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THE FINANCIER
be granted, in which case he would have to serve a term in the penitentiary. If he were compelled to go to the penitentiary she would
be safer – better off in the bosom of her family. His own hands were
going to be exceedingly full for the next two months until he knew
how his appeal was coming out. And after that – well, after that he
would fi ght on, whatever happened.
During all the time that Cowperwood had been arguing his
case in this fashion he had been thinking how he could adjust this
compromise so as to retain the affection of Aileen and not offend
her sensibilities by urging her to return. He knew that she would
not agree to give up seeing him, and he was not willing that she
should. Unless he had a good and suffi cient reason, he would be
playing a wretched part by telling Butler where she was. He did not
intend to do so until he saw exactly how to do it – the way that would
make it most acceptable to Aileen. He knew that she would not long
be happy where she was. Her fl ight was due in part to Butler’s intense opposition to himself and in part to his determination to make
her leave Philadelphia and behave; but this last was now in part
obviated. Butler, in spite of his words, was no longer a stern Nemesis.
He was a melting man – very anxious to fi nd his daughter, very willing to forgive her. He was whipped, literally beaten, at his own game,
and Cowperwood could see it in the old man’s eyes. If he himself
could talk to Aileen personally and explain just how things were,
he felt sure he could make her see that it would be to their mutual advantage, for the present at least, to have the matter amicably
settled. The thing to do was to make Butler wait somewhere – here,
possibly – while he went and talked to her. When she learned how
things were she would probably acquiesce.
«The best thing that I can do under the circumstances», he said,
after a time, «would be to see Aileen in two or three days, and ask
her what she wishes to do. I can explain the matter to her, and if
she wants to go back, she can. I will promise to tell her anything
that you say».
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THEODORE DREISER
«Two or three days!» exclaimed Butler, irritably. «Two or three
fi ddlesticks! She must come home to-night. Her mother doesn’t
know she’s left the place yet. To-night is the time! I’ll go and fetch
her meself to-night».
«No, that won’t do», said Cowperwood. «I shall have to go
myself. If you wish to wait here I will see what can be done, and
let you know».
«Very well», grunted Butler, who was now walking up and down
with his hands behind his back. «But for Heaven’s sake be quick
about it. There’s no time to lose». He was thinking of Mrs. Butler.
Cowperwood called the servant, ordered his runabout, and told
George to see that his private offi ce was not disturbed. Then, as Butler strolled to and fro in this, to him, objectionable room, Cowperwood drove rapidly away.
CHAPTER XLVII
Although it was nearly eleven o’clock when he arrived at
the Calligans’, Aileen was not yet in bed. In her bedroom upstairs
she was confi ding to Mamie and Mrs. Calligan some of her social
experiences when the bell rang, and Mrs. Calligan went down and
opened the door to Cowperwood.
«Miss Butler is here, I believe», he said. «Will you tell her that
there is some one here from her father?» Although Aileen had
instructed that her presence here was not to be divulged even to
th e members of her family the force of Cowperwood’s presence and
the mention of Butler’s name cost Mrs. Calligan her presence of
mind. «Wait a moment», she said; «I’ll see».
She stepped back, and Cowperwood promptly stepped in, taking
off his hat with the air of one who was satisfi ed that Aileen was there.
«Say to her that I only want to speak to her for a few moments», he
called, as Mrs. Calligan went up-stairs, raising his voice in the hope
that Aileen might hear. She did, and came down promptly. She was
very much astonished to think that he should come so soon, and
fancied, in her vanity, that there must be great excitement in her
home. She would have greatly grieved if there had not been.
The Calligans would have been pleased to hear, but Cowperwood was cautious. As she came down the stairs he put his fi nger to
his lips in sign for silence, and said, «This is Miss Butler, I believe».
«Yes», replied Aileen, with a secret smile. Her one desire was to
kiss him. «What’s the trouble darling?» she asked, softly.
