"We have, indeed," said Ashley. "To-night we make a new departure. What shall we call our mess?"
Many names were suggested, but finally "The Comstock Club" was proposed and nominated by acclamation.
THE COMSTOCK CLUB.
It was agreed, too, that no other members, except honorary members, should be admitted, and no politics talked. Then the conversation became general, and later, confidential; and each member of the Club uncovered a little his heart and his hopes.
Miller meant, so soon as he "made a little stake," to go down to San Francisco and assault the stock sharps right in their Pine and California street dens. He believed he had discovered the rule which could reduce stock speculation to an exact science, and he was anxious for the opportunity which a little capital would afford, "to show those sharpers at the Bay a trick or two, which they had never yet 'dropped on.'" He added, patronizingly: "I will loan you all so much money, by and by, that each of you will have enough to start a bank."
"I shtarted a bank alridy, all be mesilf, night before last," said Corrigan.
"What kind of a bank was it, Barney?" asked Harding.