News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-04-30
A PLUCKY MILLIONAIRE.
How NJ. RothschiId Earned Three Hum
dred Louis.

The following story is told of men,
Der OF the house of Rothschild, who was
travelling on business in very thinly
populated district in France. He was
mounted on favorite horse and had IN
his possession large amount OF money
IN bills and other securities.
His first days travel was unproductive
OF any wonderful event. He stopped be-
fore nightfall at a village inn, rested
| comfortably and next morning pursued
his route. While riding slowly along
the border of large wood, in the fore
noon OF the second day, he observed a
party of men, also on horseback, short
way before him. He continued his
course and they did the same; but the
merchant was uncomfortably surprised
in the end to observe them frequently
turning round, one after another, appar-
emily to look at him. NJ. Rothschild
thought of his pistols, and began to be
very uneasy. The road now struck into
the wood already mentioned, and when
in the middle of 1t poor Rothschild was
shocked to see the men halt and turn
round to observe him, as if simultane-
ously. The merchant was at this time
but short distance from them, and
| could not help drawing up his horse for
| a moment While he was in this situa-
ton one of the men, after an apparent
consultation with the others, left them,
and advanced to our friend.
When the man came up the strangers
first words to Rothschild were, "What
Is your purpose here p
The merchant hesitated, and at length
stammered out. 81 am come-upon an
honest errand, 1 hope--like yourselves. "
sab, I thought So" replied the
he continued, "Well, what will you take
to go away ? Will you take one hundred
louis ?"
Mystified thoroughly, Rothschild. al
most by accident, blurted out ''No r.
The man again spoke and said: Il
cannot offer you more without speaking
to my companions" With which words
he turned away and rejoined his band.
Mr.. Rothschild never was so much
puzzled iii his life, but his spirits rose
as he saw no intention on the part of
the men to injure him, and he waited
quietly till the strangers return. That
parsonage was not long away, and when
he returned to the merchant bag of
money was in his hand. This bag he
held out to Rothschild, saying: 1--WE
have come to the resolution of just offer
ing you 800 louis at once. Here they
are-f you choose to go away. Now, do
take Them" continued he. upon my
word we cannot offer more" Roths-
child sat more bewildered than ever, and
was about to speak, when the bag was
thrust into his hand by the stranger who
at the same time said, "Now do take it
without another word. 1t will be as
well for you, perhaps, as you are alone;
and l can tell you there are some deter
mined fellows yonder who would think
nothing to drive you off. But was for
a compromise, and, upon my honor, we
cannot give you more" With this the
MN turned to move away.
He reached Paris in safety. where he
recounted his extraordinary escape from
a band of thieves and endeavored to seek
an explanation from his friends.
Finally, however, by dint of local in
vestigation, the mystery was solved.
The explanation is simple. In that wood
on the afternoon in question there was
to be great sale of cut wood which the
party of men had come from distance
to buy in concert with one another.
They looked for a great bargain, having
reason to hope that nobody would APP
pear to bid against them. But on see-
ing NJ. Rothschild in their track they at
once come to the conclusion that he was
on the same "errand" as themselves.
On consultation they thought it worth
their while to endeavor to buy up his
by the offer of good round
sum. NJ. Rothschild's first words unin-
tionally confirmed the mistake rs to his
purpOse