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THEODORE DREISER
«You’ll have to go back, dear, I’m afraid», whispered Cowperwood. «You’ll have everything in a turmoil if you don’t. Your mother
doesn’t know yet, it seems, and your father is over at my place now,
waiting for you. It may be a good deal of help to me if you do. Let me
tell you –» He went off into a complete description of his conversation with Butler and his own views in the matter. Aileen’s expression changed from time to time as the various phases of the matter
were put before her; but, persuaded by the clearness with which
he put the matter, and by his assurance that they could continue
their relations as before uninterrupted, once this was settled, she
decided to return. In a way, her father’s surrender was a great triumph. She made her farewells to the Calligans, saying, with a smile,
that they could not do without her at home, and that she would
send for her belongings later, and returned with Cowperwood to
his own door. There he asked her to wait in the runabout while he
sent her father down.
«Well?» said Butler, turning on him when he opened the door,
and not seeing Aileen.
«You’ll fi nd her outside in my runabout», observed Cowperwood. «You may use that if you choose. I will send my man for it».
«No, thank you; we’ll walk», said Butler.
Cowperwood called his servant to take charge of the vehicle,
and Butler stalked solemnly out.
He had to admit to himself that the infl uence of Cowperwood
over his daughter was deadly, and probably permanent. The best
he could do would be to keep her within the precincts of the home,
where she might still, possibly, be brought to her senses. He held
a very guarded conversation with her on his way home, for fear that
she would take additional offense. Argument was out of the question.
«Ye might have talked with me once more, Aileen», he said, «before ye left. Yer mother would be in a terrible state if she knew ye
were gone. She doesn’t know yet. Ye’ll have to say ye stayed somewhere to dinner».
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THE FINANCIER
«I was at the Calligans», replied Aileen. «That’s easy enough.
Mama won’t think anything about it».
«It’s a sore heart I have, Aileen. I hope ye’ll think over your ways
and do better. I’ll not say anythin’ more now».
Aileen returned to her room, decidedly triumphant in her mood
for the moment, and things went on apparently in the Butler household as before. But those who imagine that this defeat permanently
altered the attitude of Butler toward Cowperwood are mistaken.
In the meanwhile between the day of his temporary release and
the hearing of his appeal which was two months off, Cowperwood
was going on doing his best to repair his shattered forces. He took up
his work where he left off; but the possibility of reorganizing his
business was distinctly modifi ed since his conviction. Because of his
action in trying to protect his largest creditors at the time of his
failure, he fancied that once he was free again, if ever he got free,
his credit, other things being equal, would be good with those who
could help him most – say, Cooke & Co., Clark & Co., Drexel & Co.,
and the Girard National Bank – providing his personal reputation
had not been too badly injured by his sentence. Fortunately for his
own hopefulness of mind, he failed fully to realize what a depressing
effect a legal decision of this character, sound or otherwise, had on
the minds of even his most enthusiastic supporters.
His best friends in the fi nancial world were by now convinced
that his was a sinking ship. A student of fi nance once observed that
nothing is so sensitive as money, and the fi nancial mind partakes
largely of the quality of the thing in which it deals. There was no
use trying to do much for a man who might be going to prison for
a term of years. Something might be done for him possibly in connection with the governor, providing he lost his case before the Supreme Court and was actually sentenced to prison; but that was two
months off, or more, and they could not tell what the outcome of that
would be. So Cowperwood’s repeated appeals for assistance, extension of credit, or the acceptance of some plan he had for his general
rehabilitation, were met with the kindly evasions of those who were
435
THEODORE DREISER
doubtful. They would think it over. They would see about it. Certain
things were standing in the way. And so on, and so forth, through all
the endless excuses of those who do not care to act. In these days he
went about the money world in his customary jaunty way, greeting
all those whom he had known there many years and pretending,
when asked, to be very hopeful, to be doing very well; but they did
not believe him, and he really did not care whether they did or not.
