,
Mollenhauer nor Simpson, who were the actual superiors of Stener and
Strobik, knew anything about it. Stener and those behind him were,
through him, acting for themselves. If the larger powers heard of this,
it might alienate them. He had to think of this. Still, if he refused
to make advantageous deals with Stener or any other man influential in
local affairs, he was cutting off his nose to spite his face, for other
bankers and brokers would, and gladly. And besides it was not at all
certain that Butler, Mollenhauer, and Simpson would ever hear.

In this connection, there was another line, which he rode on
occasionally, the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Street line, which he felt
was a much more interesting thing for him to think about, if he could
raise the money. It had been originally capitalized for five hundred
thousand dollars; but there had been a series of bonds to the value of
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars added for improvements, and the
company was finding great difficulty in meeting the interest. The bulk
of the stock was scattered about among small investors, and it would
require all of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to collect it and
have himself elected president or chairman of the board of directors.
Once in, however, he could vote this stock as he pleased, hypothecating
it meanwhile at his father's bank for as much as he could get, and
issuing more stocks with which to bribe legislators in the matter of
extending the line, and in taking up other opportunities to either
add to it by purchase or supplement it by working agreements. The
word "bribe" is used here in this matter-of-fact American way, because
bribery was what was in every one's mind in connection with the State
legislature. Terrence Relihan--the small, dark-faced Irishman, a
dandy in dress and manners--who represented the financial interests at
Harrisburg, and who had come to Cowperwood after the five million bond
deal had been printed, had told him that nothing could be done at the
capital without money, or its equivalent, negotiable securities. Each
significant legislator, if he yielded his vote or his influence, must be
looked after. If he, Cowperwood, had any scheme which he wanted handled
at any time, Relihan had intimated to him that he would be glad to talk
with him. Cowperwood had figured on this Seventeenth and Nineteenth
Street line scheme more than once, but he had never felt quite sure that
he was willing to undert