The record-union., 1894-09-01
THR MILLIoNAIRE.s REvRNGH
Tale OF a Modern Potiphar's Wife and
Modern Timon

1al0 Oh Il InCO6ru 9OIipllar,S NliS ana
a Modern Tirnon.
plain wooden coffin, writes st. Pc
tersburg correspondent, was lately con-
veyed in a shaky old hearse to the poor
peoples section of the Volkova Cemetery,
in this city. There was no priest TO recite
the last prayers, no mourners to shed
tear over the relative or friend who had
just passed away; the grave diggers low
cred the wooden box, hurriedly shoveled
in the earth, stamped on the grave and
all was over. A dog or q rabbit might
have thus been put out of sight. And
yet all st. Petersburg is now talking
about the lifeless inmate of that plain,
frail coffin, for he was once we'll l-known
manufacturer, millionaire, power in
the capital of Russia, who scattered
money to the right and TO the left, doing
many a generous deed, never known or
long since forgotten, and now there is
none so poor to do him reverence. His
poverty and misery were OF his own
choosing; ingratitude drove him TO imi-
tate Iimon OF Athens, and to turn his
back upon mankind.
In the very hight of his prosperity he
tell III, and his recovery was despaired of.
lie 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 sum-
mer season, not expecting him TO return
alive, and his wife and children shared
the conviction OF the physicians. APP
pointing a young man, who was bound
TO hlm by the strongest ties OF gratitude,
to be director of the works, he lett st.
Petersburg alone.
At first he became much worse, as
everyb expected; then he rapidly i'm
proved, IN consequence of which he
stayed on longer than had been his inten-
uon. AT the end of six months he re-
turned home as hale and hearty as ever,
eager TO enjoy life with his family. But
Ee found no family there. His wife had
played the part of Potiphar's spouse in
his absence, but the young director
proved no Joseph. The guilty pair lived
together openly, and succeeded in turn
ing the Children against their father. At
first the woman had expected his death,
ana merely anticipated, as she thought,
the course of action she would in that case
pursue. Then, finding she had gone too
lar 10 retreat, she simply demanded a
large yearly allowance for herself, her
paramour aud the children.
1t was a terrible blow Tor s.. but he
acted with prompt decision, and, without
utterlng word OF complaint or reprcach,
nrst OF all he dismissed the director,
Then, calling the book-keeper into his
room, he said: Now, look here. You
know what has taken place, but you dom
know how ii has affected me. The pair
counted on my death and were disar-
pointed. They now reckon on my riches,
aud l wish them TO be disappointed still
more. AS long as l possess anything l
must make them an allowance. There
lore 1 want TO possess nothing. If L
squander my money they will apply to
the courts to have me declared non COM
pos mentis, and trustees will be appointed
10 look alter everything, and that of
course, Is not what L want. Now listen.
L am the sole owner OF the works, etc..
anu can do what l like with my own.
ana want you to exert yourself to bring
everything 10 rack and ruin, so that sud-
denly the whole concern will burst and
leave nothing but dust behind Mind
now, nothing must be left. Enrich your
self, let the cashiers enrich themselves.
don't forget the workmen. Do lust what
you like-l will second you; but let the
end be as | DESIRE" And the book-keeper
went and carried out his employers in
structions conscientiously.
The manufacturer. seeing how things
were going, rubbed his hands with de-
light and paid his wife the covenanted al
iowance. At the end of two wears came
the crash-a complete crash, the very
fragments OF which could not be gathered
up by his family. Before the matter be-
came public he called a meeting of his
cashiers, book-keeper, foremen and his
wife and children. The latter were con-
vinced that his object was 70 hand over
the works to them. for he had more than
once given them to understand as much.
saying: Take everything, want moth
ing now."
lie opened the meeting by asking his
cashiers for their reports. They de-
eiared the works to be so heavily in debt
hot a.rsl a IL.
going any longer on credit. very well.
go at once TO the court" he said to his
bookkeeper, "and report my insolvency"
HIS wife and children protested loudly
and Indignantly. They would make
things commercially right again if he
would give them the works. But he was
ineXorable; the bookkeeper went. and
six months later everything was sold Tor
song. Then, addressing his family, he
said: Now the time has come for us to
separate. My dear wife can seek COM
fort 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 servants
us everything ready?" "Everything"
''Hand them here" The servants gave
him pair of top boots, an old overcoat
and q shabby hat Where is the wal
let?" "Here, master" "And the staff?D
Here, please" He flung the wallet
over bis shoulders, took the staff in his
hand, made the sign of the cross and
kissed his old servant.
Then. without a word of farewell for
his wife and children, he left the house
forever. Many years have passed since
then, and through them all s. re-
manned faithful to the role of the tsilent
beggar." His wife died in misery long
ago. Last week the former millionaire
himself found rest at last in the poor
mans grave, unwept, unhonored-nay.
unnoticed.
Wood ashes are excellent to clean dis
oO1orad 70 bIo ,para