ure. Their house was located not so very far from his own, on North Front Street, in the neighborhood of what is now known as No. 956. It had, in summer, quite a wealth of green leave

e no books to speak of - the Bible, a few current novels, some of the more significant histories, and a collection of antiquated odds and ends in the shape of books inherited from relatives. The china was good - of a deli

social life, except such as had come to the Wiggin family, of which she was a member - relatives and a few neighborhood friends visiting. Lillian Wiggin, that wa

d one - well-stocked with styles reflecting the current tastes and a model of cleanliness and what one might term pleasing brightness. He loved to talk, when he talked at all, of shoe manufacturing, the development of lasts and styles. The ready-mad

somewhat like a figure on an antique vase, or out of a Greek chorus. It was in this light, unquestionably, that Cowperwood saw her, for from the beginning he could not keep his eyes off her. In a way, she was aw

coming financially significant, was suave and ingratiating, and in the next place he was anxious to get richer and somehow Frank represented progress to him in that line. One spring evening they sat on the porch and talked - nothing very important - slavery, street-cars, the panic - it was on then, that of 1857 - the development of the West. Mr. Semple wanted to

visability of buying some shares in the Fifth and Sixth Street line, which, having secured a franchise, was creating great excitement. Cowperwood gave him his best judgment. It was sure to be profitabl

d person, not obstreperously so, but quietly and under the surface. Business was a great urge. He saw himself soon to be worth about fifty thousand dollars. Then this cold - nine more days of pneumonia - and he was dead. The shoe store was closed for a few days; the house was full of sympathetic friends and church people. There was a funeral, with burial service in the Callowhill Presbyterian Church, to which they belonged, and then he was buried. Mrs. Semple cried bitterly. The shock of

funeral. He helped her brother, David Wiggin, dispose of the shoe business. He called once or twice after the funeral, then stayed away

ing money now. His salary was fifty dollars a week, and he was certain soon to get more. Some lots of his in West Philadelphia, bought three years before, had increased notably in value. His street-car holdings, augmented by still additional lots of fifty and one hundred and one hundred and fifty shares in new lines incorporated, were slowly rising, in spite of hard times, from the initiative five dollars in each case to ten, fifteen, and twenty-five dollars a share - all destined to go to par. He was liked in the financial district and he was sure that he had a successful future. B

he wished. He advised her about her business affairs in so intelligent a way that even her relatives approved of it. She came to like him, because he was so considerate, quiet, reassuring, and

ne night. "I'm awfully grateful. I don't know wh

ace, which was turned to her

ant to do it. I wouldn't hav

ot a gleam. She felt warm toward him, sympathet

u've been so good. Come out Sunday again, i

business depression. Money was so scarce that it could fairly be said not to exist at all. Capital, frightened by uncertain trade and money conditions, everywhere, retired to its hiding-places in banks, vaults, tea-kettles, and stockings. The country seemed to be going to the dogs. War with the South or secession was vaguely looming up in the distance. The temper of the whole nation was nervous. People

aid to Frank, one day, producing a bundle of Philadelphia & Wilmington sh

curities. "At any other time they would be. But money is so tight. We find it awfully hard

loan. Eight per cent., then being secured for money, was a small rate of interest, considering its need. For ten pe

tiously. "Why, the interest they want is ruinous! I can't stand that. Well, ta

'll pay ten per cent

to draw against it at once. He made out a check for the total fifteen thousa

ed his immediate interests. He longed to become a stable financier; but, now that he saw the inside of the brokerage business, he was not so sure that he wanted to stay in it. Gambling in stocks, according to conditions produced by this panic, seemed

wanted to do - now that he had this free money, he would go into business

et in the note-brokerage business for myself. I don't trust this stock game. I'

f time to work for yourself." In the end he parted friends with both Ti

ed Rivers. "He's the shrewdes