Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-01
An Ex.MilliOnaire's Story.
How HE DROPPED FROM AFrLuENcE TO the
GRAps OF RAePIcKER.


One of the noted characters Of St. Louis,
according to the Post Dispatch of that city. is
Joseph w. Rathbone, a former New York
millionaire. who now earns livelihood by
gathering rags. He appears to, be about 60
years of age, aud is very reticent as to his
past life. Recently he was recognized by
friend, who impaired the story of his career
to a reporter.
Something like 20 or 30 years ago." said
the friend, 'Joseph W. Rathbone was one Of
tie most prominent young men in New York.
He was the eldest 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 him, but never
returned. During n storm he was swept
overheard and lost, thus leaving Joseph the
sole heir to the old mans money, his mother
having died while he was quite young AT
this time Joseph, l think, was about Is years
old ard was at Yale College. On his return
from his last voyage his father decided to
give up his seafaring lite and settle down in
New York. He purchased dwelling on
Twenty-third street, near Sixth avenue, which
was then fashionable residence portion of
the city, and probably feeling lonely IN his
old age, took his son out Of college and pur-
chased for him an interest in large whole
sale dry goods house. The young man show
ed remarkable tact, and for two or three
years worked faithfully and energetically,
much to his fathers pride and satisfaction.
Then he began to mingle in society, and as
he always had plenty Of money he was well
coined 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 formerly,
and much OF his income was spent in wine
suppers and other kinds of dissipation follow
ed by the rapid young men of the metropolis.
Finally he made the acquaintance of
young lady who moved in the upper circles
of society, the daughter of widow who was
reported to be very wealthy How she OBJ
tanned 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 daughter appeared
to be refined, educated people, they were rec
ognized by the better classes. The daughter
was an exceedingly handsome girl, very viv-
acious and coquettish in her manner. and al
WAYS had at least a dozen ardent admirers at
her heels. She affected the strongest attach.
ment for young Rathbone, who, in turn. seem
ed perfectly devoted to her. II was finally
reported that they were engaged to be mar
ried, and the gossiping spinsters whispered
all on his side, tha: she was simply after his
money, or the money that would be his when
his father died. 1t was known that the latter
was strongly opposed to the match, and that
he did everything in his power to break It up.
He might have succeeded, perhaps, but one
day stroke of apoplexy laid him out on the
sidewalk in front of his own residence, and
the young man became the owner of some
thing like half million.
All opposition now being removed, the
wedding. as a natural result, followed, and it
was one of the swellest affairs New York had
ever known. 1t took 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 city. The
supper, which was gotten up by Delmonico,
was perfection. Wine flow ed as freely as
water, and at midnight it was said that the.
festivities began to assume the appearance Of
a Jardin Mabille ball rather than the moderate
pleasure of a well-conducted wedding in up
per-tendom. Before two o'clock the quieter
portion Of the guests had become disgusted
and left for their homes, and by four O. clock
there was hardly any one present. About
this time the groom snccumbed to the in
fluence of the wine and was carried helpless.
ly drunk to one of the upper rooms, where
he war left to sleep off the effects of his over
dose.
At about nine o'clock he awoke, and, gath
ering his scattered senses, he started for the
room which had been set apart for the use OF
nmseii ana oride, deeply Illuminated and
prepared to make most abject apology to
her Tor his conduct. lie found the door nn-
locked, and entering, discovered that rival
suitor was in her company. For a moment
he stood as though suddenly transformed
into stone, and then he quietly closed the
doof' walked slowly down the stairs, donned
Ms i,a' an" o'eIcoa'. anu 'e,' Tue mouse.
aoou' week aueI"ard, having converted
MI Ms properly in'o CASH. ne dlsappearea
rom new ork ana was absent Tor nearly
two years. In the meantime his wife had
entered suit for divorce on the ground Of
desertion. had obtained decree and was
married to the man who had taken her hus-
oanas place. when hathoone returned ne
S.a oEmp Dn;n' sa,..se m ne vas Ionna one
10y ..H ~ oo mn '4aa s.".l"s rom "enrum
ueutur, huu Wdb Beut Dy several OF