The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-07-19
SEW IIM0S OF ATHENS.
Russian Millionaire Who voiantarii,
 Chose a Paapsr's Grave.
From the Westminster Budgst,l


 Chose n Paapsr's Grave.
 From the Westminster Hudgtt,l
 The sad story ted by "The Teie' graphs" St. Petersburg correspondent might have been invented by Tolstoi, but. from all appearances, IL Is Gospel truth, It begins with pauper's funer- al. but that pauper was once Well known manufactures. a millionaire, power in the capital of Russia. who scattered money 10 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: ingratitude drove him to imi- tate Timon Of Athens. and to turn his back upon mankind In the very height of prosperity he fell i'll. and his recovery was despaired of. He made 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 malady. and was able to move about. but his death was believed to be only matter Of months. The doctors sent him to watering place for the summer season. not expecting tp AEtuiH anu WllE anu children shared the conviction of the physicians.
 Appointing a young man, who was bound 10 him by the strongest ties of gratitude. to be director of the works. he left St. Petersburg alone. At first he became much worse. as everybody expected. then he rapidly improved. in consequence of which he stayed on longer than had been his intention. At the end of six months he returned home as hale and hearty as ever. eager to en- no family there. His wife had played the role of Potiphar's spouse in his ab- sence 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 she had gone too far to retreat, she simply de- manded yearly allowance for herself, her paramour and thee hldren. It was terrible blow for S., but he acted with prompt decision, and without uttering word of complaint or reproach.
 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 effected me. The pair counted on my death and were disappointed. They now. reckon on my riches, and I wish them to be disap- pointed still more. As long as possess anything I must make them an allow ance. Therefore want to possess noth- ing. If l squander my money they will apply to the courts to have me de- clared non compos mentis, and trustees will be appointed to look after every thing, and that, of course, is not what I want. Now listen. I am the sole owner of the works, etc., and I can do what I like with my own, and I want you to exert yourself to bring every thing to rack and ruin so that suddenly 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; I will second you; but let the end be as I desire." And the bookkeeper went and carried out his employers s instructions conscientiously.
 The manufacturer, seeing how things were going rubbed his hands with de- light 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. Before the matter became public he called a meet ing of his cashiers, bookkeeper, fore man and his wife and children. The latter were convinced that his object was to hand over the works to them, for he had more than once given them to understand as much, saying, "Take everything; I want nothing now" He opened the meeting by asking his cash iers for their reports. They declared the works so heavily in debt that it would be criminal to keep them going any longer on credit. "Very we'll, go at once to the court" he said to his book keeper, 'and report my insolvency" His wife and children protested loudly and indignantly. They would make SAdIly 1A6Hl dSdlH IL uc would only give them the works. But he was memorable, the bookkeeper went, and six months later everything was sold for a song.
 Then, addressing his family, he said ''Now the time is come for us to sepa- rate. My dear wife can seek comfort with her unofficial spouse; you, dear est children. can take refuge under the wing of your loving mother. As for me :" Here he called his servant "Is everything ready?" Everything" Hand them here" The servant gave him pair of top boots,, an old over coat and shabby hat. "Where is the wallet?" Here. master" And the staff?" "Here, please" He flung the wallet over his shoulders. took the staff in his hand, made the sign of the cross and kissed his old servant Then with out word of, farewell for his wife or children, he left the house forever. Many years have passed since then, and through them all s. remained faith full to the role of the Silent beggar." His wife died in misery long ago. A week or two ago the former millionaire himself found rest at last in the poor mans grave. unwept, unhonored-nay, unnoticed. .4.
 EERPENTS ARE NOT NERVOyyS