The Portland daily press., 1899-11-03

N, ia xx.ulei ~, ma - tr.. a., 2orth Afxi.a
Thav az Io.n N pos,.... ..,,,.,..
va.I,h s.oo n n ooo. go, 49,.
skao foo ana ,hs ,... p.rn., parna,o
who Lar, an .st,t, va,usd =. o,.r As ooo
ooo savs ,h. ph,,.a.,r,,. v....a An ~
~ ,sa ,n.r -, ,oo, hs,or, 49,, a,arord
mines of Kimberley and the gold fields
OF the Transvaal were discovered, and
this was especially tbs cese with John
ID. Robinson, who was absolutely psn-
niless In the latter part OF 1873.
This story is OF John d. Robinson. WI
is unqusslonabiy the richest man In the
world. Tbs man. With his Immense
wealth, doss not travel round the world
In Trlvate yacht; be does not possess
raiatiai piivats raiir'ad car; he doss not
parade ii s'upendous richss In an ostsn-
nerform act. n, ch.r,,v
Ane career OF Mr. Robinson In Atrica
Is far stranger than fiction; the aoquisi.
tion Of mis- wenitb reads mora like "A fairy
81. ,h. ..,,., a.. a., -,
vai' wa" an ao'usi ooourfenee IN fca'
life. Many have m ads fortunes In South
Africa during the early davs. but the ma.
ior,tx and a.rsc,.lIv tho.a rrar,,orsa a,
~ ~ -
ehis arseis, aequireo tneir ricn's py ooii-
dog grit and sDgscity. With Robinson II
has been different. his WEALTH. beyond
~. ans.,, :, Man., C,,.,o ..sn-..
'H' uIeain Vi non'e oi's'o' was seoureu
simply by pure. unadulter:ted luck.
"oN uIS uppEpsn
john B. Robinson and his wife arrived
in South Afrioa from ENGLAND In the
&C.
eary ee'en''es' possNsihs apous esW
when they arrived as CAPE Town. The
couple decided to make their way to
p,nar,toc.a,n ,.., :. A. ~.
o '''"' o"pi'"i :, 'ne o'a"se see
state. lt was long and tet ious
Journey In those days, but after n month q
travel in N buIIook vagon Rob,uson
~. -. -. -.
~" "he a1FNeu az 'h' n'tie TOWN
They decided to open grocery and gen
eral merchr Mise store. CustomsTs were
long In coming, and taose Of the Orange
Free state burghers who did trade with
Robinson asked for credit, which was
freely extended to thsm. He was new to
the business, bat the burglars were ! old
bands at buying on credit. The grocery
keeper did not progress; trade, 1t is true,
became brisk, hut 1t was nearly all on
part OF 1878. AZ Robinson increased his
credits he was going desper into debt.
His creditors were clamoring for their
money, but he had none to give. One
morning In 1878 an Orange Free State
official tock charge Of the Robipfon
store. A day or 30 lat the whole outfit
was sold nt auction. Burghers from all
per.s of BIoemfontsin came 70 see the
sport, but none Of those who owed Robin
son monev made an, effort to psy him !;
may hap they had never intended to do
so. While the auction was going on
Robinson stood By In dszsd manner.
A. ,hs hnr hfr,can "a. s.nhs Pa t%s
west that evening hobinson, then nesriy
v an3 ranni,ess' Soutn ALE a. .ho nrs,
place In the world to be without money !:
II was so then. 1t is so now. Robinson
aa,aa aan nou 49,, Ile % hsm asauoua .''
formed that several had made their for
tunes at the diggings. tie decided to
go 10 BIN oeriey. ihe question was.
from Rioam fonts;, Mr. R9,,rso, o .s snsa
gested that they walk there. The husband
shonldered his little belongings and
s.s;ias Sst t .or .he .hs aaonu M Mes.a 80, isn
~. n.,,,1a ..S 80 oap.So,
a. 81 ~ rtppbb,.s sha,,as ,TSs, -,
~
sssn ssstfs s1pes p,aos 70 sissp anu
-. ~ a. s.o M u"y
IN NJ oay ous Ier .nrse Weeks, honhHon
anu anu his VIE uefeaueu ou onari.y unuI
taes air.seu % =. hlmoeriey. pscuiIA As
loonins psiI .ney we're w1en tnes arrived
a. .ne 'nen luz oi"nona ulSsings Inc
tMo wv uasen sn rs Wers tootsore ana weary
rom .neir Ions narch over toe hos hlrI-
.an .n, naVI anu n.ns inInes iookea en
S.sLne.' SaaVa ior sneih. 1us ~ 10 an eiu
ns saa ama' ~ s. - always oarhest !uss ue'
,oiv ,.tts unmn n~Iu. .s appsaIeu W oe eno oase
"i'" nooihs'n anu MS pes.er nah.
A TRAMP AND A BEGGAR.
~
IL YVES tEe unexpected that happened.
AS Rol inson was walking along the rude
st-eets of Kimbe,ley drag,ipg his fset 4,
+. 1,s,,a, .n ~ 80,
i'e''e'' i"oi' ne AioAeu sn'hins
a f,ns uncnt diamond noh,,son thar
knew little OF the value of those precious
stones nor their quality. Now he has
diamond mines of his owp, and can tell
In an instant the valu. of an uncut stone.
Within two hours after he had faund the