WAR TIME AND GOLD 61 



tained my majority this was the limit of partner- 

 ship possible. 



The calamitous issue of greenbacks, and later 

 of National Bank notes, doubled the cost of the 

 war, changed business into gambling, and made 

 of gambling a business. Speculation overflowed 

 the boundaries of the Stock Exchange, and after 

 its adjournment each day a frenzied crowd 

 swayed to and fro at the corner of William 

 Street and Exchange Place, shrieking their bids 

 and offers. Those who willed might buy or sell 

 stocks, giving some recognized broker who would 

 guarantee the contract. 



Here culminated the Harlem tragedy and the 

 picture of John Tobin is vivid in my memory, as 

 he stood wild-eyed, on the steps of a building on 

 the southwest corner of William Street and Ex- 

 change Place, bidding, bidding, always bidding, 

 at always advancing prices, for one hundred, two 

 hundred, five hundred shares of Harlem. His 

 hair was dishevelled, his collar ends loose, and he 

 seemed to froth at the mouth while tobacco juice 



