Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-01-23
Nathan,Rothschild of London.


The high.priest of the Exchange was
not happy even in the midst OF his over
flowing Golfers. Naturally enough he
had few friends and numberless enemies.
In his later years he suffered from con-
stant dread of assassination. He was al
ways receiving threatening letters, de-
claring that bis life depended on his
sending certain sums of money to cer-
tain addresses. He scented murder in
every breeze, suspected poison in every
cup. In sleep he had nightmare visions
of crouching things; in waking hours,
he started at every unexpected noise.
One morning two strangers were an
nounced as having important business
with the banker, and they were shown
into his private office. He bowed to
them and inquired the nature of their
negotiation. - They bowed and said
nothing, but advanced toward him ),
thrusting their fingers nervously into
their pockets. Rothschild's alarm ;was
excited at once. They must be search
ing for concealed weapons; their beard
ed faces made it clear to his frightened
fancy that they we're homicidal ruffians
He retreated in terror behind large
desk, seized ponderous ledger, hurled
it at their heads, and screamed "Murderp
at the top of his voice. A small army
of clerks poured into the room, and
laid violent hands on the strangers, who
proved to be wealthy Polish bankers
bringing letters of introduction to the
physically timid) lion of loans. EN-
barrassed by his auriferously august
presence-what is there in a breathing
money-bag capable of inspiring awes--
they forgot their speech and their COM
mon coolness of conduct They were
nearly as much terrified as the renowned
Israelite; and as it was their initial Wis
it to England, they imagined at first
that all foreigners were deemed robbers
and desperadoes until the contrary was
established.
The wretchedly rich Nathan never
went out alone after dark, never entered
an unlighted room, had servants within
call of his bed chamber, slept with load
ed pistols under his pillow.
A fellow Frankforter, dined with him
and observing the luxury of his house
hold, remarked, " You must be very
happy, baron, with the power to graft
fly every wish"
Happy, indeedl" was the response.
Do you think it is happiness to be
haunted always by dread of murder
to have your appetite for breakfast
sharpened by threat to stab you to the
heart unless you inclose thousand
guineas to some unknown villain9
On one occasion when the great finan-
cier had been to an evening party, and
bad COTTON into his carriage to go
home, friend wishing to make an ap.
pointment stepped out to speak to him.
The timorous banker mistook his famil-
lar for a highwayman, and thrust a pis-
tol out of the carriage window, with his
favorite cry of Murderl" before he
could be made acquainted with the sit
uation.
As Rothschild grew richer and older
his fears increased He became almost
monomaniac on the subject of assassi-
nation, and many of his relatives thought
him in serious danger of insanity through
his constant apprehensions. Most of
the menacing messages were unquestion-
ably sent him by his enemies, with whom
be was plentifully supplied. Conscious
of his weakness they revenged themselves
upon him by inspiring him with baseless
terrors. He was repeatedly told SO. but
be could not be induced to believe that
he did not dwell in an atmosphere of
poisons, poniards and pistols.