The Harris-Ingram Experiment | Page 5

he would have fallen from his chair to the
floor. Colonel Harris gave him a piece of silver, and retired for the
night.
CHAPTER II
HUGH SEARLES OF LONDON ARRIVES
The next day was Sunday, and the Harris family slept late. Jean was
first to rise, and buying the morning papers left them at Colonel
Harris's door.
It was almost nine o'clock when the family gathered in their private

dining-room. The night's sleep had refreshed all. The mother was very
cheerful over her coffee, and heartily enjoyed planning for the day. She
liked New York best of the American cities. Brown stone and marble
fronts, fine equipage and dress, had charms for her, that almost made
her forget a pleasant home and duties at Harrisville. She was heart and
soul in her husband's newest scheme to close out business, and devote
the balance of life to politics and society. Naturally therefore the
table-talk drifted to a discussion of the possible causes of the steamer's
delay.
Lucille looked up, and said, "Father, the Tribune says, 'Fair weather for
New England and the Atlantic coast.' Cheer up! The 'Majestic' will
bring your Englishman in, I think. This is a lovely day to be in the
metropolis. Come father, let me sweeten your coffee. One or two
lumps?"
"Two, my dear, if you please. Now what will give you all the most
pleasure to-day?"
Alfonso answered, "Why not take a drive, and possibly attend some
church?"
This plan was approved. Breakfast over, the Harris family entered a
carriage, and the coachman, with Jean by his side, drove through
Washington Square, under the American Arch of Triumph, and out
Fifth Avenue, the fashionable street of New York. Alfonso acted as
guide. "This white sepulchral looking building on the left at the corner
of 34th street is where A.T. Stewart, the Irish merchant prince, lived."
Gertrude remarked, "How true in his case, the proverb 'Riches certainly
make themselves wings; they fly away, as an eagle towards heaven.'"
"You should quote Scripture correctly, my child," said the mother.
"'Riches take wings.'"
"No, no, mamma--I am sure that I am right. 'Riches make themselves
wings' and the proverb is as true to-day as in Solomon's time."

"Well, Gertrude, we will look at the hotel Bible on our return."
"Yes, mamma, if the hotel has one."
Colonel Harris responded, "I think Gertrude is right. Stewart's millions
have changed hands. Dead men have no need of dollars. No wonder
Stewart's bones were restless."
"Here at West 39th Street is the sumptuous building of the Union
League Club. It has over 1500 members, all pledged to absolute loyalty
to the Government of the United States, to resist every attempt against
the integrity of the nation, and to promote reform in national, state, and
municipal affairs. The club equipped and sent two full regiments to the
front in the Civil War."
Alfonso pointed out Jay Gould's old residence, more club houses,
libraries, the Windsor Hotel, Dr. Hall's handsome Presbyterian Church,
and the brown stone and marble palaces of the Vanderbilt family, two
miles of splendid residences and magnificent churches before you reach
Central Park at 59th Street.
The walks were thronged with beautiful women and well dressed men.
It was now 10:30 o'clock. The chimes had ceased their hallowed music.
People of all nationalities were jostling each other in their haste to enter
St. Patrick's Cathedral, a copy of the Gothic masterpiece in Cologne,
and the most imposing church building in America.
The Harris carriage stopped; Lucille's heart suddenly began to beat
quickly, for she saw Leo Colonna hastening from the Cathedral steps
towards the carriage. "Good morning, Mrs. Harris! Glad you have
come to my church," Leo said; then taking her hand cordially, he added,
"And you have brought the family. Well, I am pleased, for you could
not have come to a more beautiful church or service."
As Leo conducted his friends up the granite steps, all were enthusiastic
in their praise of the Fifth Avenue façade; white marble from granite
base to the topmost stones of the graceful twin spires.

All passed under the twelve apostles, that decorate the grand portal, and
entered the cathedral. The interior is as fine as the exterior. The
columns are massive, the ceiling groined; the style is the decorated or
geometric architecture, that prevailed in Europe in the thirteenth
century. The cardinal's gothic throne is on the right. The four altars are
of carved French walnut, Tennessee marble and bronze. Half of the
seventy windows are memorials, given by parishes and individuals in
various parts of America. The vicar-general was conducting services.
His impressive manner, aided by the sweet tones of singers and organ,
and the sun's rays changed to rainbows by the stained-glass windows,
produced a deep religious feeling in the hearts of the