. He was shortly after seated on a sofa sur- rounded by young ladies, from the midst of whom his loud rough laughter every once in a while burst out like a clap of thunder, as he uttered some broad, silly joke. " Money is everything, you know, now-a-days," said Bella, talking between the figures of the dance. " It doesn't make much difference how one gets it. The present owner of this house was poor a few years ago, and there used to be a rumor in circula- tion, that the former owner, for some cause, having temporarily made it over to Mr. Delmar, with the intention of transferring it to another, the latter gentleman held on to it. The old owner died poor, CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 207 and Mr. Delmar is now the prince before wliom many bow. But people will talk, you know." " Yes ; but I should think the mere suspicion of such a thing would be ruinous to our host' s reputa- tion, and none would associate with him." " Nonsense ! Not at all. We don't cut rich peo- ple on suspicion. Even proven facts are not always sufficient, for there are ever extenuating circum- stances, you know. You see how his reception is attended to-night. There goes Mr. and Mrs. Prince now. He was a chief officer in the great Carlton Savings Bank, which took deposits as long as they could get a dollar, i^aid dividends, SAvore period- ically to funds which never existed or were worth- less, and finally suspended, causing dismay and ruin among thousands of poor people who had trusted the institution." "For shame!" exclaimed Juan. "And he shows his face ? ' ' "Look and see the smiles with which he is everywhere greeted. He lives in style, and has' plenty of money, made, Heaven only knows how. They did jDropose to run him for Mayor." Juan was surprised to find Bella so keen and masculine in her remarks, and not displeased at her 2o8 CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. just severity. The dance finished, they tooli a stroll around through the sj^lendid rooms, Bella answer- ing numerous greetings with pleasant little smiles, and enjoying to the utmost the admiring glances cast at her companion. " By George ! " they overheard one young man whisper ; " this mysterious Brazilian is a handsome fellow, anyhow." " Ah, yes ! but only a boy," replied his compan- ion, indifferently, who was himself, perliai3s, a year older, " Lots of rocks, I believe." " Do you see that young lady over there, smiling and ogling at me ? " asked Bella, sinking her voice confidentially. " The one in pink \ Yes." "Well, her father kept a corner grocery for years, making his money mostly out of poisonous liquors dealt out to the poor. But he got along and saved, and moved in a fine house, and turned his back on the grocery. Julia would consider it a deadly insult to allude to it in any way. They are extremely high-toned now, as if they had been bankers for a half century." " It would seem so from her appearance." " She is dying to be introduced to you, but I am CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 209 just going to disappoint her for once, and make her angry." "I am sure I am happier with you," said Jnan, in a low tone. Bella gave him a little chiding glance. As the first strains of the "Beautiful Blue Danube" floated on the air, our young coujple glided off in the waltz, and conversation was for a time sus- pended. As they stoj^ped, a middle-aged gentle- man XDassed them, with grizzled hair and cheerful cast of countenance. " The president of the late Safety Life Insurance Company, which went into a receiver's hands, as I believe they call it, a month or so ago. Some say he could be sent to State Prison if the law was proi:)erly enforced ; but I think he has too much money, and stands too high. He seems cheerful, does he not?" " He does, indeed. One would scarcely think he ever did wrong. Perhaps he himself does not be- lieve he has, and could most eloquently explain everything." Juan began to gaze around on the company in some fear, not knowing but he might soon be jostled against a burglar or a cutthroat. At the same time CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. he could not help contemplating his young lady in loving admiration, at being able to hold all these people at theii- true worth. In the supioer-room below, our young couple contrived to get safely ensconced in a quiet corner. Bella always had a pretty knack of getting any young man she wished aside in some way, and hav- ing him all to herself. A gentleman cousin, Jack Ruppert, to whom Bella had introduced our youth- ful hero, gallantly waited on the couple, so that they lacked nothing, and the young lady was free to continue her confidential conversation, and in- dulge her criticisms of passing guests. After the supper, where champagne had flowed most freely, Juan strolled up to the gentleman's room. It was filled with a dense smoke from a score of cigars, through which the figures of the occupants loomed up vaguely. The loud, consequential gentleman he had seen early in the evening, had a bottle of whisky un- corked, and was uproariously passing it around and urging the others to partake. "Champagne may be good enough," cried he, "as far it goes, but only Bourbon hits the right spot with me. Ha ! Schuyler, you there — well ! we're in CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. for it — we're goin' to bust the old rascal's will, sure enough." These words were somewhat mysterious to Juan, who still stood in the doorway looking in. Through the smoke he finally made out another acquaint- ance — Bella' s thick-necked friend, stretched on the bed, his head toward the foot-board, and his boots upon the fine pillows, in a state of sleepy stupor. A sickening feeling took possession of our young Brazilian, as he looked upon the manly assemblage, and contemplated the damage that would be do^ie to the beautifully-furnished apartment, the fine car- pet, lace curtains and the like. He turned and saw Bella' s cousin at his elbow. " Rather smoky," said the cousin. ' ' Rather. Is this the style f ' "Oh, yes. The gentlemen always want a smoke after supper." "Who is the individual so conspicuous with the bottle ?" asked Juan. " Oh ! a nej)hew of the great Boulder, who died some time since in the West, and left an immense fortune. There is a big contest over the Will now." " Why ?" "You see the old man had control of a great CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. gold mine out there, and being ambitious to estab- lish a family name, with a colossal fortune, as well as to concentrate and protect his great interests, he left about nine-tenths of his fortune to a favorite son and that son's children, and distributed the rest in more moderate amounts among his other heirs, who received only about a million apiece." "A fortune of itself, which they don't choose to accept, I suppose?" " One child has attacked the Will furiously, and as the only possible chance to break it lies in the alleged irresjionsibility of the maker, the father has been dragged from the grave, and all his infirmities, moral or physical, exposed to public view. His phy- sician has been put upon the witness stand to prove his internal disarrangements, and has brought so many serious disorders to light, which are claimed to have been fastened on the old gentleman for years, that most people wonder how he ever could have risen from a poor boy to be the owner of an im- mense estate, attained the age of eighty, and con- trolled the affairs of his corporation almost to the day of his death. A man of a most remarkably clear head and indomitable resolution, the public opinion is that if this Will is broken, then the whole system CUPID AIMS A SHAFT. 