I showed Mr.Morgan the message before sending it and he said: "Well, young man, if you succeed in that you deserve a red mark." When I entered the office next morning, I found on the desk that had been appropriated to my use in Mr.Morgan's private office the colored envelope which contained the answer.

There it was: "Board meeting last night; changes all approved." "Now, Mr.Morgan," I said, "we can proceed, assuming that the bond is as your lawyers desire." The papers were soon closed.
[Illustration: JUNIUS SPENCER MORGAN] While I was in the office Mr.Sampson, the financial editor of "The Times," came in.

I had an interview with him, well knowing that a few words from him would go far in lifting the price of the bonds on the Exchange.

American securities had recently been fiercely attacked, owing to the proceedings of Fisk and Gould in connection with the Erie Railway Company, and their control of the judges in New York, who seemed to do their bidding.

I knew this would be handed out as an objection, and therefore I met it at once.