“We are honored,” I said, “on this festive occasion, by a gentleman of vast wealth, one who can control more ready money than any man in America, and be it said to his honor, it has all been of his own creation. He is a true representative of American thrift and enterprise. His money and his genial disposition together combined make all men his friends, and I know of only one antagonistic spirit to the continued growth of this already marvellous fortune; but that one, in all probability, may yet work his ruin. I refer to our honored guest, Mr. Drew, and his one enemy which I have in mind is ‘Avarice.’” In five years from that memorable dinner Daniel Drew was a ruined man, and his thirteen millions had vanished like the baseless fabric of a vision, leaving nothing but the miserable wreck of an avaricious spirit behind. The manner in which Drew was supposed to make religion the handmaid to speculation was satirically touched in the following verses published in the New York _Tribune_ about fifteen years ago: He was a long, lank countryman, And he stoppeth one of two. “I’m not acquaint in these yeere parts, An’ I’m a lookin’ fur Dan’l Drew.” “I’m a stranger in the vineyard, An’ my callin’ I pursoo At the institoot at Madison, That was built by Dan’l Drew.” “I’m a stranger in the vineyard, An’ my ’arthly wants are few; But I want sum p’ints on them yer sheares, An’ I’m a lookin’ fur Dan’l Drew.” Again I saw that laborer, Corner of Wall and New; He was looking for a ferry boat, And not for Daniel Drew. Upon his back he bore a sack, Inscribed “Preferred Q. U.” Some Canton scrip was in his grip, A little Wabash, too. At the ferry gate I saw him late, With his white hat askew, Paying his fare with a registered share Of that “Preferred Q. U.” And these words came back from the “Hackensack:” “Ef yew want ter gamble a few, Jest git in yer paw at a game o’ draw, But don’t take a ’and with Drew.” Mr. Drew was negligent in his attire, even to the verge of slovenliness. He dressed like a drover, having originally been employed in that capacity. By the way, the significant term of “watering stock” originated in the practice of Uncle Daniel giving his cattle salt in order to create a thirst in them that would cause them to imbibe large quantities of water, and thus appear bigger and fatter when brought to market. Until he met with Gould and Fisk, it was difficult for anybody to get the best of him in a deal. He was wonderfully prolific in resources for the purpose of getting advantage of those who attempted to overreach him.