213 of wills might as well be abolished. His disap- pointed heirs, however, some say, would gladly make the old man out to have been a murderer, if it would only prove his incapacity to make a will." "Oh, horror!" The conversation ended, Juan again sought Bella in the i^arlor, and after an hour or so more, set out in their carriage for Brooklyn. Mrs. Milman had insisted that Juan should remain all night at their house. CHAPTEE Xy. THE GOOD SAMARITAN TAKEN IN. LVAREZ of course knew of the proposed absence of his son for the evening and night, and where he intended to sjiend the time. He had consented to the separa- tion reluctantly, but without making any objection. The son never concealed his movements from the father, any more than the father thought of thwarting the wishes of his son. A more loving and amiable couj^le could not have been found. Left to his own resources to spend the evening, our elderly traveler, who had been a sort of self- imposed prisoner for the few days previous, con- cluded he would quietly attend some theatre. He [214] THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 215 consulted the hotel clerk about it, stating he was a stranger. " Well, it's too bad that the 'Black Crook' and 'Humpty Dumpty' are both taken off," said he. " They each run nearly three years, and it seems as if the whole United States went to see them. They were splendid. We had some tragedians try it here for awhile, but no go, they were too heavy." "Heavy!" "Yes, too high-toned, you know; all Shakes- peare and the like." "Well, if Shakespeare wasn't good enough where would you get better ?' ' " Oar people like to be amused, or they like to be excited, and they want something or other new all the while. There's the City Theatre now, where they are playing the ' Satin Masks.' Better try that." As Alvarez stood by the office making a note of this, he happened to raise his eyes, and started forward with an exclamation of alarm. Three feet from him, with those crab-like organs of vision protruded to their utmost extent, stood the dreaded interviewer of the "Lightning Flash." Had Al- varez been a criminal, fleeing from justice, and the reporter an officer in the very act of a recapture, 2t6 THE GOOD SAMARITAN there could not have spread over the features of the one a more intense expression of desi)air, or over the other a more satanic air of triumph. "Ha! Sefior, well met!" cried the tormentor, holding out his hand. "Naj^, sir, you are my enemy," responded our indignant and terrified Brazilian. "Not so, Sehor ; I am your friend. Were you going out \ Let us walk together." " First, sir, a promise. No interviews to- night." "Agreed." " And sir, no jDublicity " "Hold, Sehor! Not too many things at once. The people, you know, have a claim upon us." Silenced but not convinced, Alvarez reluctantly proceeded out in the street, accompanied by his quondam acquaintance, and together they turned ujD Broadway. The reporter seemed bent upon making himself agreeable. After conversation on a great variety of topics, upon which he displayed a most intimate knowledge, he took a side glance at literature. "One might supjDOse now that our publishers would wish to foster native talent, but the princi- TAKEN IN. 217 pal thing they desire to foster is dollars and cents. In the absence of an International coxDyright, an English author s brains can be made use of without expense to the book-seller, but to the injury of both the English and American author," "How so?" "No publisher will pay an American a fair I)rice for a story or a poem, when he can get some- thing equally as good from across the water, free of charge. I have suffered by this myself. In my youth I thirsted for fame. I wrote a book. Six- teen publishers perused the manuscript, and respectfully returned it. One only was kind enough to make me an offer, agreeing if I would advance the necessary funds for the publication and advertisement, to give me ten per cent, of the net profits." The author was sad and silent for awhile as he related this reminiscence. "The drama, sir, is in a condition conssiderably below our literature," continued he, after a while, "and our jjlay-writers fare even worse than the poets," " Indeed ! " exclaimed our Brazilian, " Yes, sir. Managers and publishers are, of 10 . THE GOOD SAMARITAN course, always on the make, and desire to get ma- terial from sources the least exx)ensive, while the public seem actually to prefer a foreign to a domes- tic article, no matter what it is or how the merits compare. An American artist of any kind, finds little favor until he has achieved some distinction abroad. Our dramatists can scarcely get recogni- tion at all and meet little encouragement any- where." "Perhaps they are not of as good material as the foreign." "They have little opportunity to show what they are, since no manager will undertake to pro- duce their work unless they put up a large share of the necessary funds. If, once in a great while, an original American ]3lay is brought out at a man- ager's risk, the autlior merely receives a small nominal amount, hardly worth mentioning, and in no way remunerating him for his time or brains. Any author offering his work to a manager usually gets snubbed and baffled, and put off, until in slieer desperation he throws his manuscript in the fire. IVe had some experience, and yet, all the time the papers are crying out that we have no American plays." TAKEN IN. 219 "And the foreign plays you speak of ?" ' ' A drama is no sooner j^roduced in London or Paris, and gives the least sign of success, than it is brought out here, and the success, real or fancied, advertised all over. French plays, wherein char- acters of doubtful virtue parade their misfortunes, • and appeal to the sympathies of the audience, find great favor. We had the leg drama all the rage for