His knowledge of men and things is regulated by their properties, and his estimate of the proper pursuits of life has received a bias from his literal construction of the Apocalypse, in which the streets of the new Jerusalem are described as being of pure gold; and he appears to regard the possession of it here, as the surest passport on his way there. In exactness and punctuality, he is a model for imitation. He generally operates “for a fall,” and, like his great progenitor, his interest compels him to take pleasure rather in demolishing than in building up. His assiduity and skill are such, that, united with his great physical force, mechanically denominated “a purchase power,” he can tear down more in one week, than the whole fraternity can build up in a year; and he has been known to topple a Bank, an Insurance company, a Railroad, or a whole bevy of brokers, by a single application of his lever.
But such is the variety and opposition of interests created by the multitude of heads, and the multiform opinions entertained by them, the circumstances of which are varied by every transaction that takes place, of which none but those concerned in them can have any control, that the wittiest sometimes get outwitted, and the strongest outdone.
GETS TRAPPED.
Not long since, a squad of Bull-backers, had for some months been, secretly, and unknown to Mr. T., getting control of a certain stock, intending to “corner” some one with it; and, aware of Mr. T.’s tearing down propensity, after due consultation, they laid a scheme whereby to entrap him. Deputing an agent of well known paucity of dollars, they sent him to Mr. T. to get a loan of money on a large amount of the aforesaid stock. The loan was completed for the term of 90 days, Mr. T. advancing two thirds the nominal value. Whether he had any ulterior object, or not, in lending the money is not known; but, as he seldom made such loans when such object did not sooner or later disclose itself, it is suspected, that in this case, he looked beyond the present bargain, and, believing that his debtors would be obliged to sell the stock he held, for what it would bring, to pay his loan when due, he commenced his operations for a fall in the stock, by selling it all out. It so happened, however, that the Bull-backers aforesaid, were the buyers of it, and this was just the snare into which they desired to lead Mr. T., knowing that when their agent should pay up his loan, and call for the stock, T. would be obliged to buy it of them, at such increased prices, as they should dictate. And Mr. T. was soon made sensible of his condition, by his debtor calling long before the time, and offering to pay up the loan, and withdraw the Stock. He was certainly surprised, but his quiet and collected manner betrayed no emotion. And here I must render another tribute to his character. He certainly bears his profits and losses well; as great men are said to bear their honors and misfortunes, with unassuming and unrepining philosophy.
The discovery of his situation however, called for the exercise of his sagacity, and he modestly declined receiving the money, only saying, that he preferred it should rest for the time agreed on.
IN A QUANDARY.
As soon as his debtor had gone out, he thrust his hands in his pockets, his eyes resting on the floor in front, and sticking out his lips, in a way which no other man does, he muttered to himself “I’m in a bear-trap—this won’t do. The dogs will ‘come over’ me. I shall be mulct in a loss. But I’ve got time—I’ll turn the scale, I’ll help the bulls, operate for a rise, and draw in the flunkies.”
These men, I should have said before, have no other rule of judgment for their operations than to follow in the wake of some great and successful speculator. Mr. T. very properly regards them as sheep for the slaughter; and although the milk of human kindness certainly is a component of his heart, he makes no scruple of sacrificing a score of them at a time. Why should he? for killed and eaten they certainly will be by somebody: but they are a genitive race, and re-produce as fast as destroyed.
WORKS OUT BY DRAWING OTHERS IN.
Mr. T. had need of no further exertion, to accomplish his purpose, than to make his course manifest to them, they all followed his apparent lead, as sheep will follow one another over a wall, if they all fall into a ditch on the other side. Even the wise man of Israel, by his own confession, did not know every thing. “The way of the serpent on the rock was too wonderful even for him,” and so in this case; the way of their leader was to them, “past finding out.” But the secret of the management necessary, in this case, is, to do just the opposite of what one appears to do. Mr. T. therefore continued to operate visibly for a fall, by selling out small sums for future delivery, which he took care to have trumpeted by another, while he was very reserved himself. He thus drew all the “flunkies” after him, as they supposed, while he was in reality the purchaser, through his agents, of all that they contracted to sell, and by this means, before the expiration of the loan, he was in possession of the stock to deliver, with a difference of ten thousand dollars in his favor, against the flunkies.