cks and bonds in the market, his charters in the
Legislature, and took away from him the contracts to supply the
municipality of Boston with gas. For a time Addicks struck back
savagely. Then, as the fight became hotter, he gave it up in Brooklyn,
and concentrated all his resources on repelling the savage inroads
Rogers was making in Boston. By this time the contest had grown to such
proportions and so much bad blood had been engendered that Rogers
declined to be mollified by Addicks' surrender in Brooklyn and refused
to retire from Boston unless Addicks repaid "Standard Oil's" entire
outlay and got down on his knees in public--a demand that called forth
one of Addicks' sardonic smiles.

Addicks had at this time additional difficulties to face. He had spread
out his financial commitments, and now he found his stocks and bonds all
declining. It was obvious to State and Wall streets that Rogers was in a
fair way to drive the buccaneer from Philadelphia to the wall.

It is at this stage that I come into the story.

CHAPTER XII

STOCK-BROKERS NOT ALL BAD

Right here, before plunging deeper into the current of events which led
to the organization of Amalgamated--for what has gone before is only
that which I deem necessary setting for the story, necessary in order
that my readers may clearly take in its meaning--it is only fair to them
and to myself for me to say that my life has been spent in the
stock-market for the purpose of gain. I have never in my stock
operations set myself up for a philanthropist nor in any way posed as a
reformer, nor pretended to be a bit better than the business I had
chosen for a livelihood. From the first day until now I have endeavored
to keep strictly to the principle that I would never knowingly deceive
any man, woman, or child who, out of confidence in me, risked their
money in speculation or investment. At the same time it should be
remembered that the stock-brokerage business often makes queer
bedfellows. Moreover, the true stock-operator is sometimes tempted to
buckle on his armor and get into an exciting fight solely for the
combat's sake, and then he may not be over-concerned about the rights
and wrongs of the contention, if upon both sides are lined up
professional captains of finance. The minister, the college professor,
the dry-goods merchant, may exclaim against this, but they have never
known the delicious tingle which, since the abolition of the tournaments
of old, ca