several years, but the furor is now more or less worn off. Domestic tribulation with a considerable sprinkle of wickedness seems now to take best." They had turned round into Union square as they spoke, and stopped for a moment to look at the moon, which was just rising. "If you wish to see an illustration of clever French work on the American stage, step in there," continued the reporter, pointing to the blazing entrance of a theatre not far distant, "They only produce French adaptations there with the regular company. I must leave you now, but will see you again to-morrow. Good-evening." " Well, thank you, my friend," replied Alvarez. "PU take your advice. Good-evening." They parted, the eager and nervous interviewer proceeding across the square, while our traveler THE GOOD SAMARITAN went over for his ticket to the box ofiioe. The thea- tre proved to be the same the hotel clerk had indi- cated. He was soon comfortably seated reading the play bill, which he found to be a most unique specimen of spicy literature. One remarkable thing seemed to be, that every play mentioned, on every stage, wcs one of unusual merit as well as being a great success. He thought the metroi3olis was most fortunate, at this time, to have a collection of such extraordinary good work. After the theatre had become tolerably well- tilled, and the orchestra had i3layed the overture, the curtain rose ux)on the first act of "The Satin Masks." A provincial young wife, having a most exalted idea of her husband's stern virtue and strict attention to business, is on a visit to a married female friend in the metropolis. Tlie latter, having very little faith in her own husband's ability to resist temptation, or, in fact, of any other man, let alone the supi^osed perfect individual, proposes to the provincial lady to give the virtue of her consort a trial. This is acceded to. Notes, stamped with a coronet, are written to the husbands, making sur- reptitious engagements to take two ladies en masque to a notorious though somewhat private garden in TAKEN IN. the city, and, after the reception of the notes, the curtain falls on the first act. The cleverness of the jjlay was shown in the interest it had excited among the audience, to know the result of the complications which they foresaw must now arise. But Alvarez had an nneasy feel- ing that the pictures it had disclosed, and the char- acters it had opened up, were anything but healthy, and that there w^as a sort of nnhallowed trifling with certain things which should have been sa- cred. Not only was the young husband aimed at in this exhibition, but youth and old age were likewise included in the category, in the persons of a hoary- headed married man and his youthful nephew, both of whom were shown to be as susceptible as the others. The intent, apparently, was to prove that the genus man, old and young, married or single, were all pretty much alike in certain directions. Alvarez looked around at the audience, and saw himself surrounded, on all sides, by well-dressed ladies and gentlemen, many of whom were but in the first blush of youth. But what was his sur- prise to see, only a few rows ahead of him, Mr. Milman, seated alongside a rather showily -dressed THE GOOD SAMARITAN young woman, to whom he appeared exceedingly attentive. As it was neither his wife nor daughter, our Brazilian judged it to be some female relative, perhaps from the country. Again the curtain arose, and the second act be- gan. It was the interior of Langhorne Gfarden, with a most repulsive exhibition of a coarse head-Avaiter, who sticks his lingers in an oyster stew, and fishes out and swallows an oyster before joassing it out to the party ordering it, with other shabby tricks un- necessary to relate. By and by the parties arrive, first the old man accompanied with a most rollick- ing damsel, then the nephew with a lady en mas- que, then the husbands sejoarately, each with the other' s wife disguised. The parties were shown into separate private apartments oi^ening out into the main room, as they arrived. The action continued, the old man becomes intoxicated, and makes a most shameful exhibition of himself, things get mixed generally, and the whole act was so replete with immoral suggestion that an atmosjjhere of impurity seemed to prevade the whole place. It brought a blush to the face of our traveler, and he looked around nervously as if contemplating an escape. Mr. Milman and his lady seemed to be TAKEN IN. 223 enjoying it immensely and frequently exchanged intelligent smiles. The third act brought the complications to a climax, when explanations were in order, upon the following morning. A most demure maid, having assisted in the plot of her mistress by writing the notes, thought she might as well take a hand in herself. Having inveigled the nejAew to the gar- den, and being disguised the same as the two ladies, slie had managed to mix up matters most mysteri- ously. The terror of the old man at the thought of being found out by his wife, the arrival of the old lady at an unexx:)ected time, the entrance of the in- nocent husband with a valise as if just from Roch- ester, with other points, were most ingeniously evolved, and brought forward with telling effect. It was a clever French play, with all the brilliant wickedness, and theatrical finish of Paris, trans- formed into the sturdy Anglo-Saxon tongue. It tended to break up all confidence, and ridicule all ideal. It was scoffing, unsound, and, if viewed closely, degrading, having no element ennobling or insi^iring in any way. As Alvarez had been informed that this theatre exhibited nothing but adaptations of French plays, 224 THE GOOD SAMARITAN and judging the one jnst witnessed to be a fair sam- ple, lie was naturally led into a reflection as to whether the theatre generally was an educator and leader of the public taste, or merely gave the people the sort of food they desired. After being informed that a j)lay of this kind usually ran all winter, and had been found very profitable for a great number of seasons, he judged there must be something wrong in the people themselves to make the success of this sort of reiDresentations not only j)ossible, but certain. He revolved this in his mind as he emerged into the street and turned toward University place. As he i^assed by a bright-looking, tastefully-decorated restaurant, the entrance of which was down a few steps from the sidewalk, he was attracted by the inviting display, and stepped in for an ice. While stationed at a table there, a little to one side, Mr. Milman, accompanied by the same lady by whom he had been seated at the theatre, passed quickly through to one of the retired little rooms attached to the saloon. A waiter having hastened to receive orders, shortly after returned