The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-21

in spot cash. And greatly fear his gold
has put an impenetrable netting about
him, keeping him from the sweets of
life-the sweets of life from him.
First he tried society at Washington.
He had known Russell Harrison in Mon
tana and rather liked him. Prince Rus
sell "took him up" at the capital, in
troduced him, and suppose borrowed
money from him. Having millions, the
| young miner was much sought. But be-
ing AMMAN Of good sense, he didn't enjoy
having people run after him simply be-
cause he was rich. You see, the fly in
| De Lamar's ointment is that he is man
as we'll as millionaire. If he were a
cad he would be perfectly happy.
For instance, in Washington he drove
span of beautiful Russian horses. He
was fond of taking to drive the people he
| liked, but when these same people con-
trived to work the society columns of
the papers for advertising on account of
the ride De Lamar was Disguised. He
liked Russell Harrison and Mrs. Harri-
son and Mrs. Mckee, because they were
kind to him and good companions, and
he gave dinner to Mrs. Mckee, at which
the flowers cost a cool $500; the electric
lights, arranged for beautiful and novel
effects, $1,000, and a singer, imported
from New York, an even 81 500. Mr.. De
Lamar did not care for expenses; his only
aim was to please his friends. But when
the newspapers wrote up the dinner, as
the newspapers know how to do, he was
sorry he had given it. He wants pleas
ure for his friends and himself; he does
not want notoriety.
OF course, you perceive his difficulty.
If he live and entertain modestly, peo-
pie say he is misery with his great
wealth; if he does the generous thing,
as it is always his impulse to do, they
say he is making splurge with his
money-that he is golden calf.
Another instance of the disadvantages
Of being capitalist, and also an example
of our hero's good sense-the diplomatic
set in Washington took him up, of
course. The young attaches tied to him
because he had horses and dinners and
generosity. Good naturally he humored
them; made up coaching parties, paying
all bills; bought all the boxes at the
theater, turned it over to the attaches
and their ladies, winding up with rich
supper at the Shoreham.
How did the attaches return this cour-
tesy? AS cads might be expected to re-
turn it. They left their cards at Mr..
De Lamars hotel, instead of calling on
him. One day in the hotel Office De La
mar surprised group of them who had
left cards and were about to disappear.
His patience was exhausted, and his
western frankness came to the front.
.'D-n you fellows" said he, "why
don't you come up to my room and call
like men? am not born aristocrat,
but appear to be good enough for you
to associate with elsewhere. It hap
pens that 1 have plenty of money, while
you chaps have what your fathers give
you. But what difference does that
make? If you want to be friendly, ask
me around the corner to have a glass Of
beer, offer me one Of your internal Gig
arettes, or do something to show you arc
friends. That's all want"
The attaches were greatly shocked.
They talked of challenging De Lamar,
but didn't. The Idaho Monte Cristo
soon left Washington, convinced that
society there was hollow, insincere, tuft
hunting. He tried Europe and didn't
like it any better. He tried Newport.
and found no relief there. Then he
camo down to New York.
Here, as elsewhere, life was made
l,a he l.;
well dressed, plausible beggars. Schenl-
ers and borrowers sought him out. His
mail was full of plaintive appeals, de-
lusive offers. Women lay in wait for
him by the thousands-some on their
own account, some for their marriage
able daughters.
While poor man he had helped one
girl to secure an education and to win
success on the stage. When this became
known thousands of stagestruck maidens
besieged him. Actresses were after him
to secure his assistance in starting their
companies on the road.
Imagine the unfortunate lot of this
young man. It is impossible for him to
stir without being pointed out as the
rich De Lamar, who has $3,000,000 in
cold cash. The walters know him, cab
drivers know him, everybody knows
him. If he were fool, like Coal Oil
Johnny, he would throw his money
around and have fun seeing the human
monkeys scramble for it. But he is a
man of good sense, with the instincts Of
gentleman-a rough diamond; he is not
fond of drink, of vice in any form, nor
of gaming.
He would like to enjoy life, but hasn't
found the means. He has much money,
with which he is generous, but he
doesn't propose to be made dupe of by
scheming men and women, and half his
time is spent protecting that which he
values more than his money-his repu-
tation for shrewdness, tact and discern
ment.
Finally the pressure became so great
in New York that De Lamar bought this
yacht to make his escape in. Inviting
his friends aboard, he cruises about. He
enjoys good companionship, bright but
sensible conversation, better than more
dashing pursuits of pleasure. He is him