The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-11-05
FABULOUS WEALTH
IN HIS own MIND.
AttleborO Agrarian Who Planned
Palace, Would Build Convent,
Dazzled Young Girl, and
Then Disappeared.

Robert Balfour Macdonald as ne
slyIed himself. has disappeared from Al
teboro after a career OF grest brilliancN.
II is alleged that he ppsod as = mil
honaire: made a deal TO buy $50 5cres
OF the finest land in the suburbs of the
Town; made an oner OF marriage 10 .
ohsrmlns girl and promised $4,000 In cash
as a wedding gift: made preliminary
plans to erect a magnificent palace; 'nd
ended his local adventures by MYSTERIOUS
N disappearing with Joseph Armelfs
overcoat and s. in money.
He came 10 town three weeks ago ana
secured work as a farm hand with Joseph
Armen who owns the old Tiffany home
stead. which is estimated. with Improve
rnents. TO be worth some 5000
After week of work he came out with
a startling announcement 10 the erect
that he was in reality a millionaire, mat
he came from New York state. where his
father died and left 100000 to himself,
a brother and two sisters lie added mat
a scarlet fever epidemic In his town had
swept away the brother and sisters ana
the undivided estate had fallen into his
hands.
He declared that hs had made an at
tempt TO live life or luNurious ease
lipon his fortune, but unfamiliarity WIN
the ways of wealth and breeding made
Il irksome 10 him and he decided u" ne
come a country SQUIRE.
PROPOSED TO BUILD CONVENT.
He said he selected Attleboro because
A was pretty town. with plenty OF
NE and snap ia IL. and was near enough
To Providence 10 give him OCCASIONAL
metropolitan diversions. Then ne WORKED
a. iaborer on tho farm ne desired 70
buy. in order 10 learn by personal obsrr-
Nation Just what he considered II worth,
feeling sure that II he came as pur-
chaser in his real capacity as a million
aire fictitious value would be demanded
The family thought him "A fake, ard
were not backward about expressing their
opinions whereupon he sent for and
showed them bank books on leading
banking house OF New York and other
documents. which went To show that he
was quite a real estate owner in New
York city, and had railroad shares with
out number.
Suii suspicious they decided 10 play
she game as far as IL was safe. and they
went on with the arrangements AZ IL they
expected 10 turn over 20 him the deeds
of the farm. SO il went until week ago
SUNDAY, when he introduced a side issue
of considerable interest
He wrote a letter 20 Rev. Father Z. s
Niece OF 81. Stephens Catholic church
offering 90 found convent OF ~. ste,
phen's on the church grounds and erecl
heside II q memorial library In honor ~
his two sisters and brother. whose death
L ad filled his heart with erfef aud MS
vocke,s with wealth. lie wanted 10 pa :
$500 down az earnest of his intentions
and the balance in the form of part pay,
ments 20 the contractors who would be a
work on the two buildings.
Father MCGEE took no notice Of matter
~ .drst. thinking ID an odd offer from
8 man who attended service as farrr
hand. hut he received a second letter con
one dav las, Week This began TO take
more substantial look, and he fnduiret
into the mans history. learning prscu
csiIy nothing but what s told above
no LAGGARD IN LOVE,
He offered his hand to = young lady o
the neighborhood, and although he di'
no. ,n~.r might M ' have liked l'ser his talk aSou
wcalts I'D somewhat dazzle the maiden
and she discussed with him his briliian
schemes for their ife together ON the es
fie fortune would he well taxed to carr
them into execution.
The ARA sngemenis between Mr. Arme
and Macdonald went on and it was agree
that the land would be turned over 10 th
purchaser for s3n0ni cash, 10 he hande
Mr.. Armell IN the office Of the Industrta
Trust company IN Pawtucktt at the sam
say and hour that the convent promissor
r~t,--rr-.@-ell4-- IL Macdonald -Ai l
mcll and Father MCGEE were TO visit ~
place together. and Mi Macdonald va
10 draw sor money. which by that TIN
would be IN the hands " the baukin
house.
Hc then outlined his plans and besa
extensive correspondence with Contrac
crs and others regarding his estate
was 10 be completely laid out new:
splendid house was 10 bc started az
The old one used TO lodge The labOrcr
~ the estate II about two miles from q
sowr. The scheme Of Landscape arr0ng
p1ent ne made up was really artist