with a bottle of cliam- I)agne on ice, and in a second trip brought glasses, some delicate cakes, and ice cream. Alvarez judged TAKEN IN. 225 the female relative from the country was going to be entertained in good style. It hardly entered his mind to snpx)ose that he was again witnessing the enactment of a play similar in some respects to that which he had just left. He would, perhax)s, have been still more puzzled had he heard Mrs. Milman' s statement to his son that her husband was forced to be away that night on business. Mr. Mil man had not seen Alvarez either at the theatre or the sal oon, and the latter had thought best not to endeavor to attract the attention of his banker. Our Brazilian was soon out in the moonlit street, walking quietly toward his hotel, ruminating upon what he had seen, and wondering also if Juan v/as having a good time. As he passed a certain corner he observed a man, apparently intoxicated, stumble and fall. A burly policeman was upon him in a moment, and grasi)ing him roughly by the collar, had dragged him to his feet. The semi-conscious individual, growing pug- nacious, remonstrated against the treatment, and struck out wildly ; but the brave x)oliceman show- ered two or three heavy blows over the prisoner's head with his locust, and then rai3i3ed for assistance, A brother officer was quickly on the scene, and each 10* 2 26 THE GOOD SAAIARITAN taking hold of an arm of the unresisting victim, were proceeding rapidly to convert him into an un- recognizable jelly. Alvarez, indignant, and full of pity for the wretch, rushed up. "Why, officers!" cried he, "for shame! Don't kill the man!" " Curse ye ! what have you got to do with it ?" answered one, fiercely. " Only the instincts of a common humanity — " "Lay him out, Tom!" shouted the other of- licer. "He's interferin' with the law. Take him in." Alvarez suddenly found a heavy hand laid on his throat, which, being unexpected and accom- panied with a half shove, sent him to the sidewalk, cutting a gash over his eye and temporarily stun- ning him. When he came to himself he was being dragged along to a station-house, behind the other unfortunate wretch whom he had endeavored to protect. His face was covered with blood, and his clothes were torn, while his senses were still some- what scattered. Confronted, at the station-house, by the captain of the x)recinct, he was too much hurt to give any intelligent answer to questions put to him. TAKEN IN, 227 "A desperate fellow, sir," said the officer having him in charge. "What's he been up to ?" "He was tryin' to interfere with the law, sir, and help off the rascal we have along wid us." "Ah! incitin' to riot, eh!" replied the captain, writing in his book. "Well, hand over his watch and pocket-book, and let's have his shooting-iron, if he's got one, and lock him up for the night. Kernan, you've done your duty well, and, Maloney, you're not behind him this time." CHAPTER XVI. alas! pooe yorick. LYAREZ, after some little time, came fully to himself, and, stand- ing iij), stretched his limbs, and was happy to find himself tolera- bly whole. Hs could not at first feel certain where he was, or how he came there, but gradually regaining his lost powers, the extent of his misfortunes, and the events which had led thereto, all came back to him. He was, however, a philosopher, and always in- clined to take things as they came, without very much lamenting his fate. He looked around ; there was a dim light thrown in the cell, by the aid of which he indistinctly made out a human form j)ros- trate on the floor near him. He scanned this [228] ALAS! POOR YORICK. 229 intently, but could not see enough to give liim any intelligent ideas as to its personality. After gazing some time, oar traveler observed the figure move slightly, and at the same time, heard a moan as if of i)ain. All his symjiathies were enlisted in a moment. He kneeled down be- side the prostrate brother, and feeling in his iDocket for a match, struck it and held it before the face of the unfortunate one. The man opened his eyes wearily, and Alvarez at once recognized the poor fellow who was indirectly the cause of his own imprisonment. The station-house had been pretty full when the prisoners arrived, and they had been thrust in a cell and locked ui3 together. " Poor fellow !" said Alvarez pityingly, "he is nearly killed ! Cheer up, man," continued he, louder, taking the wretch's hand as his match went out, "■ it may yet be all well with you." "You're kind, mister," groaned the other, "but it's all U13 with me this time, sure." "Nay, say not so. Can I do anything for you?" " Ah, sir ! a little water — may be — " Alvarez groped around, peering in all directions, and at last discovered a stone pitcher with some ALAS! POOR YORICK. water. He hastened to hold it to the poor fellow's lips, who, after raising his head a little and drink- ing, again sank back on the floor. Alvarez took off his own coat and propped up his companion's head, and soaking his handkerchief in the water, bound it around those bloody temples. The battered wretch seemed a little revived, and opened his eyes wider. "Tliank'ee, mister, thank' ee, kindly," said he, in a low tone. "You have been unfortunate to-night," said Alvarez. "Everything is agin me, mister, and it's all come to once. I worn't alius a drinkin' man." "Ah! Well, I am glad of that. But let us hope you will not be hereafter, for your own sake at least," said Alvarez. "I was a mechanic, mister," continued the other, speaking with some difficulty, "and I had as likely a wife as need be, and a brace of brave lads. I worked hard myself, and the good woman saved, and we had scraped up nigh onto three hun- dred dollars, mister, and had it in the Carlton Sav- ings Bank." "That was i)raiseworthy, indeed. Every man ALAS! POOR YORICK. 