And these comments were nearly all respectful, and most of them kindly. There was some justice in this, for Henderson had been doing what everybody else was trying to do, usually without his good-fortune. If he was more successful than others in trying to get rich, surely a great deal of admiration was mingled with the envy of his career. To be sure, some journals were very severe upon his methods, and some revived the old stories of his unscrupulousness in transactions which had laid him open to criminal prosecution, from the effects of which he was only saved by uncommon adroitness and, some said, by legal technicalities. His career also was denounced by some as wholly vicious in its effect upon the youth of the republic, and as lowering the tone of public morals. And yet it was remembered that he had been a frank, open-hearted friend, kind to his family, and generous in contrast with some of his close-fisted contemporaries. There was nothing mean about him; even his rascalities, if you chose to call his transactions by that name, were on a grand scale. To be sure, he would let nothing stand between him and the consummation of his schemes--he was like Napoleon in that--but those who knew him personally liked him. The building up of his colossal fortune--which the newspapers were saying was the largest that had been accumulated in one lifetime in America--had ruined thousands of people, and carried disaster into many peaceful houses, and his sudden death had been a cyclone of destruction for an hour. But it was hardly fair, one journal pointed out, to hold Henderson responsible for his untimely death. Even Jack Delancy, when the crushing news was brought him at the club, where he sat talking with Major Fairfax, although he saw his own ruin in a flash, said, “It wouldn't have happened if Henderson had lived.” “Not so soon,” replied the Major, hesitatingly. “Do you mean to say that Henderson and Mavick and Mrs. Henderson would have thrown me over?” “Why, no, not exactly; but a big machine grinds on regardless, and when the crash comes everybody looks out for himself.” “I think I'll telegraph to Mavick.” “That wouldn't do any good now. He couldn't have stopped the panic. I tell you what, you'd better go down to your brokers and see just how matters stand.” And the two went down to Wall Street. It was after hours, but the brokers' office was full of excitement. No one knew what was left from the storm, nor what to expect. It was some time before Jack could get speech with one of the young men of the firm. “How is it?” he asked. “It's been a----of a time.” “And Henderson?” “Oh, his estate is all right, so far as we know. He was well out of the Missouris.” “And the Missouri?” “Bottom dropped out; temporarily, anyway.” “And my account?” “Wiped out, I am sorry to say. Might come up by-and-by, if you've got a lot of money to put up, and wait.”