Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-03-21
A, A,PRoFITABLF WALK.

--- 81 A PROFITABLE WALK.
Baron Rothschild sat in his Office count
ing his gains and calculating the risks of
sundry loans which had been offered him,
when a spruce, handsome young man en-.
tered and requested the loan of two thou
sand pounds. What is the security 2"
said the Baron, without looking up
-My note !" was the reply. The great
money-lender turned and surveyed his
applicant, scrutinizing him from head to
foot There must have been something
honest in the young mans face, for the
Baron was evidently pleased with the re-
suit of his scrutiny. Would two thou
sand be sufficient, young gentleman"
said he, " can let you have ten as well
as two?" Two will answer my pur-
poses now" said the would>be borrower,
I" though could OF course use ten thou
sand" "I do not say that will lend
it, said the Baron. :" but l can put you
in the way of getting it, and even ten
times that amount. il you know how to
take advantage of your opportunities"
The young man trembled, surprised at
the unusual complaisance of man who
in money matters had the reputation of
being so very severe. He feared that he
was about TO propose some doubtful o ooera-
Iion, and, lie stammered: " Any houora.
ble proposilion.'' Il would make no
other" said the Baron with dignity
Come, we'll take walk upon the
street," Instead of offering his arm to
his new acquaintance, Le took his, and
thus they promenaded Lombard street.
The Baron learned the name and busi-
ness of his companion. and the object for
which he wished the money: Hundreds
OF people met them. aud bowing to the
great money king. turned as they passed
TO look at and wonder who could be his
companion. Some Of the richer and more
influential denizers Of that moneyed street
stopped to chat with him, and to these
the Baron introduced his young friend.
with the remark, that any favor they
could do for him, would be considered as
a personal favor TO himself
Many Of these men whose wealth and
influence were SO great, that their very
name commanded the involuntary respect
of our young friend, He saw the advan-
tsge at once. Arriving at the end Of the
street, the Baron affectionately took leave
of him saying. that If he did not obtain
the money elsewhere he might come in
the afternoon and with knowing wink
he got into his carriage and drove Off
Our young friend turned to walk back on
Lombard street. He met one of the men,
q very Croesus, to whom he had been in
troduced by the Baron. This person. de-
sirous of cultivating an acquaintance,
which had such an auspiciOus introduction,
held him in conversation, in the course of
which our friend promptly asked the loan
of $4,000. The rich man could not re-
fuse-the applicant has been introduced
by Rothschild : nay, had been as good as
endorsed by him !; and then the sum would
be doing favor to the great man. The
notes were counted out, and the young
mans note taken in exchange. The lem
der looked at the signer. True, he had
never heard the name on Change. but
never mind Rothschid would not have
walked arm and arm with him, and intro
duced him as he did, if he had not been
perfectly good. So, with many assuran-
ces of distinguished regard, the two part
ed. A few steps further tho young ad-
venturer met another of his new acquain-
tances. and while halting with him, he
carelessly displayed the bank notes he
had just received, and observing that he
had large amount to make up for IL Ger
tain great operation. and not wishing for
. private reasons. to apply to his good
friend, the Baron. he would feel obliged
II his new friend coul1 lend him E5O, 600.
The latter actuated by similar motives
ms the other money lender, counted out
the desired amount, and took o note with
the unknown name in exchange. And
SO the young man went TO borrowing from
each OF his friends until he had aceumu-
lated hundred thousand pounds. All
this he deposited with Rothschild, reserv.
ing only the $4,000 which lie had origi.
nally desired The next day there was a
great futter among the rich men ON
Change. and many were the coniecturcs
they made as they compared notes."
about the baron's friend. Time flew or.
40 one had seen the unknown money
borrower, and some of the lenders benan
to think they had been victimized. The
baron was mute to all their inquiries, and
they knew not what to think.
When just before the time for nav.
ment arrived. each one received note
from tue strange acquaintance, 10 the ef.
tect. that II they would present their notes
at the banking house Of Rothschild. thew
would m De paid. One who held note for
10000 went there out Of curiosity. as
he said ; when 10 it was cashed. The
news went like wild fire. All came with
'ne'r notes. and all as soon as presented
ese paid and upon this affair Mr.. Coutts
established credit. which enabled him
SION alter to establish the banking house
OF Coutts d Co uhoso ...I;. -. e ~ S