have been more admirable than a paper which appeared about this time in one of the leading magazines, written by a great capitalist during a strike in his “system,” off the uses of wealth and the responsibilities of rich men.  It amused Henderson and Uncle Jerry, and Margaret sent it, marked, to her aunt.  Uncle Jerry said it was very timely, for at the moment there was a report that Hollowell and Henderson had obtained possession of one of the great steamship lines in connection with their trans-continental system.  I thought at the time that I should like to have heard Carmen’s comments on the paper.

The continued friendly alliance of Rodney Henderson and Jerry Hollowell was a marvel to the public, which expected to read any morning that the one had sold out the other, or unloaded in a sly deal.  The Stock Exchange couldn’t understand it; it was so against all experience that it was considered something outside of human nature.  But the explanation was simple enough.  The two kept a sharp eye on each other, and, as Uncle Jerry would say, never dropped a stitch; but the simple fact was that they were necessary to each other, and there had been no opportunity when the one could handsomely swallow the other.  So it was beautiful to see their accord, and the familiar understanding between them.

One day in Henderson’s office—­it was at the time they were arranging the steamship “scoop” while they were waiting for the drafting of some papers, Uncle Jerry suddenly asked: 

“By the way, old man, what’s all this about a quarter of a million for a colored college down South?”

“Oh, that’s Mrs. Henderson’s affair.  They say it’s the most magnificent college building south of Washington.  It’s big enough.  I’ve seen the plan of it.  Henderson Hall, they are going to call it.  I suggested Margaret Henderson Hall, but she wouldn’t have it.”

“What is it for?”

“One end of it is scientific, geological, chemical, electric, biological, and all that; and the other end is theological.  Miss Eschelle says it’s to reconcile science and religion.”

“She’s a daisy-that girl.  Seems to me, though, that you are educating the colored brother all on top.  I suppose, however, it wouldn’t have been so philanthropic to build a hall for a white college.”

Henderson laughed.  “You keep your eye on the religious sentiment of the North, Uncle Jerry.  I told Mrs. Henderson that we had gone long on the colored brother a good while.  She said this was nothing.  We could endow a Henderson University by-and-by in the Southwest, white as alabaster, and I suppose we shall.”

“Yes, probably we’ve got to do something in that region to keep ’em quiet.  The public is a curious fish.  It wants plenty of bait.”

“And something to talk about,” continued Henderson.  “We are going down next week to dedicate Henderson Hall.  I couldn’t get out of it.”

“Oh, it will pay,” said Uncle Jerry, as he turned again to business.