The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-10-16
A Russian Monte Cristo.


- many fortunes have been suddenly
made In Russian railways, II has become
the fashion for European gossips 10 lava
riaby credit Russian millinnaircs with
thrifty spcculations In railway enterprises.
Under the circumstances. il l. not surpris-
ing that ayarici0us Adventures should be-
siege the monarchs Of Western Europe
and Asia 10 take ''ncw steps in the path of
progress" a. they seductiyely put IL.
Baron Reuters tremendous scheme In
Persia is only AN exaggerated type of the
whole brood of railway spcculations I'm
Russia and adjacent countries. In an au-
tocratic government. il is easier to nay a
contractor with concessions than in any
other way. Besides ready cash and sub
-idics. the lucky railway builder secures
concessions aud monopolies that are mines
OF wealth. 4 long line of road Is subdi-
yiolcd into sections that carry with them
exclusive privileges IN salt or coal, mining,
fishing. grain-Tai~ing. or vending of GER
tain necessary articles of popular demand.
The ROYALTY secured. and the sub-letting
of the contract duly made. the fortunate
possesSor of these magnificent monopolies
hies him away 10 Paris or the shores of
the Mediterranean and lives IN more than
royal ease. Some of these magnstes have
been oyertaken by calamity, II i true; an
imperial edict has. for mysterious reasons.
cut of their incomes untimely. and one or
two hapless persons have been snatched
from the lap of luxury to he sent 10 the
bitter exile OF Siberia. But. for the most
part. the happy railroad builders realize in
their layishnes> the fascinating story OF the
Count of Monte Cristo.
One of these baronial spectators, who
is said 10 have sunptuous palaces in Paris.
Vienna. and Nice, lately burst upon the
simple inhabitants OF Tes-in. "A Swiss can
ton, with all his magnificence. Passing
day of langud ennri at Lugano. be became
interested In the scenery. Nay. more in
terest deepened into enthusiasm. and. with
the promptness of millionaire. he re-
solved 10 build chateau then and
there. This palace OF Aladdin Is
now rising on the ground where
VI. le Baron struck his gold-headed
cane. The building is 10 cost 5000
600 francs the decoration and the furnl-
ture S.O000O0 each. and brigade of his
personal following will be detached by the
Baron from his other palaces 10 this. II l.
gravely said that thi- Crm-u- has In his train
thirty Russian servants. sixty musicians.
sixteen Russian and swedish singers. anu
an army of cooks. coniectioners. and cater
ers. A celebrated prima donna j. occa-
sionally engaged to sing for his special
pleasure. and his orchestra j. Obliged To
rive a daily concert whether he be- present
or absent. The income ofthis child offo
tune Is estimated al 100000 francs. No
wonder he can build palaces like Aladdin
and entertain his guests a royalty as the
Count OF Monte Cristo.
When people are told that riches do not
necessarily bring happiness. they usually
say that they would like 10 try II for
while. Ii j. hard 10 understand why the
possessor OF untold wealth should not 10
satisfied with life and all that gold can
bring. The gorgeous fiction of Alexander
Dumas has made many man discomfort
ed with his barren lot. To the average
mind il seems di-couraging that there
should BE- 20 wide difference. between the
golden millionaire ~ the Russian railway
and the frugal citizen who must think
twice before he spends his slender wage.
Perhaps there j. not so much difference AZ
ter ALL NJ le Baron. OF iesSin. find~ him
self Obliged 10 change all his personal ac-
quantance. his residence and surround
ings. once in two years. He completely
ignores his own relatives. He j. bored by
incessant designs. real or fancied. upon
him and his money. Tho resources OF the
world are exhausted TO minister 10 his
lAttf-. id-lt.-. ~tIl-f-~. anu aiti"-utt~. wv
ertheless. II i quite likely h. murmur- the
familiar refrain. And still | am not hap
py." Possibly the frugal citizen may
think il no explanation OF the present dis
parity in income of which he makes com
plant. but he NAV say tritely and tr-ly OF
NJ le Baron that he brought nothing into
this world and he will certainly carry
nothing out OF it.--Neic York Times.