231 should deny liimsQlf and save something in times of prosperity." "Ay, mister, so we said. We wor goin' West shortly, thinkin', you know, it would be better for the boys. I had papers out on my life, too, mister, in case anything shud haj^pen to me sudden-like, while the lads wor small, the old woman wud have somethin' to fall back on ; some little extra cash, you know, mister." "I understand — you had a small policy on your life, my friend ; very thoughtful on your part." "We'd made a good many inquiries about the Bank, off and on, and every one said it wor first- class. It was in a big handsome buildin', and a very big-talkin' man for President. They had on their cards a good many big men, too. Beside that, my boss said, their showing was very good, and " "I see. Their sworn yearly statement showed a satisfactory surplus and investment of dex)osits." "I suppose so, mister. You put it better than me. But one day we heard there was somethin' wrong, and one or two of our friends who had cash there, said they wor goin' to take it out, so I thought I wud up and take mine out too. When I 232 ALAS! POOR YORICK. came though, there wor llfty or more ahead of me and afore my turn, it wor too late that day. Next mornin' I went at four o'clock, and was first one ; at sunrise there wor more than two hundred behind me, and afore ten o'clock the people stretched down live blocks. But they never opened at all that day. A notice was put up, sayin' it was all right, but we must go home and wait. That's a year ago, and we never yet got one dollar." "Tlio scoundrels!" exclaimed Alvarez. "Cer- tainly, according to my understanding of Savings Banks, they have no business to fail, and only by a plain violation of the law, can they do so. Men and women lolace their funds with them in trust, believing them subject to no risk whatever, as an ordinary business is." It was just as Alvarez was saying these words that Bella was pointing out to Juan the worthy officer of the institution in ques- tion, passing smilingly in review before them. "A few days after this," continued the xjrisoner, " the insurance folks went up, too, and people said it was a great fraud. They'd showed lots of cash and lots of papers got out on lives, but they never had any cash, and the life papers wor never ordered and never took. But I wor quite discouraged like. ALAS! POOR YORICK. 233 and didn't care. It seemed, mister, as if everytliin' wor agin tlie i^oor man, and it wor foolish to stint and save, you know." " Precisely, my friend. Your wrongs had made you desperate, and you believed further effort at economy useless." " I spent as fast as I made then, and when our Brotherhood ordered a strike, I had to stop work, mister, and I had nothin' and I just let every thin' go to the dogs. The wife did what she could. I took to drink, and here I am." The i^oor fellow at tliis i)oint turned painfully on his side, and groaned aloud. The strong frame, the stout heart, the hopeful, cheerful nature, was a complete and utter wreck, as he lay there, a broken and bloody mass of wretched humanity. Vile as drunkenness is, as inexcusable in most cases, Al- varez mused silently over the fallen one before him, and wondered which, in the eyes of the Almighty, would be held most guilty — the com- fortable bank jiresident or the miserable victim before him ? The mechanic lay silent for so long a time that Alvarez judged that he had fallen asleep and did not disturb him. He was himself much exhausted, 234 ALAS! POOR YORICK. and taking a seat on the tloor he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. How long our traveler had slept he knew not, but the light of the sun was streaming in the cell when he fully awoke. His first thought was for his companion, whom he saw lying perfectly quiet, partly on his face. Going to him softly Alvarez was startled to observe the rigid look of his fea- tures, and taking his hand shuddered to find it ice cold. The poor forlorn wreck, once a good bark laden with hope, and sailing on the ocean of life, had gone to pieces at last and was no more. Alva- rez uttered a silent prayer, and covered up the poor face with his handkerchief, and straightened those once stalwart limbs as well as he could. At last the officer in charge came, with some breakfast for the prisoners, and uttered an exclama- tion of impatience and disgust at finding one of them dead. The live one was quickly taken out, and after awhile handcuJEfed to a stalwart negro, and shoved into the Black Maria, which was already full to stilling. He was soon with his undesirable com- panions rattling down town toward the Tombs. Police Justice Michael C. Rooney came into court about ten o'clock, as the handcuffed prison- ALAS! POOR YORICK. 235 ers, penned np in a corner like sheep, were awaiting his pleasure. The Justice was a well-known runner of the machine in his ward, and popular with the "bo3^s." He always made it as easy for them as he could, and never neglected any of their friends if proxoerly notified about the matter. Sticking by one's friends, and friends' friends, was a maxim the Justice had always strictly adhered to and believed in, a x>^'inciple of which, at that time, the Chief Magistrate of the nation was likewise an ardent ad- vocate. Quickly disposing of the crowd of vagabonds and law-breakers with whom the unfortunate Bra- zilian had been accompanied, the mighty judge at length reached the case in which we are interested. " Here, you, sir," cried his Honor, beckoning to Alvarez, "stand up here." Alvarez had had no opportunity to attend to his toilet. His face was unwashed, his hair unkempt, while his clothes were torn and dirty. Besides this, the coat which he had generously removed to make a pillow for his dying comrade, he had not recov- ered, and he had therefore been obliged to appear ingloriously in his shirt sleeves. "What's his name 'P asked the judge of Officer 236 ALAS! POOR YORICK. Maloney, who was standing there bareheaded, with Officer Kernan a short distance off. "He wonldn't give any name, yer Honor, at the station," answered the officer. "He went for us, Kernan and me, in the street, and tried to get a man off we had just nabbed." "'Tis false," cried Alvarez, indignantly, U T 5 5 "Silence! you villain," roared the justice, "Will you attempt to browbeat this court? I'll attend to your case, you dirty rascal ! Here, officer, take him around and lock him up, and bring him here again to-morrow at twelve o'clock. Maybe he'll be tamed a little by that time." So our traveler was taken by the arm, and roughly shoved down the stairs, out of the court- room, and around into the jDrison yard, and so iip into a cell on the second tier. Left there to his re- flections, he was miserable. He felt sick at heart at the unjust and unexpected treatment he was receiv- ing ; he felt physically unwell from loss of sleep and insufficient food, from foul air and contact with vile companions. The thought, too, that Juan must be anxiously awaiting his coming, and in an agony of suspense at his prolonged absence, made him ALAS! POOR YORICK. 