Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-19
REWARDING INGRATITUDE.

A Russian Millionaire Who voluntar-
lily Chose q Pauper's Grave.
From the Westminster Budget.
The sad story told by the TeIegraph's St
Petersburg correspondent might have been
invented by Tolstoi; but, from all appear
ances, 1t is Gospel truth. 1t begins with q
paupers funeral but that pauper was once
a well-known manufactufef, nf}licnalre
a power in the capital Of Russia, who scat
tered money to the right and to the left
doing many a generous deed never known
or long since forgotten. His poverty and
misery were Of his own choosing; ingrati-
tude drove him to initiate Timon Of Athens
and to turn hts back upon mankind. In the
very height Of his prosperity he fell ILL., and
his recovery was despaired of. lie made a
will in favor Of his wife, who was then no
longer young and Of his children, whom he
adored. He survived the crisis OF his NAL
ady, and was able to move about but his
death was believed to be only a matter Of
months. The doctors sent him to a water
ing place for the summer season, hot ex-
pecting him to return alive, and his wife
and children shared the conviction of the
physicians.
Appointing young man who was bound
to him by the strongest ties Of gratitude to
be director OF the works, he left st. Peters
burg alone. At first he became much worse
as everybody expected; then he rapidly i'm
proved, in consequence of which he STAYED
longer than had been his intention. At the
end Of SIX months he returned home, as
hale and hearty as ever, eager to enjoy life
with his family. But he found 10 family
there. His wife had played the role of
Pouphar's spouse In his absence, but the
young director proved no Joseph. The guilty
pair lived together openly, and succeeded
in turning the. children against their father
At first the woman had expected his death
and merely anticipated-as she thought
the course OF action she would IN that case
pursue. Then. finding that she had gone
too far to retreat she simply demanded a
large yearly allowance for herself, her
paramour and the children. it was a ter
rible blow for s., but he acted with prompt
decision, and without uttering word of
complaint or reproach.
Wrecked the Business.
First of all he dismissed the director.
Then, calling the bookkeeper into his room,
he said Now. look here You know what
has taken place, but you don't know how
it has affected me. The pair counted on
my death and were disappointed. They
now reckon on my riches. and 1 wish tn, m
to be disappointed still more. As long as
l possess ANYTHING I must make them an
allowance. Therefore / want to possess
nothing. II I squander my money they win
apply to the courts to have me declared
non compos nentis. and trustees will be
that, OF course, Is not what I want. Now
listen. ! am the sole owner Of the works,
ETC., and can do what / like with my own
and l want you to exert yourself to bring
every thing to rack and ruin go that sud
denly the WHOLE concern will burst and
leave nothing but dust behind Mind, now
nothing must be left. Enrich yourself let
the cashiers enrich themselves, don't forget
the workmen; do just what you like; 1 viii
second you; but let the end be as I desire"
And the bookkeeper went and carried out
his employers instructions conscientiously
The manufacturer. seeing how things
were going. rubbed his hands with delight,
and paid his wife the covenanted allowance
At the end Of two years came the crash-a'
complete crash, the very fragments Of which
could not be gathered up by his family. Be-
meeting Of his cashiers, bookkeeper fore
men and bis wife and children. The latter
were convinced that his object was to hand
over the works to them. for he bad more
much 0s ssy,n gwen mem to a.
nothing now" He opened the meeting by
esking his cashiers for their reports They
declared the works to be so heavily in debt
Ing any longer on credit. Very well, 20 at
once to the court" he said to his bookkeep-
er, and report my insolvency" His wife
and children protested loudly and indignant
iy. They would make things commercially
right again II he would only give them the
works. But he was memorable, the book
keeper went, and ak months later every
thing was sold for a song.
The silent Besgar.
Then, addressing his family, he said:
Now the time Is come for us to separate
My dear wife can seek comfort with her
unofficial spouse; you. dearest children, can
take refuge under the wing Of your loving
mother. AS for me 80" Here he called his
servant. is everything ready?" Every
thing" Hand them here" The aervant
gave MIN pair of top boots, an cid over
coat and a shabby hat. Where Is the wal
letT' Here, MASTER And The sianr'
Here, please" He flung the wallet o, err
his shoulders took the staff in his hand
made the sign of the cross and kissed his
old servant Then, without word of fare
well for his wife or children, he left the
house forever. Many years haye passed
since then, and through them ap : remain
gar" His wife died IN misery long ago. 4
week or two ago the former millionaire him
self found rest at last in the poor mans
grave, unwept, unhonored-nay, Innoticed.