Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-01-09
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 later years he suffered in constant
dread of assassination. He was always
receiving threatening letters, declaring
that his life depended on his sending
certain sums of money to certain adj
dresses. He scented murder in every
breeze, suspected poison in every cup.
In sleep, h. had nightmare visions of
crouching things; in waking hours, ne
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 moth
ing, but advanced toward him, thrustin G
their fingers nervously into their pockets.
Rothschild's alarm was excited at once.
They must be searching for concealed
weapons; their bearded faces made it
clear to his frightened fancy that they
were homicidal ruffians. He retreated in
terror behind large desk, seized pom
derous 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 intro
duction to the physically timid) lion of
loans. Embarrassed by his auriferously
august presehce-what is there in a
breathing money-bag capable of inspir-
ing awe ?-they forgot their speech and
their common GOODNESS of conduct. They
were nearly as much terrified as the re-
nowned Israelite; and, as it was their mi
tial visit to England, they imagined at
first that all foreigners were deemed rob-
bers and desperadoes until the con-
trary was established.
The wretchedly- Nathan never went
out alone after dark, never entered an un-
lighted room, had servants within call of
his bed-chamber, slept with loaded pis-
tolls under his pillow.
A -Frankforter, dining with him
one evening, and observing the luxury
of his household, remarked: "You must
be happy, Baron, with the power to graf.
ify every wish.'
Happy, indeed!" was the response
"Do you think it happiness to be haunted
always with the 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 villain?"
On one occasion, when the great finan
| cier had been to an evening party, and
had gotten into his carriage to 60 home,
a friend, wishing to make an appoint
ment, stepped out to speak to him. The
| timorous banker mistook his familiar
| for highwayman, and thrust pistol
out of the carriage window, with his ia
vorite cry of Murder!" before he could
be acquainted with the situation.
| AS Rothschild grew richer and Older
his fears increased. He became almost 6
monomaniac on the subject of assassina
ton, and many of his relatives thought
him in serious danger of insanity through
his constant apprehensions. Most of thu
menaciLg messages were unquestionably
sent by his enemies with whom he was
plentifully supplied. Conscious Of his
weakness, they revenged themselves upor