urate financier, and an economical
householder. We just now need for the administration of our city
household a mayor that understands reckoning closely, and that will
curtail unnecessary expenses, so as to do away with the yearly
increasing deficit in the budget. Moreover, Mr. Shund is a noble
character; for he is always ready to aid those who are in want of
money--on interest, of course. Then, again, he knows law, and we very
much want a lawyer at the head of our city government. In short, the
interests of this corporation require that Mr. Shund be chosen chief
magistrate. It is a subject of wonder to me that progress, usually so
clear-sighted, has heretofore passed Mr. Shund by, despite his numerous
qualifications. Abilities should be called into requisition for the
public weal. To be candid, Mr. Schwefel, nothing disgusts me so much as
the slighting of great ability," concluded the banker contemptuously.

"Are you acquainted with Shund's past career?" asked the leader
diffidently.

"Why, yes! Mr. Shund once put his hand in the wrong drawer, but that
was a long time ago. Whosoever amongst you is innocent, let him cast
the first stone at him. Besides, Shund has made good his fault by
restoring what he filched. He has even atoned for the momentary
weakness by five years of imprisonment."

"'Tis true; but Shund's theft and imprisonment are still very fresh in
people's memory," said Schwefel. "Shund is notorious, moreover, as a
hard-hearted usurer. He has gotten rich through shrewd money
speculations, but he has also brought several families to utter ruin.
The indignation of the whole city is excited against the usurer; and,
finally, Shund indulges a certain filthy passion with such effrontery
and barefacedness that every respectable female cannot but blush at
being near him. These characteristics were unknown to you, Mr.
Greifmann; for you too will not hesitate an instant to admit that a man
of such low practices must never fill a public office."

"I do not understand you, and I am surprised!" said the millionaire.
"You call Shund a usurer, and you say that the indignation of the whole
town is upon him. Might I request from you the definition of a usurer?"

"They are commonly called usurers who put out money at exorbitant,
illegal interest."

"You forget, my dear Mr. Schwefel, that speculation is no longer
confined to the five per cent. rate. A correct insight into the
circumstances of the times has induced our l