Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-02
EVENING STAR.
ANECDorK OF THE RoTHscHILps

Burkhardt, in his clever sketches of the
Money Kings, thus gives the chief step in the
rise of that now historical family 1t is very
striking illustration of Honesty is the best
policy
The season was September, 1893. The Land
grave of Hesse. .Cassel saw tho French rcveiu-
tiOnary banners approaching his dominions
and waving at his very frontiers. Hastily he
packed up his jewels and valuables, together
with between two and three millions Of tha-
lers, and took the way to the ancient city Of
Frankfort, hoping there to find means Of pIa.
cling his wealth and the jewels of his house in
security.
Arrived at the city which had for centuries
sent forth the rulers Of the holy Roman En-
Pirc," the fugitive Lsndgrave knocked at the
door OF an humble Jewish bnaker, Meyer
Rothschild, richer in children than in thalers,
but withal distinguished and experienced
archeologist and numismatologist.
The sovereign, who himself was an expert
in these sciences, paid much respect to the
knowledge of the Jew banker, and had ac-
tually few years before bestowed upon him
the distinction Of the title of Medailleur to
his Court"
"Meyer," he began, as he hsnded him bis
we'll filled case, /" know You to honest and
conscientious Here is all possess; take il,
and return it to me when this tempest shall
have blown over, and whom better times dawn
upon u.s."
''Such vast confidence does me great hon
= replied the Hebrew, but your Highness
llust not forget that the republican army is
almost before our doors"
We are in the hands Of Providence" re
llied the Landgrave. 60 ask you for no re-
ceipt y
The Prince re-entered his vehicle and hur-
ried of, without listening to the renewed pro
testations of the man of business
What Meyer ROthschild had anticipated,
duly came to pass Before week was over,
Frankfort was in the possession of the French
troops, and the banker who had been de.
bounced as an anti reVolutiOnist, and an ally
ct the tyrants, found his domicile sacked, and
his cash box plundered in the name Of liberty
and the people.
No sooner, however, had the victors left
Frankfort, that Meyer ROthschild reop.ned
his banking house, finding at first credit
among the jews, and ultimately with all the
business world, and soon was reputed richer
than ever. In 1902 he was once more con-
Sidered as one Of the most reliable bankers in
Germany.
About this time there came a short period
Of rest for the crowned heads Of Germany.
The Princes Of the Rhenish Confederacy rest
ed under the high and forced protection of
Napoleon. Raised by the will Of the great
commander to the dignity of an Elector of the
German Empire, the Landgrave of Hesse re-
ceived permission to return to his dominions
On his way he passed through Frankfort. The
journals had before informed him Of the plum
dering of ROthschid's house, and he natural
ly believed his own wealth long since a prey
to the Jacobias. Still he determined to visit
mis- numismatic friend, if only to assure him of
the continuance of his confidence
"Good morrow, Meyer" said the Elector
with frank and hearty shake of hands " At
last We have peace, old friend, bat it costs US
dear enough Before you stands 4 ruined man;
IS poor as Job. y
What! you poor, your Highness'''
Certainly, for have not these confounded
sans culOttes stolen my wealth along with
yours? If L do not now too much irtconye-
nlence you, l should like to borrow a small
advance upon the indemnity which shall re-
ceive in Hesse Cassel''
An advance is not needed, your High.
ness, for all that you confded to my care is
safe and untouched"
What exclaimed the Prince, "and
were you not plundered, then %
The French have taken everything had,
and was very careful not TO excite them by
resistance; otherwise they would have arch
ed more thoroughly and might have found
your diamonds and money where it was hid
den in my cellar"
"How! is it possible?''
." Yes, my sure nder was a stratagem.. They
never found what had hidden. For the last
nine years, in order to indemnify myself for
the moneys | had lost, / have taken the lib
erty of using some of yours. All my enter
prises have proved successful, and without
embarrassing myself in the least, L can now
return you the entire sum with FIVE per cent.
interest"
The Prince was deeply moved
Meyer, he said, "yeu are the most hon.
orable Jew have ever heard Of. Keep nv
money, and continue to operate with it. From
to-day for two years, L want no return of it,
and only two per cent. interest -
And thus Rothschild became millionaire