The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-10-09
A Russian Monte Cristo.

So many fortunes have been suddenly
made in Russian railways, it has be-
come the fashion for European gosslps
to invariably credit Russian millionaires
with thifty speculations in railway
enterprises. Under the circumstances, it
is not surprising that avaricious adven-
turers should besiege the monarchs OF
Western Europe and Asia to take "new
steps in the path of progress, as they
seductively put it. Baron Reuters ire
mendous scheme in Persia is only an
exaggerated type of the whole brood of
railway speculatiOns in Russia and ad-
iacent countries. In an autocratic gov
eminent it is easier to pay contractor
with concessions" than in any other
way. Besides ready cash and subsidies,
the lucky railway builder secures con-
cessions and monopolies that are mines
of wealth. A long line of road is sub
divided into sections that carry with
them exclusive privilege In salt or coal,
mining, fishing, grain-raising, or vend-
ing of certain necessary articles of pop
ular demand. The royalty secured,
and the sub-lettiLg of the contract duly
made, the fortunate possessor of these
magnificent monopolies HES him away
to Paris, or the shore of the Mediter-
ranean, and lives in more than royal
ease. Some of these magnates have
been overtaken by calamities, it is true;
an imperial edict has, for mysterious
reasons, cut off their incomes untimely,
and one or two hapless persons have
been snatched from the lap of luxury,
to be sent to the bitter exile of Siberia.
But, for the most part, the happy rail-
road. builders realize in their lavishness
the fascinating story of the Count of
Monte Cristo.
One of these baronial spectators,
who is said to have sumptuOus palaces
in Paris, Vienna, and Nice, lately burst
upon the simple inhabitants of Tessin,
a Swiss canton, with all his magnifi-
ceDce. Passing day of langTlid e1a1aui
at Lugano, he became interested in the
scenery. Nay, more interest deepened
into enthusiasm, and with the prompt
ness of a millionaire, he resolved to
build chateau then and there. This
palace of Aladdin is now rising on the
ground where M. lie Baron struck his
gold-headed cane. The building is to
cost 100000 francs, the decorations
and furniture 5000, 900 each, and bri-
gade of his personal following will be
detached by the baron from his other
palaces to this. It is gravely said that
Crpsus has in his train thirty Russian
servants, sixty musicians, sixteen Russian
and Swedish singers, and an army of
cooks, confectioners, and caterers. A
ce ebrated prima donna is occasionally
engaged to sing for his special pleasure,
and his orchestra is obliged to give
daily concert whether he be present or
absent. The income of this child of
fortune is estimated at Is 100000 francs.
No wonder he can build palaces like
Aladdin and entertain his guests as roy
ally as the Count of Monte Cristo.
When people are told thatriches donot
necessarily bring happiness, they usual
~ say that they would like to try it for
a while. It is hard to understand why
the possessor of untold wealth should
not DO satisfied with life and ali that
gold can bring. The gorgeous fiction
of Alexander Dumas has made many a
man discontinued with his barren lot.
To the average mind it seems discourage
ing that there should be so wide diff
ference between the golden millionaire
of the Russian railway and the frugal
citizen who must think twice before he
spends his slender wage. Perhaps there
is not so much difference after all. M.
lie Baron, of Tessin, finds himself obliged
to change all his personal acquaint-
ances, his residence and surroundings,
once in two years. He completely
ignores his own relatives. He is bored
by incessant desigls s, real or fancied,
upon him and his money. The re-
sources of the world are exhausted to
minister to his fancies, tastes, senses,
and appetites. Nevertheless, it is quite
likely that he murmurs the familiar re-
frain, "and still I am not happy"
Possibly the frugal citizen may think it
no explanation of the present disparity
in income of which he makes complaint,
but he may say trItely and truly of NJ.
lie Baron that he brought nothing into
this world and he will certainly carry
nothing out of it.