The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-04-27
A Morning with the ROthschilds.
BY JOHN JONES.


the Rothschilds were building, and l
went out on this particular morning for
the purpose of seeing it. l soon reached
it, and, through the kindness OF the mas
ter builder, was shown all over it. l had
finished my inspection, and was standing
on the sidewalk, gazing at it with undis-
guised admiration, when l noticed gen
tleman, few feet from me, watching me
as intently as was watching the build
ing. He was fat, portly old fellow,
with good-humored face, in spite Of his
naughty look, and l thought, from his
appearance, he might be the contractor
for the work, and determined to accost
him and gain what information l could.
"Good- morning, SIR" l said, approach
ing him. He bowed politely, but with
out speaking.
81 am stranger here, sir" went on.
"You are from America" he said,
smiling.
"Inieed l am" replied, "and Pm
proud of it, assure you. l have been
looking over this building, and would
like to ask you for some information con-
corning it,"
81 shall be happy to oblige you," he
said, politely. He was very kind in tell
ing me much that was Of interest. At
last said abruptly:
81 suppose you have seen Rothschild,
sir9"
(which one9"
"The old cock"
81 see the old cock every day." he re-
piled, dryly, giving me strange glance.
"By George! l should like to have
look at him. went on. "People say
he's gay old chap, and lives high. |
wish l had him in my power. I'd not let
him get awayuntil he had shelled out
pile of his money"
The old gentleman burst into laugh.
'Baron Rothschild had to work for his
money, and deserves to enjoy it," he said
at length, when he had got over his mer-
riment.
"Maybe So" remarked; "but reckon
he did a heap of gouging and squeezing
to get it,"
The old mans face flushed.
IL never heard the honesty of the house
called in question:" he said, stiffiy.
'Didn't you9 Well, to tell the truth,
neither did l. But l wouldn't be sur
prised if I'm right, after all. It's in the
blood of his race, you know. Ever since
the days of Judas Iscariot, the Jews have
had hankering after pieces of silver"
The old mans face grew as black as a
thunder cloud, and he bit his lip without
speaking.
"People tell me-" l continued, not
needing this, for thought it was natural
that the old fellow should be annoyed at
anything said against his employers,
''pecple tell me that the Rothschilds have
made too fortunes. Now, as most people
can only make one, feel somewhat in
terested to learn the manner in which this
was done. Can you tell me, sir9"
The old mans face frightened instant
ly, and he replied smilingly, with more
polteness than he had yet manifested:
"Certainly, sir. People do say that the
house of Rothschild made one fortune
by being careful to mind their own bust
ness, and the other by letting that of 9th
err peoples alone. Good-morning, SIR"
With an elegant bow, he turned and
left me staring at him in blank amaze
ment. l began to ''smell rat" and l
looked for some one from whom to ask
the old gentleman's name. He had
stopped at the upper end of the building.
and was giving some directions to work
man.
l saw handsome man of about thirty,
standing a short distance from me, look
ing at the building liked his face, and
l went up to him.
Excuse me for troubling you, sir, l
said; "but am "a stranger in the coun-
try, and would like to ask you ques-
ton"
81 shall be happy to give you any in
formation in my power" he said, politely.
"Then can you tell me the name of
that old gentlemang" asked, pointing to
my sarcastic acquaintance.
''Certainly," he replied. THAT is Baron
Rothschild, the head of the house of that
NAME"
"Whew" exclaimed, in establishment.
"I've got myself into Il scrape."
"What is the matter2" asked my new
friend, obviously.
l told him what had occurred between
the baron and myself. He laughed heart
lily, and remarked pleasantly, when l had
concluded:
''rhat tcds awkward"
"He's crusty old chap" said, con-
siderably vexed. "He's as cross as
bear"
"Oh, that's only his way" replied my
companion. "He is good, kind hearted
man, but is rather eccentric"
II should say So"
The gentleman asked me great many
questions concerning America, and seemed
interested and amused by my answers.
"Do you know Baron Rothschildw l