237 unhappy. He hesitated about sending word to his son, thinking it miglit be possible to get released during the day. He thought, therefore, of Blod- son, and concluded, as he would probably need a lawyer's services to extricate himself, he would send for his acquaintance. Calling the jailer, he requested from him a pencil and bit of paper, and the services of a messenger. The jailer said the prisoner could have anything he wanted, if he was ready to pay for it. Thereupon the required articles were produced, as well as a basin of water with a brush and comb, and a messenger was said to be ready outside. Alvarez wrote a few words to Blodson, requesting his immediate attendance. Shortly after twelve o'clock, Blodson sent up word from the counsel room, that he was ready for an interview, and Alvarez was conducted thither. "Why, Sehor !" cried Blodson, shaking hands, " this is unfortunate," " Yes, sir. The law sometimes works injustice." "And our gallant police sometimes makes mis- takes, eh!" "Precisely." " But it is a grave thing. Sen or, to interfere with the ofhcers of the law, which I see by the entry you 238 ALAS! POOR YORICK. are charged with. How did it happen?" There- upon Alvarez related the full circumstances, the fearful beating the poor intoxicated man was receiving, from the effects of which he had after- wards died, his own remonstrance by word of mouth, his consequent arrest and confinement, with the preliminary hearing already had. The lawyer stated he would be on hand next day at noon, and so left, not before stating, however, that his retaining fee would be one hundred dollars. For this amount, Alvarez gave him an order on Milman, and was then conducted back to his cell. He was still in doubt as to whether he ought yet to notify his son of his condition, but at length, concluding it would be cruelty to keex) the young man longer in suspense, he decided to send a note. The former messenger was again employed, and as this had been the fifteenth time that day he had been out on various errands, and as each time he had taken some spiritual refreshment by the way, he could hardly be called in as good a condition for this fifteenth trip as for the first. However, he sallied out, but meeting a friend and determining to be convivial to the last, the fifteenth effort at imbibing i^roved too much for his endurance. He ALAS! POOR YORICK. 239 sank to slumber by a board fence, in a vacant lot, with Alvarez's note snugly tucked inside his hat. Another morning arrived, and at length, the clocks struck twelve, upon which Alvarez was waited on by an officer, and conducted into the court-room, where he found Blodson in waiting. "Well, sir," cried Justice Rooney, as our Bra- zilian stood before him, looking somewhat more respectable than he had the day before, for he had procured a coat from the jailer. " Well, sir, are you ready to give your name and business yet % ' ' "Certainly, your honor." "Out with it, then." " I am Pedro Alvarez, gentleman and traveler, from Brazil." The justice gave a low whistle, and scrutinized him a little more closely. " Well, what have you got to say for yourself ?" "May it please your honor, 1 am here to answer for the prisoner," said Blodson, rising. Justice Rooney regarded him with a prolonged scowl, and then burst forth : " You are, eh, you accursed petty fogger \ Well, he won't need your services, I can tell you." Blodson reddened, but kept his temper. 240 ALAS! POOR YORICK. "May it please the court, I have examined the complaint against the prisoner, and I iind nothing to warrant liis being held. He is a gentleman, who, in passing along the street, saw two officers beating a man to death — " "Enough, sir. I'll hear no insinuations against two worthy officers. Prisoner, you will need no counsel here — better dismiss this fellow at once." "Sir, ril dismiss myself," cried Blodson. "I see I can do my client no good before such a court as this. But, look out for yourself, Judge! I'll have you bounced inside of six months, or my name's not Blodson." "Leave the court, you scoundrel!" cried the justice, in a rage, after the retreating lawyer. "Now, sir," continued he, calming down a little, and again addressing the i^risoner, "do you want to settle, or shall I send you up ?" "Settle!" exclaimed Alvarez, somewhat bewil- dered, "I — I— really — " "Here, officer, since the prisoner is so thick- headed, take him back and lock him up. We'll try him again to-morrow at twelve o'clock." So the mystified Brazilian was again dragged out of the court, and around into the prison. CHAPTER XVII. THE IMPOSTOR STANDS EXPOSED. N hour after, Blodson again sent up word to Alvarez, and another interview took place. "I couldn't do any good be- fore that Judge," said the law- yer. "Indeed! and why not?" in- quired the Brazilian. ' ' Is not one man bound to administer the law as well as another." "Who, Rooney? Why, my dear sir, he only got the nomination by the skin of his teeth. He lives up in our ward, and I worked against him last election, and he knows it. He'd send an inno- cent man up in a minute if I had anything to do with him, and he thought he could spite me. Be- ll [241] 242 THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. sides, he wants to serve the two officers that made the arrest a good turn ; they are political friends of his. Yours is not an exceptional case, by any means, Sehor." Alvarez said nothing, but gazed sadly and in- tently on the ground. "Now, my plan in your case," continued Blod- son, "is to send you a lawyer that is a personal friend of Rooney, and helped elect him. He'll get you out all right in a few hours. Til go to see him forthwith. But I want your affidavit about this matter, which I'll hang on to and make it warm for Rooney some of these days." With that Blodson left, and our Brazilian was once more put under lock and key. In the afternoon he was visited by the second lawyer, and a very brief interview took place. "Ah! Senor Alvarez. Mr. Blodson has told me about your matter. Here's my card." "Mr. Mulheany ! Glad to make your acquain- tance." "You need my services, Senor ?" " I loresume so, since Mr. Blodson says he can- not help me." "Well, sir, one hundred dollars will do the THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. 243 business, upon which I will engage to have you released before night," "But, sir, I have already paid Mr. Blodson the same amount." "With that of course I have nothing to do. We are in no way connected." Alvarez stroked his beard undecidedly. "Had I not better state the case to you first, so you may judge of the merits ?" asked Alvarez. " Not at all necessary, my dear sir, and I am short of time just now. A check is all that is re- quired," replied the lawyer. Alvarez reluctantly wrote another order on Mil- man for the required amount, and Mr. Mulheany departed. Later in the day he returned and re- ported to his client. "I congratulate you, Senor, you are a free man." " At last !" exclaimed Alvarez with a sigh. " Yes, Mr. Muldoon has an order from the judge for your immediate discharge, and will bring it around shortly." "Let us go th "But, Senor.' 