which gives the following incidents: "In 1878 operators on the Board of Trade, large and small, thought it a good year to sell pork. Other packing houses joined with the crowd against Mr. Armour, who was forced to support the market, for many months at a great loss. It cost him more than a million dollars, but he foresaw that the tide must change, and in 1879 the tide did change, and he recovered his losses with an added profit of many million dollars. He has conducted several operations in wheat with great success, and is a bold and daring speculator of great foresight." Despite the envy created by this man's great wealth, which is estimated at from twenty-five millions to fifty millions of dollars, his power has made him a prisoner, by crowding out every other faculty. Reading wearies him; and to think abstract thoughts, is almost beyond his comprehension. Religion, to him, means sixteen ounces to the pound, and charity, the giving of a few dollars. As he paces up and down the corridor of the "Armour Mission," Sunday afternoons, he seems not to hear the bible lesson which is repeated, in clear tones to the little ones, about the dangers or perils of the rich man. His interest is in the material part of the work of the mission, which is never neglected, but bears the mark of prosperity. Those who have noted the gradual development of Humanity, may perceive an interesting Specimen in every organization that has developed powerful qualities which move the world and help on progress. But, at the same time, they will agree with that great American philosopher, who, after keen observation and deep reflection, said: "Very few of our race can be said to be yet finished men. We still carry sticking to us some remains of the preceding inferior quadruped organization. We call these millions men; but they are not yet men. Half engaged in the soil, pawing to get free, man needs all the music that can be brought to disengage him. If Trade with its money; if Art with its port-folios; if Science with her telegraphs through the deeps of space and time, can set his dull nerves throbbing, and by loud taps on the tough chrysalis, can break its walls, and let the new creature emerge erect and free,—make way, and sing |