That gentleman, after the roar of greeting had subsided, said:—
“Gentlemen: I think you will agree with me in believing that the prices of securities listed on this exchange have, during the past week, ruled altogether too low. I propose to put an end to this condition of things, which ought never to have been brought about, and I have authorized my brokers here to offer, during to-day and to-morrow, and for the rest of this week, to purchase, to the extent of $700,000,000, any and all railroad stocks listed on this Exchange, at the prices which ruled at the close of the board on Saturday week, before the panic began.”
A great cheer went up from the throats of the multitude, and, after it subsided, Isaiah Wolf, livid with rage and excitement, arose and exclaimed:—
“Does this lunatic then expect to make fools of us all? Is it to be beliefed dot this crazy man has got seven huntret millions of tollars in cash to buy stocks mit? His golt mine has turned his prain. It vos better dot we don’t all pe too fresh apout this pizness.”
Morning quietly continued:—
“Anticipating that my purchases of stock might possibly be large to-day and during the week, I have made arrangements to dispense with the customary methods, and so will avoid the usual delays in receiving and paying for stock. I have quadrupled my usual force of clerks, and my offices on Broadway will be open every day this week from nine o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock at night. No checks, certified or otherwise, will be issued by me, but the stocks bought by my brokers will be paid for on delivery at my offices at any time during the hours named, and paid for in treasury and national bank notes.”
“Where,” roared Wolf, “did you get such a sum of money as seven huntret millions of tollars? You are either a liar, a lunatic, or a counterfeiter.”
“Two hundred millions of dollars of the money which I hold,” replied Morning, “was deposited by you and your colleagues in the conspiracy, as security for the return of stocks which I bought of you, and then loaned to you to sell to me again and again. Under the rules of the stock board these $200,000,000 will be forfeited to me unless you restore the borrowed stocks on the usual notice. The notices will be served on you to-day, and when you begin to buy in to cover your shorts, you will be compelled to pay full value. I think I can count upon your $200,000,000 to aid in paying for to-day’s purchases, Mr. Wolf.” And, amid continued cheers and laughter, Morning descended from the caller’s stand, and started for his seat.
Claybank and Gray had left the hall, but Wolf remained, and as Morning passed along the aisle, the Jew, with face white and twitching, and with foam on his mustache, stepped out and confronted him.
“You have made a beggar of me,” said he with a curse, “but I will have your heart’s blood for this,” and he reached for Morning’s throat.