The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-12-01
THE FIRST ROTHSCHILD.

AT the time OF the French reVOlu-
ton, there lived at Franktort-on-the-
Main, in Germany, Jewish banker, Of
limited means, but good reputation,
named Moses Rothschild. When the
French army invaded Germany, the
Prince of Hesse Cassel was obliged TO
fly from his dominions. AS he passed
through Frankfort, he requested
Moses Rothschild to take charge Of a
large sum of money and some valuable
jewels, which he feared might other
wise fall into the hand of the enemy.
The Jew would have declined so great
charge; but the prince was so much
at loss for the means of saving his
property, that Moses at length consent
ed. He declined, however, giving q
receipt for it, as in such dangerous
circumstances he could not be answer
able for its being safely restored. The
money and jewels, to the value of
several hundred thousand pounds,
were conveyed to Frankfort; and just
as the French entered the town, Mr..
Rothschild had succeeded in burying
the treasure in a corner Of his garden
He made no attempt to conceal his
own property, which amounted only
to six thousand pounds. The French
accordingly took this, without suspec-
ting that he had any larger sum in his
possession. Had he, on the contrary,
pretended to have no money, they
would have certainly searched, as they
did in many other cases, and might
have found and taken the whole
When they left the town, Mr.. Roths-
child dug up the princes money, and
began to made use of small portion
of it. He now thrived in his business,
and soon gained much wealth of his
own. y few years after when peace
came, the Prince of Hesse Cassel re-
turned to dominions. He was almost
afraid to call on the Frankfort banker,
for he readily reflected that, if the
French had not the money and Jewels
Moses might pretend they had, and
thus keep all to himself. To his great
astonishment, Mr.. Rothschild inform
ed him that the whole of the property
was safe, and now ready to be return
ed, with 5 per cent. interest on the
money. The banker at the same time
related 10y what means he had saved
it, and apologized for breaking upon
the money, 10y representing that, to
save it, he had to sacrifice all his
own. The prince was So impressed
by the fidelity of Mr.. Rothsclild under
his great trust, that he allowed the
money to remain in his hands at a
small rate of interest. TO mark. also.
his gratitude, he recommended the
jew to various European sov,rci.Ls S
as moncy-lender. Moses WAS con
scquently employed in several great
transactions for raising loans, by
which he realized vast profit. In
time he became immensely rich, and
put his three sons into the same kind
OF business in the three chief capitals
of Europc-London, Paris and Vienna
All Of them prospered. They became
the wealthiest private men whom the
world has ever known. He who lived
in London. lett at his death S35 000, ,000
The other two were created barons
and died not less wealthy. Thus a
family, whose purse has maintained
war and brought about peace, owes all
it greatness to one act of honesty un
der trust
BY the street of Bv-and-by one a.
rives at the house of Never.