't a fortune, but it proved the basis of one. It
enabled me to float the Excelsior Mine. I remember there were a
hundred thousand shares at two dollars a share, all based upon a few
acres of mining land which I bought for a song. With the ten thousand
dollars, I hired an office, printed circulars, distributed glowing
accounts of imaginary wealth, etc. It cost considerable for
advertising, but I sold seventy thousand shares, and when I had
gathered in the money I let the bottom fall out. There was a great
fuss, of course, but I figured as the largest loser, being the owner
of thirty thousand shares (for which I hadn't paid a cent), and so
shared the sympathy extended to losers. It was a nice scheme, and
after deducting all expenses, I made a clean seventy-five thousand
dollars out of it, which, added to my original capital, made
eighty-five thousand. Then I came to Milwaukee and bought this house.
From that time my career has been upward and onward. My friends say
some day I shall be mayor of the city. Well, stranger things have
happened, and who knows but my friends may be right!"

At this moment a servant entered the library.

"Well, Mary, what is it?" asked the philanthropist.

"Please, sir, there's a poor woman at the door, and she would like to
see you."

"Ah, yes, she wants relief from the Widows' and Orphans' Society,
probably. Well, send her up. I am always at home to the poor."

"What a good man he is!" thought Mary. "It's strange he gives such low
wages to the girls that work for him. He says it's because he gives
away so much money in charities."

Mary ushered in, a moment later, a woman in a faded dress, with a look
of care and sorrow on her thin features.

"Take a seat, madam," said Thomas Browning, urbanely. "Did you wish to
see me?"

"Yes, sir. I am in difficulties, and have ventured to call upon you."

"I am glad to see you. I am always ready to see the unfortunate."

"Yes, sir; I know you have the reputation of being a philanthropist.

"No, no," said Mr. Browning, modestly. "Don't mention it. I am fully
aware of the flattering estimation which is placed on my poor
services, but I really don't deserve it. It is, perhaps, as the
President of the Widows' and Orphans' Charitable Society that you wish
to speak to me."

"No, sir. It is as President of the Excelsior Mining Company that I
wish to make an appeal to you."

"Oh!" ejaculated Browning, with a perceptible change of countenance.

"Of