Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/70

 various Wall street interests with whom Gould has been allied or at enmity, or both, during his long career in the street. That he has been able among all these financial giants to make himself the leader is the highest evidence that can be given of his genius in speculation and railroad financiering. As we read some of these names there arise before our eyes the visions of murder, of suicide, of bankruptcy, of the debtor's prison, of the felon's cell, of ruined fortunes and blasted reputations. Others of the men have achieved wealth and honorable names. It is interesting to note that at the time Gould first entered the street one of his fellow-boarders at the Everett House was James Gordon Bennett, the elder, with whose son and successor he became engaged in such bitter business and personal antagonisms.

Gould not only gambled in Wall street, but he defended the operation. "People," he told a State Senate Committee which was investigating into stock and grain corners, "will deal in chance. Your minister, doctor and barber all have the same interest in speculation. Would you not, if you stopped it, promote gambling?"

Jay Gould was twenty-three years old when he went into Wall street as a broker. In addition to whatever amount of money he had, he had the confidence of two or three large capitalists, which is the best capital of all for beginning a business of speculation. He started on his Wall street career in a small office and frequently took his stand with the