National Republican., 1884-02-29
THE ELDER DUMAS.
His Warm Heart and PrincoIy I.iberality

His Warm Heart and PrincoIy t.ibernlity.
In Naples letter to tho London Times
there are some "reminiscences of Alexander
Dumas, the elder. One paragraph reads as
follows 1.-THE kindness-nay, weakness--of
his heart exposed him to being constantly
victimed." "He cannot keep his money"
said mutual friend. II brought him re-
Gently a handful Of notes, and he gave
them all away to some poor woman
who told a most pitiful story to him, and
now he is leaving Naples for short
time and wants money, and | know not
where to get it." ~ am writing aga inst
time this morning. said he one morning to
an early caller "and doing extra work, and
this extra work is for an object have in
view. You know about our conscription.
Well, in Brittany there is q protege of mine.
He happens to be in Paris now. Once on
time, on the borders of tho sea, | heard q
fisher lad playing u violin, and it was music.
The boys hands were still with net dragging
and tho fingers cut to the bone with tho
tugging of ropes but still | knew the boy
had talent. l have been taking care of
that boy for years. and Interested
the cure and project in his depart
mcnt. His talent developed. He was tho
wonder of the country. Some of my friends
paid his expenses to Paris. week ago he
was thought worthy of becoming o pupil of
the Conservatoire. Auber says he has genius.
But then came the wretched conscription, and
unless we can find some one to take his place
he will have to go to Africa. 1t is Il bagatelle
of 6000f. am good for 1,000f.-thats the
overwork for three days. ! have promises
of 1,000f. more-that's two; but whero the
devil will get the rest?"
Just then O servant brought in note.
Dumas read it through. his face beaming with
smiles. "Good, good p he cried. "A Russian
friend buys picture of mine for 30O0f worth
5,000f We only want 1,000f more. But
am stranded. The money must be had to-day
or IL will bring an extra expense l wasted
half yesterday in trying to postpone the busi-
ness for only couple of days, but the minis
ter of war is obdurate."
/ was fortunate enough to offer some sug-
pestions which | believed would raise tho
other 1.000f This would entail some slight
labor of an autographed character on
Alexandra Dumas. Dumas rushed from his
desk, took me in his arms, kissed me, then
opened his door, hustled me out, and said {:
''Do not waste q moment; / expect you back
in an hour at cannot be done in an hour;
give me three, and | think ! can do it," |
replied. ~ will wait for you; / will not
bulge until you return"
| had not q great deal of trouble in getting
the money among tho American colony, and
uDOuI u o ClOCh L up w thp bhliOoui
where Dumas was living, He came himself
TO the door. / struck my hand against my
pocket. which gave out the clink Of coin. |
was embraced second time. On the mantel-
piece piled up the oney,which was princi.
pally in gold and silver.
Not there, not there" cried Alexandra
Dumas, "for whatever money is put in there
is common property for my friends A score
of needy men would come in--there are so
many needy people in Paris just before din
ner-who might he hungry, and seeing the
money there would he themselves and |
couldn't deny them. By & o'clock there
would not be a sou left. | wouldn't have tho
heart to say no. Somehow charity has no
definite object, 1t must be universal, but in
this case | must be prudence itself" and say
ing this he took up the money and locked it
in drawer in his writing desk. l had no
trouble in obtaining from Dumas the auto
graphs he had promised. He wrote whole
series of charming letters to my friend as a
return for their liberality.
The young Breton fisherman was fully
worthy of Dumas's kindness. Ho became o
distinguished violinist, and might have made
n mark in tho world had he lived, but he
died before his patron. Dumas was prodigal
to degree, was careless in money matters,
but with him charity shall cover multi
tude of sins" His was the kindest heart that
ever beat,