His business was to persuade or over-persuade any one who could
really be of assistance to him, and at this task he worked untiringly,
ignoring all others.
«Why, hello, Frank», his friends would call, on seeing him. «How
are you getting on?»
«Fine! Fine!» he would reply, cheerfully. «Never better», and he
would explain in a general way how his affairs were being handled.
He conveyed much of his own optimism to all those who knew him
and were interested in his welfare, but of course there were many
who were not.
In these days also, he and Steger were constantly to be met
with in courts of law, for he was constantly being reexamined in
some petition in bankruptcy. They were heartbreaking days, but
he did not fl inch. He wanted to stay in Philadelphia and fi ght
the thing to a fi nish – putting himself where he had been before
the fi re; rehabilitating himself in the eyes of the public. He felt that
he could do it, too, if he were not actually sent to prison for a long
term; and even then, so naturally optimistic was his mood, when he
got out again. But, in so far as Philadelphia was concerned, distinctly
he was dreaming vain dreams.
One of the things militating against him was the continued opposition of Butler and the politicians. Somehow – no one could
have said exactly why – the general political feeling was that the fi nancier and the former city treasurer would lose their appeals and
eventually be sentenced together. Stener, in spite of his original intention to plead guilty and take his punishment without comment,
had been persuaded by some of his political friends that it would
436
THE FINANCIER
be better for his future’s sake to plead not guilty and claim that
his offense had been due to custom, rather than to admit his guilt
outright and so seem not to have had any justifi cation whatsoever.
This he did, but he was convicted nevertheless. For the sake of appearances, a trumped-up appeal was made which was now before
the State Supreme Court.
Then, too, due to one whisper and another, and these originating
with the girl who had written Butler and Cowperwood’s wife, there
was at this time a growing volume of gossip relating to the alleged
relations of Cowperwood with Butler’s daughter, Aileen. There had
been a house in Tenth Street. It had been maintained by Cowperwood
for her. No wonder Butler was so vindictive. This, indeed, explained
much. And even in the practical, fi nancial world, criticism was now
rather against Cowperwood than his enemies. For, was it not a fact,
that at the inception of his career, he had been befriended by Butler?
And what a way to reward that friendship! His oldest and fi rmest
admirers wagged their heads. For they sensed clearly that this was
another illustration of that innate «I satisfy myself» attitude which
so regulated Cowperwood’s conduct. He was a strong man, surely –
and a brilliant one. Never had Third Street seen a more pyrotechnic, and yet fascinating and fi nancially aggressive, and at the same
time, conservative person. Yet might one not fairly tempt Nemesis by
a too great daring and egotism? Like Death, it loves a shining mark.
He should not, perhaps, have seduced Butler’s daughter; unquestionably he should not have so boldly taken that check, especially after
his quarrel and break with Stener. He was a little too aggressive. Was
it not questionable whether – with such a record – he could be restored to his former place here? The bankers and business men who
were closest to him were decidedly dubious.
But in so far as Cowperwood and his own attitude toward life
was concerned, at this time – the feeling he had –»to satisfy myself» – when combined with his love of beauty and love and women,
still made him ruthless and thoughtless. Even now, the beauty and
delight of a girl like Aileen Butler were far more important to him
437
THEODORE DREISER
than the good-will of fi fty million people, if he could evade the necessity of having their good-will. Previous to the Chicago fi re and
the panic, his star had been so rapidly ascending that in the helter-skelter of great and favorable events he had scarcely taken
thought of the social signifi cance of the thing he was doing. Youth
and the joy of life were in his blood. He felt so young, so vigorous,
so like new grass looks and feels. The freshness of spring evenings
was in him, and he did not care. After the crash, when one might
have imagined he would have seen the wisdom of relinquishing Aileen for the time being, anyhow, he did not care to. She represented
the best of the wonderful days that had gone before. She was a link
between him and the past and a still-to-be triumphant future.