244 1'HE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. "The officers were brave and efficient, and the judge wishes them rewarded." "Brave!" cried our traveler in scorn, "for a strong man, armed with a club, to beat one unarmed and intoxicated, and then call another to help him ! Efficient ! to arrest me, an inoffensive gentleman, for saying a kind word, and throw me in jail charged with inciting to riot, when there was not another soul in the street !" " Softly, Senor, softly. The police has to keep the i3eace, and an officer likes to show his alertness. Now when you go for your valuables to the station, if you should leave a bill for each of them, it would encourage them, and please the judge " "Never, sir, never. AVith what face can I reward men who have killed a human being before my eyes, and worked a grievous wrong on me % My hand would wither." "But, Sehor " "Enough, sir, enough. Let them take all. I shall not go near the accursed place to claim the proijerty, and care not if I never see it again." The lawyer seemed satisfied, and with this the conversation ceased. In a short tjme Mr. Muldoon came around. THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. -245 When this gentleman's name had been mentioned, Alvarez was a little puzzled to know who he could be, but had said nothing. The party soon intro- duced himself. "I'm Patrick Muldoon, sir, and I have your order of release safe in my pocket." "Thank you, Mr. Muldoon," said our Brazilian, humbly. " Shall we go at once?" "Yes, sir, as quick as you like. But here is the bill, showing the balance you owe our firm." "Firm! What firm?" inquired Alvarez, put- ting on his glasses. "Indeed, sir, you must know I'm Mr. Mul- heany's partner." "Partner! I didn't know he had a partner, and didn't care. I paid him a hundred dollars for his services, and that was to be the end of it." "Not much, my dear sir. The firm is Mul- heany and Muldoon. If Mr. Mulheany had no partner he might be as generous as he pleased ; but you see he has. The balance due is just ninety-seven dollars and twenty-five cents. A check for that will end the matter." "Not one dollar more, sir." 246 THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. "Ah, Senor, all riglit. If you like your quar- ters and companions here so well, I may as well bid you good- day." He was about to go, when the harassed and desperate Alvarez called him back. "Give me the pen and paper, and let me end this accursed bondage." The order for the money was soon written, the release soon effected, and our Brazilian stood in the street once more a free man. The Jailer had been informed that by sending to the hotel in the morning, he would find his money enclosed for him, and was content. The lamps were being lighted as Alvarez emerged into the street. He felt a natural reluctance to getting in a public car, even if he had had the nec- essary coin in his pocket, which he had not ; and he therefore concluded to walk to the hotel, although a distance of several miles. Full of bitter reflections upon his recent experience, he moved slowly and sadly along, looking neither to right nor left. The prolonged absence of his son after having had a message sent to him, was most unaccountable. Alvarez began to fear that something fatal had hap- THE lAiPOSTOR EXPOSED. 247 pened to Juan, and concluded that he never could have reached the hotel in safety. His own experi- ence having been so remarkable and unexpected, and his observations, so far, of the possibilities of a residence among the American people having been so unfortunate, he was prepared for the worst, and would scarcely have been surprised, had he found Juan kidnapped and shipped off as a slave, or any other unheard-of disaster. Depressed in spirits and physically weak, he trudged wearily along, un- mindful of the passers-by. And Juan, it must not be supposed, during this time, was either tranquil or happy. He had arrived at the hotel about noon, on the day following the party. In the society of Bella, the hours had glided along so delightfully, and he had, withal, surrounded himself by an atmos^jhere so romantic, that he knew not whether he had been bewitched or not. Of one thing he was positive, he had never before been so happy. Brought up in seclusion, entirely away from all female society of his own age or station, the presence of the American young lady was, to him, an entirely new exis- tence. In this delightful frame of mind he reached the 248 THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. hotel, only to find his father most mysteriously absent, his bed not slept in, and none of the hotel people having seen him since the evening before. One of the clerks mentioned about the consultation with regard to the different theatres, and judged from that, he had gone to one of them ; but that was all he knew. Full of anxiety and alarm, the young man resolved to search the morning papers carefully before commencing any extended inquiry. He was bewildered with the multitude of crimes and casual- ties that were detailed, not only from the two cities but from all joarts of the country. It seemed to him as if he read of more villainous transactions and more frightful accidents that morning, than he had heard of in all his life before. There was one extended account of two brave officers, who had the night before, in effecting the arrest of a burglar in the very act of breaking in a dwelling between midnight and one o'clock, had been charged on by a most desperate outlaw, at the head of a band of followers, in an attempt to rescue the captured confederate. The account detailed the coolness and courage of the two representatives of the law, who though outnumbered, had held their ground, and finally THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. 249 succeeded in bearing off the would-be burglar, as well as tlie aforesaid leader of tlie assault. Even had he been present at the actual arrest of his parent, Juan would scarcely have recognized this narrative, but as it was he saw not the slightest connection between the event and anything that could interest him. A few lines in another part of the paper gave the descriiotion of an elderly gentleman, who had been fished out of the East river, somewhat cut about the head and stripped of his valuables, but about whom nothing was discovered whereby he could be identified. Juan's heart sank within him as he thought, that in some particulars he recog- nized his beloved father. The body was on mourn- ful exhibition at the Morgue, waiting for a claimant. In a tremor of apprehension and despair, the young man hastened thither. Upon arrival and admit- tance, scarcely daring to look at the pitiable object which lay, half naked, with the cool water dripping over him, and the clothes that were his when living hanging over his head, Juan, at length, mustered up courage sufficient to investigate, and become i30sitive that the poor clay on exhibition there was not the object of his search. 