The sun., 1891-07-12
TOLD OF A GERMAN BARON
His Dislike for Money Lenders Onoo Go
Hin Into Trouble.

Hin Into Trouble.
Freiherr Marschall Won Biebcrsteln. the
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs. who ac-
companlsd bis imperial master, the German
Emperor. on his trip to Great Britain. while a
member OF the RelohstaR In 1878 very unex-
pee edly found himself In an embarrassing
situation. as q result Of his activity in secur-
ing the passage Of law relating chiefly to the
jews. tho story OF which was related yesterday
by MIR. Moses Oppenheimer Of 3s Broadway.
Il have mot the Baron many time" said
Mr Opnenheimer. at the Mannheim Chess
Club. OF which We both were members He is
an ambitious man. and was much pleased
whom he was. in 1878. elected TO the ReichstaR.
the first ultra. Con servative member that had
obtained victory In Baden. He was very
active In the German parliament. being ono OF
tho brightest, as we'll as the most aggressive.
men in that rather dull conRlomerate. the
ultra Conservative party. His prominent par
ticipation In the enactment OF the Anti-usury
law resulted in o rather funny complication.
II happened to know personally tho otner
actor In the story. and have nv Information
directly from him. His name was Louis Ait
heimer. q well.to-do Hebrew residing in Manc-
helm and living on the proceeds OF a snug for
tune which he had amassed In his youth In the
United States.
"Altheimers specially was to lend money to
officers of the nrmy. to officials. and others OF
that class OF society on their promissory notes
His regular charge was Ia per cent. Per
annum. He would. OF course. accommodate
only people who seemed to be good Day. As .
rule he would extend the note from time to
time. on payment OF the interest, pSovided he
had no fear OF su fferinR loss.
In those days Baron MarscEall's father was
yet alive and In possession Of his moderate
estate. The young prosecuting attorney had
to get along. In tho main. on bis rather modest
salary He ma1aged It pretty well until be
had some trouble with . M Young woman. II
and conservative statesman 10 have the scan.
daI made public. and to hush 1t up about 900
baron entered into negotiations with Mi. Ait
haimer and secured the loan on his note, The
Pae Hnd sns t
I'm aayosstins the IA AntI-uspry 4 BIZ In tho
fsSs s:DsssS re- Il HsS5sx
S St It's ro
Of The courts to say whether in any given case
st haFd fsals and Sg nes
Baron returned to Mann lm and resume ed the
ouUU marks. nbio py Mr.. Althelmor. was soon
to fall due. Tho Baron wrote a note to his
creditor, asking him 10 call aud arrange tor an
extension Of time under the usual conditions.
Atheimer replied briefly In writing thnt under
the now Anti usury law no did not feel sae in
continuing to lend money In 8 former way.
and therefore proposed TO 20 into some othsr
business. whore his capital would yield him
legitimate profits. He notified the Baron that
the not would be presented for collection.
This turn OF Affairs was embarrassing for
the young statesman. He wrote again to Mr..
Altheimer. saying that the usury act was
never Intended for cases like his. and could
not apply to their relation. He urged re-
Bile transaction.
"A reply soon oame from the Hebrew. ac-
knowledging the Earon's good Intentions as
well US his legal acumen, but at the same time
Under those clrcumstances. Altheiner
continued ! do not feel disposed to nut my
neck into tho halter. l cannot renew your
note. You have been accommodated SO far
by one OF tho much; a bused - Hebrew usurers"
at his own terms. Your popu lGrity and your
position will probably induce some ~ your
CHRISTIAN friends 10 lend You the amount
without security on PERFECTLY legal In terest.
Mr.. Altheimer's note, it is needless to add,
was promptly paid. Marschall subsequently
became the diplomatic representative OF the
Grand Duke VI BADEN at Berlin. and still laler
he WAS appointed Under Secretary of State IN
the Foreign Once; Al ng the place formerly
occupied by Count Herbert bismarck"