When the World Shook | Page 7

quote names and to give the
example of the very powerful journal which at first carped at my work
and then gushed over it when it became the fashion. All of this made
me many bitter enemies, as I found out when my next book appeared.
It was torn to shreds, it was reviled as subversive of morality and
religion, good arrows in those days. It was called puerile, half-educated
stuff--I half-educated! More, an utterly false charge of plagiarism was
cooked up against me and so well and venomously run that vast
numbers of people concluded that I was a thief of the lowest order.
Lastly, my father, from whom the secret could no longer be kept,
sternly disapproved of both these books which I admit were written
from a very radical and somewhat anti-church point of view. The result
was our first quarrel and before it was made up, he died suddenly.
Now again fastidiousness and my lack of perseverance did their work,
and solemnly I swore that I would never write another book, an oath
which I have kept till this moment, at least so far as publication is
concerned, and now break only because I consider it my duty so to do
and am not animated by any pecuniary object.
Thus came to an end my second attempt at carving out a career. By
now I had grown savage and cynical, rather revengeful also, I fear.
Knowing myself to possess considerable abilities in sundry directions, I
sat down, as it were, to think things over and digest my past
experiences. Then it was that the truth of a very ancient adage struck
upon my mind, namely, that money is power. Had I sufficient money I
could laugh at unjust critics for example; indeed they or their papers
would scarcely dare to criticise me for fear lest it should be in my
power to do them a bad turn. Again I could follow my own ideas in life
and perhaps work good in the world, and live in such surroundings as
commended themselves to me. It was as clear as daylight, but--how to
make the money?

I had some capital as the result of my father's death, about œ8,000 in all,
plus a little more that my two books had brought in. In what way could
I employ it to the best advantage? I remembered that a cousin of my
father and therefore my own, was a successful stock-broker, also that
there had been some affection between them. I went to him, he was a
good, easy-natured man who was frankly glad to see me, and offered to
put œ5,000 into his business, for I was not minded to risk every thing I
had, if he would give me a share in the profits. He laughed heartily at
my audacity.
"Why, my boy," he said, "being totally inexperienced at this game, you
might lose us more than that in a month. But I like your courage, I like
your courage, and the truth is that I do want help. I will think it over
and write to you."
He thought it over and in the end offered to try me for a year at a fixed
salary with a promise of some kind of a partnership if I suited him.
Meanwhile my œ5,000 remained in my pocket.
I accepted, not without reluctance since with the impatience of youth I
wanted everything at once. I worked hard in that office and soon
mastered the business, for my knowledge of figures--I had taken a
first-class mathematical degree at college--came to my aid, as in a way
did my acquaintance with Law and Literature. Moreover I had a certain
aptitude for what is called high finance. Further, Fortune, as usual,
showed me a favourable face.
In one year I got the partnership with a small share in the large profits
of the business. In two the partner above me retired, and I took his
place with a third share of the firm. In three my cousin, satisfied that it
was in able hands, began to cease his attendance at the office and
betook himself to gardening which was his hobby. In four I paid him
out altogether, although to do this I had to borrow money on our credit,
for by agreement the title of the firm was continued. Then came that
extraordinary time of boom which many will remember to their cost. I
made a bold stroke and won. On a certain Saturday when the books
were made up, I found that after discharging all liabilities, I should not
be worth more than œ20,000. On the following Saturday but two when

the books were made up, I was worth œ153,000! L'appetit vient en
mangeant. It seemed nothing to me when so many