Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-03-07

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 numbcricss enc
mics. In his later years he suffered
from constant dread OF assassination.
He was always receiving threatening
letters, declaring that his life depended
on his sending certain sums money to
certain addresses. He scented murder
in every pertci poison in
every cup. In sleep, H. had nightmare
visions Of croUchiug things IN waking
hours, he started 1t! 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 advnced toward him,
thrusting their fingers nervously into
their pockets. Rothschiids alarm w@s
excited a. once. They must be searcG-
ing for concealed weapons their beard
ed faces made it clear to his excited
fancy that they were homicldal rnilinns.
He retrrntcd in terror behind large
desk, seized a ponderous ledger, hurled
it mt their heads. and screamed " Muir
der - at the top Of his voice. y 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 auriterously august
! -h,t IN, t,It n
money-bag capable of Inspiring ave.
| they forgot their speech and their COM
mon coolness of conduct. They We're
nearly as much terrified us the re
nowned Israellte and as it was their
initial visit to England, they imagined
at first that all foreigners were deemed
robbers and dcsperadoes until the con
trary 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, and slept with
loaded pistols under his pillow.
A fellow Frankforter, dining with
him one evening, and observing the
luxury of his household, remarked,
"Iou must be happy, baron, with the
power to crafty every wish.
"Happy, indeed y was The response.
DO You think it happiness to hc
haunted always by dread of murder
to have your appetite for breakfast
sharpened by threat to stab you to
the heart unless you enclose Il thou
sand 2uineas to some unknown vii
lain ?"
On one occasion, When the great
tinancier bad been to an evening party,
and had gotten into his carriage to 60
home, p friend wishing to mike an APP
pointmcnt, stepped ont to speak
to him. The timorouS banker mistook
his familiar friend for 4 highwayman,
| and thrust pistol ont Of the carriage
window. with his favorite cry of "Mur-
der = before he could be acquainted
with the situation.
As Rothschild grew richer and older
his fears increased, He became almost
IA monomaniac on the subject OF assas-
slnation, and many of ms relatives
thought him i'll serious danger of in
sanity through his constant uppreheu-
sions. Most OF the men0cing messages
were unQuestionably sent him by his
enemies, with whom he was plcutifully
supplied. Conscious of his weakness,
they rcvengcI themselves upon him 10y
inspiring him with basclcss terI"rs. lie
was L, pcatcdly told SO, but he could moi
be induced to believe that he did not
dwell i'll an atmosphere OF poisons, pom.
iards and pistols.-ii"tprr'$ .uoyNsi9e.