The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-15
A BARON WHO WORKS
AN EUROPEAN NOBlEMAN LABORiNG
HARD FOR SMALL PAY.


Ring went the pilots bell, the wheels
splashed and we were off for Ellis island
where l made the discovery which en-
ables me to tell this tale and right d
wrong.
Ellis island, unfamiliar to most New
Workers, although at the very door of
their harbor, is the place where immi-
grants land from the steerage of incom-
ing steamers. 1t is place full of quaint
and picturesque scenes Of human life-a
rare place for philosopher, and l found
one such.
who is that dark featured man with
the heavy mustache?" l inquired of an
employee when he had made a landing.
The subject of my query was bustliHg
about in the swarm of foreigners, speak
ing half dozen languages at the same
time; now showing some stupid Dutch
man the way to the railroad Office; now
saying a kind word to some forlorn
Polish peasant woman; now speaking in
perfect English to a fellow official, for
the gold letters on his hat told me that
he was connected with the service.
There was something about the man
which at once interested and puzzled me.
"Ah! shure, sir, an that's the count, as
we calls him, seein as he wears them
hoy toned clothes and toothpick shoes,
but he's dacent chap enough for all
that, sir"
l now noticed that "the count" was
dressed in excellent, almost elegant
style, his Prince Albert coat having GER
tainly been made by London tailor;
his trousers falling in faultless lines and
creases over a pair of patent leather
shoes. Once or twice as he moved about
l caught a glimpse of scarlet waistcoat,
such as the extreme swells of Paris are
fond of wearing. His linen, too, was
such as betrays the gentleman, and the
careful droop and curl of his black mus
tache could only have been obtained by
long familiarity with the curling irons.
Here" | reflected, sis a man who
dresses and carries himself and looks
like bowling European swell, acting as
interpreter for mob Of unwashed emil
grants. wonder who he is?''
asked the question of another man
wearing the official cap.
"Hes the dude, that's what he is"
was the only answer l could get. An
other man called him 1.-The baron" and
finally got hold of the chief of the rail-
road department, who gave me the key
to the puzzle.
1.-THE man you have noticed" said he,
sis one Of the most willing and efficient
employees in my department., and you
will be moderately astonished when l
tell you that he is known and received
in the best society of dozen cities, in
Guiding New York, London and Paris.
He is no other than the Baron de Grune-
baum"
what, the Baron de Grunebaum
New York society made such fuss over
a few years ago?"
Precisely. The Baron de Grune-
baum, whom Mrs. Astor and all the rest
of the Four Hundred danced with and
ionized."
The baron was bowling to a fat woman
enveloped in an antique shawl with the
same courtly ease he might have dis
played in saluting millionaire partner
at the Patriarchs' ball. A woman was
a woman wherever he found herl
DO you suppose he would mind talk
ing with me?' l asked, forgetting my
own business in this newly aroused in
tereSt.
81 will ask him." said the good heart
ed superintendent, and he presently re-
turned with his distinguished employee.
A few words put US at our ease, and the
baron, not without hesitation, finally &C
copied my invitation to quiet dinner
few days later. Then he went back to
his duties and to mine.
The dinner came, and l hope the
baron enjoyed it as much as l did. The
conversation was entirely in French,
which he speaks, as he does English,
German, Italian, Hungarian, Bohemian
and l don't know how many others,
with scarcely trace of foreign accent.
"Why, you know came to America
about eight months ago at the wish of
my father" he said; ''but stop moment,
these papers have said so much that is
false and outrageous about me that lam
not sorry to have chance to set myself
right. l will tell you how my father
came to send me to America. / had been
living at pretty rapid pace, with gam
bling and so on, and had run myself into
debt up to the eyes, as thought had
right to do, being the only son Of a man
who is immensely wealthy. Things came
to a crisis about year ago, and ap-
pealed to my father, who promised to
pay my creditors if would show my in
tention of living a more serious life by
going to America and taking ranch out
in Nebraska, where he thought the
healthful outdoor work would get me
into better habits. Iagreed and came to
America with about $4,000 capital.
which he advanced me. That was all |
could have under any circumstances for
a year TO come.
Unfortunately, soon after landing IN
New York made the acquaintance Of
delightful fellow who persuaded me to
invest my money in Chicago Gas stock at
ffty-two. He said would have 800, 900
IL month. So / would and more had
he made the investment little later, for
Chicago Gas has since touched eighty.
As it was, the stock broke on some ru-
NOR and my margin was wiped out and
was left without resources. ! could
not 90 back to Europe because OF the
promise | made TO my father; was too
proud to beg; | was incapable Of doing
dishonorable action, so | sought such
employment as could get, and you have
seen what have found. II | have been