f society first-rate, as her neighbors who kept their doors
shut had to "consider" themselves such. It was only an assumption at
best. So the aspiring lady received what she called select company on a
Tuesday, and entertained generally on Thursday evenings. But her
neighbors tossed their heads, and said they were only third-rate people
who went there.

Gusher, however, flourished in what might at this day be considered
elegant hotel society. He was such a nice young man, dressed in such
good taste, and had such unexceptionable manners. And there was such a
distinguished air about Gusher, that Bowling Green was half inclined to
look on him with favor. Mr. Gusher was a stock beau as well as a stock
boarder at the City Hotel, where he was an object of admiration with all
the languishing young ladies of the house. Indeed, the landlord of the
City Hotel regarded Mr. Gusher as a valuable parlor ornament for the
entertainment of his female guests of an evening, for he was an
exquisite dancer, could sing, and make such gracious bows. Now and then
a sensible girl had been heard to say she thought him a little soft; but
her companions usually set that down to envy. Then it got whispered
about that he was an unfortunate foreigner of a very distinguished
family, and had been exiled from his native Spain for engaging in a
revolution. Such were the prospects of this distinguished firm, socially
and financially.

Nyack, too, had been kept in a state of agitation all winter over the
discovery of Kidd's treasure, and wonderful stories were circulated of
the fabulous amounts that were recovered every day.

Spring had come again, and the hills around Nyack looked so fresh, and
green, and beautiful. Chapman had got Kidd stock into high favor with
all the honest old Dutchmen in the county. And it was curious to see how
these heretofore cautious people parted with their money for what
Chapman called a "profitable equivalent."

Mrs. Chapman seemed to have increased in circumference and loftiness.
She could get new and expensive dresses, and silk ones at that, every
time she went to New York, and she went quite often now. And none of her
neighbors could wear such fine lace on their caps. It was surprising to
see how this fat, fussy woman could toss her head and talk of common
people now. It was very annoying, she said, to have to live in a little
country town like Nyack, and mix with everybody. Then her dear little
intellectually great Cha