The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-07-13
Millionaire and Pauper.

shabby clothes that were fashionable
years ago, is wandering aimlessly about
The ware house has developed into one
of those gigantic concerns whose transac'
tions are world wide.
The shabby old gentleman has a pencil
behind his ear and small book in his
hand, and as he walks about lie moves
his lips as if he were casting up sum-
Every now and then he stoops to pick up
pin or piece of paper from the floor.
The pin be sticks in his coat and the pa,
per he sticks in his pocket.
Few people know that this shabby and
miserable old mar is the founder of This
mighty house; that he is millionaire
that, though long past work, he comes
down to the ware house when it opens
and stays till it closes, and that he per.
forms the duties of door keeper and re-
ceives salary of $3.50 week, which he
carefully boards up.
This mighty merchant, this millionaire,
is haunted day and night by the thought
that he is a. pauper and that be will come
to the work house.
To ease his mind his sons employ him
and give him $3.50 a week, and this be
boards up so that be may be"s enough
to bury him decently.
Fifty years ago the world was before
him; he was young. strong and clear
hesded, and he determined to make a
fortune. BE married and children were
born to him in the days before bis grea.
prosperity came.
By the time he was middle aged man
he had distspced most of his trade rivals,
and the name of his firm was widely
known as one Of the most flourishing
houses in London.
Even then be was not satisfied. His
sous were partners in the firm, aud he
might we'll have retired and let them
manage it. But no, his establishment
only filled one side of the street; he
wanted the other half.
His turnover was four millions yearly
why not make il eight? His firm was
second in imporsA1ce in the eyes of the
trade; why shouldn't it be ths first? he
would devote another five years to the
task and then retire.
Five years passed away, and he con-
feased himself satisfied. He would re-
tire. The deeds should be prepared, and
in six months he would begin to take bis
we'll earnest rest, leaving his son in abso'
Lutte control of the business.
When FIVE months of the ak had yet
to run he had q fl in the counting house.
and was carried home to his West End
mansion. He rose from his illness an
imaginary pauper. His mind WAS gone
and he was possessed with an extraordi
nary mania.
He thought he was ruined, that he had
lost every penny, and that he was com
PEELED to work for his living. As soor
as he could move he wandered down tc
the warehouse and solicited employment
of his sons. With tears in his eyes he
begged to be taken on to do anything
he didn't care what. Acting on the doc
tors advice the sons employed him.
BE actually believed he would die ir
the work house. At home he would mol
sit in the grand rooms, but stink away
into the kitchen among the servants the
proper place, be said, for poor man.
His family tried all ways to dispel the
illusion. One day they kept him a
home. He tore his hair and moaned tina
be should be discharged, and would have
to go to the work house. They were OBJ
liged to let him out.