Connecticut western news., 1882-04-12
AN Ex.MILL1oNA1RE,s STORY.
How he Dropped From Afduence to
 the Grade of a Ragpicker,

AN 4.M1LLIONAIRES STORY.
 How he Dropped From Amuence to
 the Grade of a Ragpicker.
 One of the noted characters of st
 Louis, according to the Post. Dtspatch of that city, is Joseph w. Rathbone. 8 former New York millionaire, who now earns livelihood by gathering rags. He appears to be about 60 years of age. and is very reticent as to his past life. Recently he was recognized by friend. who imparted the story of his career to 8 reporter.
 Something like twenty-five or thirty years ago." said the friend, "Joseph w. Rathbone was one of the most prom inent young men in New York. He was the elder of two sons, his brother being about three years younger. His father was at one time sea captain, and made several voyages to China, on one of which the youngest son accompanied hlm, but never returned. During a storm he was swept overheard and lost thus leaving Joseph the sole heir to the old mans money, his mother havino died while he was quite young. At this time Joseph, I think, was about 1s years old and was at Yale College. On his return from his last voyage his father decided to give up his seafarinp life and settle down in New York. He purchased dwelling on Twenty. third street, near Sixth avenue, which was then fashionable residence portion of the clty, and probably feeling lonely in his old age, took his son out of college and purchased for him an interest in a large wholesale dry goods house. The young man showed remarkable tact. And for two or three years worked faithfully and energetically, much to his fathers pride and satisfaction. Then he began to mlngle in society, and as he always had plenty of money he was welcomed everywhere by the young bloods of the town and by the fortune hunting bellies and their mammas. Although he did not actually neglect his business. he did not seem as deeply engrossed in it as for merly, and much of his income was spent in wine suppers and other kinds of dissipation followed by rapid younp men of the metropolis.
 "Finally, he made the acquaintance of young lady who moved in the upner circles of society, the daughter of a widow who was reported to be very wealthy. How she obtained her money If she had any, was. never known. and there was an air of mystery about her history which caused considerable talk in society, but as she and her dauohter appeared to be refined, educated people they were recognized by the better classes. The daughter was an exceed. ingly handsome girl, very vivacious and coquettish in her manner. and always had at least dozen ardent adm,rars ot her heels. She affected the strongest attachment for young Ratdbone. who m turn. seemed perfectly devoted to her. It was finally reported that they were engaged to be married, and the gossip1ng spinsters whispered that if there was any love in the match it was all on his side, that she was simply after his money, or the money that would be ms when his father died. It was known that the latter was strongly opposed to the match, and that he did everything Tn his power to break it up. He might nave succeeded, perhaps, but ono day a stroke of apoplexy laid him out on inc sidewalk in front of his own residence and the young man became the owner of something like half million.
 "AH opposition now being removed the wedding, as natural result fol. lowed, and 1t was one of the swellest af. fairs New York had ever known. If LOOK place at the residence of the brides mother, on Twentieth street near Fifth avenue, and was attended by some of the most prominent people of the oitv. The supper, which was gotten up bv Delmonlco, was perfection. Wine flowed as freely as water, and at midniob+ if was said that the festivities began +o assume the appearance of Jardin Ma. bile ball rather than the moderate pleasure of well-conducted weddino ln upper tendon. Before 2 o'clock the quieter portion of the guests had be. come disgusted and left for their homes. and by 4 o'clock there was hardly anv one present. About this time the groom succumbed to the influence of the wine and was carried helplessly drunk to one of the upper rooms, where he was left to sleep off the effects of his overdose.
 "At about g o'clock he awoke. and. gathering his scattered senses. he started for the room wh1ch had been set apart for the use of himself and bride deeply humiliated and prepared to make most abject apology to her for his conduct. He found the door un. looked, and entering, discovered that a rival sultor was in her company. For 8 moment he stood as though suddenly transformed into stone, and then he quietly closed the door, walked down the stairs, donned hls hat and overcoat. and left the house.
 About week afterward having con- verted all his property into cash, he dis. appeared from New York and was ab- sent for nearly two years. In the mean. time his wife had entered a suit for di- vorce on the ground of assertion, had obtained a decree and was married to the man who had taken her husbands place. When Rathbone returned he was complete wreck. He was found one day in Union Square suffering from delirium tremens, and was sent by sev-