Thomas Nast, who was turning out a new anti-[Boss Tweed] Ring cartoon almost every week, was getting some odd attention. He was told that a group of wealthy gentlemen wanted to send him abroad to study under European masters, but he declined the offer. Soon he was visited in his home by an officer of the Broadway Bank, the institution in which the Ring kept its funds. The banker told Nast that the wealthy men were prepared to pay him $ 100,000 if he would go. Tantalized, Nast asked half-humorously if the fee could be raised to $ 200,000. Yes, came the reply, and the banker added, "You need study and you need rest. Besides, this Ring business will get you into trouble. They own all the judges and jurors and can get you locked up for libel. My advice is to take the money and get away."

This was getting to be amusing, and so Nast asked, "Don't you think I could get five hundred thousand dollars to make that trip?" Without hesitating his visitor agreed, saying, "You can get five hundred thousand dollars in gold to drop this Ring business and get out of the country."

"Well, I don't think I'll do it," Nast stated. "I made up my mind long ago to put some of those fellows behind the bars, and I'm going to put them there." The banker got up to go, but then remarked, "Only be careful, Mr. Nast, that you do not first put yourself into a coffin."

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