100 WALL STREET AND THE WILDS 



the earth or the air, and have killed my own 

 goose of the golden eggs. 



It is difficult for even those most familiar with 

 the subject to estimate with an approach to 

 accuracy the quantity available of any given sub- 

 stance. It is not inconceivable that a corner in 

 radium, the total quantity in existence of which 

 is often estimated in grains, would bring to light 

 a few overlooked pounds of the stuff. I knew 

 where the gold of the market was held and the 

 amount it would yield under a given pressure of 

 rates better than any other man. Yet it has 

 happened that when I have estimated that the 

 withdrawal of a million would put the rate where 

 I wanted it, I have been compelled to double 

 that amount on a following day and even to 

 quadruple it to produce the effect I sought. 

 These amounts are commonplaces to-day, but 

 when checks invaded millions at that time they 

 were counted of importance and a single one 

 which we drew on October 9, 1866, for $3,803,- 

 283.34 on the Fourth National Bank stood for 