His worst anxiety was that if he were sent to the penitentiary,
or adjudged a bankrupt, or both, he would probably lose the privilege of a seat on ‘change, and that would close to him the most distinguished avenue of his prosperity here in Philadelphia for some
time, if not forever. At present, because of his complications, his seat
had been attached as an asset, and he could not act. Edward and
Joseph, almost the only employees he could afford, were still acting
for him in a small way; but the other members on ‘change naturally
suspected his brothers as his agents, and any talk that they might
raise of going into business for themselves merely indicated to other
brokers and bankers that Cowperwood was contemplating some
concealed move which would not necessarily be advantageous to
his creditors, and against the law anyhow. Yet he must remain on
‘change, whatever happened, potentially if not actively; and so in
his quick mental searchings he hit upon the idea that in order to
forfend against the event of his being put into prison or thrown into
bankruptcy, or both, he ought to form a subsidiary silent partnership with some man who was or would be well liked on ‘change, and
whom he could use as a cat’s-paw and a dummy.
Finally he hit upon a man who he thought would do. He did
not amount to much – had a small business; but he was honest,
and he liked Cowperwood. His name was Wingate – Stephen Wing-
438
THE FINANCIER
ate – and he was eking out a not too robust existence in South Third
Street as a broker. He was forty-fi ve years of age, of medium height,
fairly thick-set, not at all unprepossessing, and rather intelligent
and active, but not too forceful and pushing in spirit. He really
needed a man like Cowperwood to make him into something, if ever
he was to be made. He had a seat on ‘change, and was well thought
of; respected, but not so very prosperous. In times past he had asked
small favors of Cowperwood – the use of small loans at a moderate rate of interest, tips, and so forth; and Cowperwood, because he
liked him and felt a little sorry for him, had granted them. Now
Wingate was slowly drifting down toward a none too successful old
age, and was as tractable as such a man would naturally be. No one
for the time being would suspect him of being a hireling of Cowperwood’s, and the latter could depend on him to execute his orders to
the letter. He sent for him and had a long conversation with him.
He told him just what the situation was, what he thought he could
do for him as a partner, how much of his business he would want for
himself, and so on, and found him agreeable.
«I’ll be glad to do anything you say, Mr. Cowperwood», he assured the latter. «I know whatever happens that you’ll protect me,
and there’s nobody in the world I would rather work with or have
greater respect for. This storm will all blow over, and you’ll be all
right. We can try it, anyhow. If it don’t work out you can see what
you want to do about it later».
And so this relationship was tentatively entered into and Cowperwood began to act in a small way through Wingate.
CHAPTER XLVIII
By the time the State Supreme Court came to pass upon Cowperwood’s plea for a reversal of the lower court and the granting of
a new trial, the rumor of his connection with Aileen had spread
far and wide. As has been seen, it had done and was still doing him
much damage. It confi rmed the impression, which the politicians
had originally tried to create, that Cowperwood was the true criminal and Stener the victim. His semi-legitimate fi nancial subtlety,
backed indeed by his fi nancial genius, but certainly on this account
not worse t han that being practiced in peace and quiet and with
much applause in many other quarters – was now seen to be Machiavellian trickery of the most dangerous type. He had a wife and
two children; and without knowing what his real thoughts had been
the fruitfully imaginative public jumped to the conclusion that he
had been on the verge of deserting them, divorcing Lillian, and marrying Aileen. This was criminal enough in itself, from the conservative point of view; but when taken in connection with his fi nancial record, his trial, conviction, and general bankruptcy situation,
the public was inclined to believe that he was all the politicians said
he was. He ought to be convicted. The Supreme Court ought not to
grant his prayer for a new trial. It is thus that our inmost thoughts
and intentions burst at times via no known material agency into
public thoughts. People know, when they cannot apparently possibly know why they know. There is such a thing as thought-transference and transcendentalism of ideas.
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