11* 25 o THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. Niglit approached, and still tlie alarmed, and now desperate, son was as much at sea as ever. Pale and haggard, he waited and watched most of the night, but toward morning sunk into an uneasy slumber. As soon after breakfast as he thought there was any possibility of seeing Mr. Milman he hastened to his office, and laid his trouble before him. The banker was as much perplexed as the young man, but advised visiting the central police office and putting advertisements at once in all the evening papers, to be followed by similar advertise- ments in the morning papers. The advice was fol- lowed without delay, and late in the afternoon Juan again sought the hotel. In taking up and scanning the last edition of the "Lightning Flash," shortly after, what was the young man's astonishment and indignation to find in great head-lines, in a prominent column on the front page : Another Feaud Exposed. A Nobleman before a Magistrate. The Emperor of Brazil in Limbo. Felony, Assault and Drunkenness. THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. 251 The account that followed was most remarkable. It gave a synox)sis of the preliminary examination had before Justice Rooney that morning, with a most glowing description of the circumstances of the arrest, the alleged crime, and so on, and then proceeded to unfold who the criminal really was. A most clever adventurer, with a pretended son, had been passing himself off as a nobleman of standing from Brazil, and had even gone so far as to hint his actually being the Emperor himself, traveling incognito. His opportune arrest at a time when he was caught in the very act of a heinous offense had, however, interrupted his dar- ing machinations. Juan started to his feet crushing the paper in his hand, and gnashing his teeth. He hastened to the office of the hotel, and inquired how he could get in the city prison, and was told only with an order from a Judge of the court. Where did Jus- tice Rooney live % The hotel clerk gave it up. In an agony of despair Juan rushed out in the street, hardly knowing what he was about. One block away from the hotel, he encountered his father wearily dragging himself along. They locked themselves in one another's embrace, and in silence, 252 THE IMPOSTOR EXPOSED. slied tears uj)on each otlier's neck, very much to the amazement of the passers-by. The morning journals took up the strain sounded by the "Lightning Flash." The account of the whole affair, from beginning to end, was much more fully detailed, with the pretended nobleman's movements, since he had assumed his. role, and the effort to shove his son into good society. One Journal even went so far as to give a history of the gang to which the would-be Emperor belonged, with the conception of the design and the nearness with which he had worked it out. The burden of the editorial comment in all was the ease with which our people were continually imposed ui)on by these bogus lords, and the great eagerness with which Americans, in spite of their pretended contemj^t for nobility, ran after and lion- ized anyone who gave the slightest indication of having gentle blood in his veins. The cleverness of the rascal in question in inlaying upon his uni- versal weakness, was acknowledged by all the papers to have been most admirable. ■v/> ^TH AVENUE HOTEL, )PPOSITE MADISON SQUARE, Ja/ictm of 5th Avenue and Broadway. E BEST ant MOST CENTRAL HOTEL ill tHe CITL ivenient to all Places of Amusement, and easy of access by all horse car and stage lines DARLIHG, GRISWOLD & CO., ^rop-rtetoTs. iiTED States Life Inmice Co. IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Home Office: 261, 262 & 263 Broadway, N. Y. Assets, S4, 846, 032. 64. Surplus, $800, 000. 00. ALL FORMS OF LIFE AND ENDOWMENT POLICIES ISSUED. Endowment Policies and Approved Claims due in 1878 will be discounted at 7 per cent, on presentation. C. P. FRALEIGH, Sec'y. JAMES BUELL, Pres't. T. H. BROSNAN, Sup't. THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THIS COMPANY ARE ADsolute Security, Economical lanageoieat, and LiDerality to tlie insured. OPINIONS EXPEESSED B7 THE- INSUEANOB COMMISSIONEES. Hon. Stephen H. Rhodes, Commissioner for Massachusetts, Bays : " The United States Life is Sound to the core and in a very creditable and flourishing condition. No life company in this coun- try has ever been subjected to a more thorough and severe scrutiny. Its books, accounts, and collaterals, its policy liabilities and agency accounts, were gone into with a minute detail which left no room for the slightest concealment or misapprehension. Its mortgages were actually appraised, and notwithstanding the decline in the value of real estate, were found to afford the most abundant security, giving evidence of remarkable discernment and soundness of judg- ment in selection from this class of securities. As the company is perfectly sound, and can afford to challenge criticism, the etlect of the very thorough examination we have made will only be to increase its popularity, and confirm the confidence now reposeil in its man- agement. The movement will only serve to advertise the company and draw public attention to its solid condition." Hon.Wm. Smyth, Insurance Superintendent of New York, states : " The people may rely upon my report as a faithful and complete statement of the truth. A fortnight was spent in the examination, but the facilities afforded by the excellent system of the company enabled the examiners to prosecute their labors with rapidity. Everything was at hand, and nothing omitted or slighted. The commissioners went into the most minute details, and every particular was verified. The assets were rather under than overestimated. Their investments arc in the most compact form, and unexceptionally good. iQl their mortgages were appraised, and I waa agreeably surprised to find that these securities had suffered no depreciation in value. A masterly judgment seems to have presided over these investments. I feel that I have reason to congratulate the life insurance interest on the strictness of the investigation, because it has demonstrated the integrity and solid strength of this sterling old life corporation." Office, mu Bep'i, Drexel Bnlldmg, cor.Wall & Broaa sts. H. W. BALDWIN, Snpi. u^''y^'mu^m^^% /L/yvvuv^ '^v 'ww#Wfewuvwww''^*'^w^??^v^G^^:^«^v /WW"' vvy 'w^W^^t^g^/w^«ww--^^vyvwV v^VVUuv/ijWW '^vyW^wwyv^yW^V^yu WWWW^VW-y^^^'^^ PW^^^^^ t'C\-y*^0'^yNM-. ^»»Wfe& 'm^m vvg^,gvyg ^^m^j!mmmi7^ 'VVWw'^', vwv'«^vw^:^ ,^:^W^^^'^^W^, «-gyyy.>yu mm^'i: yywwww. im^^^^M^mm y\;'vvvv"'Wv'V.^ vvv^vgw^ygyi .^':^^m^m^M^ /y^WyyyvvV^# w^ivvvvvvy^ 'V'J V^'VV w^v^^wQ'' s^ou^g^wvwwvwr^^^^^wgQi .p^%w \j^\jmj^' /VljWVUVV' 'uw::.'»"^Vw^ w^*^*^.:^u.^^; ;^^S^^' ..>^^^^^WV^^^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011292 409 7 • V i: