This is the veritable story of how I acquired the frontage on Market street which enabled me to open New Montgomery street through my property to Howard. I was certain it would soon be extended to the bay and solve the problem of the 60’s--“Montgomery South.” At the Market street corners of the street I opened, the Palace Hotel and the Merchants’ Bank, two of the finest buildings in San Francisco, now stand. I made New Montgomery street, as it stands to-day, a free gift to the city of San Francisco, and it must remain a permanent record of my existence. I may add that I had to scatter numerous shekels among the “boys” before the gift was finally accepted. Also, the earthquake literally shook $350,000 out of Selim Woodworth, which he would have received otherwise in a few days. CHAPTER XVI. MONTGOMERY SOUTH DEAL COMES TO NOTICE OF RALSTON, WHO BUYS QUARTER INTEREST IN REAL ESTATE PROJECT. Long before the events narrated in the last chapter a most important person became a character in this narrative. In one way or another, I had become quite a figure in the business world of San Francisco; I took a flyer at several things in a speculative line, always made money at my ventures, and was generally looked on as what we now call “a comer.” But it was entirely because of my large and peculiar real estate investments that I attracted the notice of the great central figure of California of that day--one who always wished to be associated with any of the large movements of his time. Almost from the date when I first had money enough to make it inconvenient to carry it on my person I kept my account at the Pacific Bank, of which Governor Burnett was president. But I had watched the ascendant star of William C. Ralston as it put out of sight all the lesser luminaries. I had a young man’s admiration for his dash, energy and success and I was pleased when I received a letter from the gentleman, saying that he would like to see me, at my convenience, at the Bank of California. We met by appointment. I had known Mr. Ralston before in a purely casual way. This was the first time we had touched in business. He had a swift, offhand fashion of saying pleasant things--not flatteries, but things that put a man in good humor with himself; and thus he spoke to me of his desire to be abreast with the active men of the city, to be able to aid and co-operate with them. Then he had a word to say about my real estate ventures and in a very natural course led up to a general conversation on the subject.