American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-01-10
Nathan R0thschild, 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 YeaEs--4se 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, he
started at every unexpected noise.
One morning two strangers were an
nounced as having important business
with the banker, and they We're 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, thrusting
their fingers nervouslv 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 rutfians- He retreated in
terror behind large desk, seized a pom
derous ledger, hurled it at their heads,
and screamed "murder'' at the top of his
voice. n 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 timidl lion OF
loans. Embarrassed by his auriierously
august presence-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-ti ch Nathan never went
out alone after dark, never entered an I'M
lighted room, had servants within call of
his bed-chamber, slept with loaded PTS
tolls under his pillow.
A fellowFrankforter, 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, indeedI' 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 |
a 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 go 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 a pistol |
out of the carriage window, with his IA |
vorite cry of "Murderi" before he could |
be acquainted with the situation.
As Rothschild grew richer and older |
his fears increased. He became almost a
on the subject of assassina-
ton, and many of his relatives thought
him in serious danger of insanity through
his constant apprehensions. Most of the
messages were unquestionably |
sent by his enemies with whom he was
plentiiully supplied. Conscious of his
they revenged themselves upon
him by inspiring him with baseless ter
rors. He was repeatedly told SO, but he
could not be induced to believe that he
did not dwell in an atmosphere of pois-
ons, poniards and pistols.-Narper's
fffDy-jgs