The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-30
SoNE Of THIN
HAVE ODD NOTIONS
MiIIionaires Who Do the
StrangeSt of Things.
ONE FRENCHMAN'S WHIM
Exchanges Places With His
Servants Occasionally.
ONE FRENCHMANS WHIM

The most eccentric millionaire in the
world is the Comte de S, one of the
! richest Of the old French nobility, who
has one OF the most magnificent houses
in Paris. Although he has in his veins
scme Of the noblest blood OF France. the
Conte has views of social equality which
may be described as revolutionary. lie
I insists on sharing all the advantages of
his wealth with his servants and tenants,
with the grotesque result that one week
/ he will be discharging his under-buuer's
duties while that functionary plays the
millionaire, and another week he VIII
summon one of his farmer-tenants from
! Ardennes or Somme to take his place.
while he himself shares the hospitality
OF the servants hall.
Among others of the worlds Million
aires there are many Of very curious
habits. The eccentricity of the late Prince
SIaviansh one of the richest OF the cars
subjects took an amiable in novel form.
Although he has more palaces than he
has fingers on his hands and was lord
OF over a million acres the eccentric
]
in a squalid corner of ST. Petersburg
and to dress as shabbily as any beggar.
It was his amusement when he walked
through the streets Of St. petersburg to
watch the sympathy or aversion his ap-
pearance excited; and when, as frequent
" happened, any charitable person,
moved By the spectacle of such poverty,
and misery. would slip coin into his
hand. the Prince invariably Swallowed his
benefactor until he discovered where he
lived, and would send or leave at his
house large sum OF money. a thousand
fold more than he had received.
Equally benevolent was the oddly of the
late Robert Arlington who in personal
appearance. manner and habits was
known as the most eccentric man in York
shire England. Although so penurious
as to earn the title of miser. Mr.. Arthing-
ton was prodigility itself to all forms Of
foreign missionary work, and while de-
nying himself a fire IN winter, he would
write a check for $4,000 to establish
mission among the Awemba tribes in Cen
trail Africa
Once he was invited to take the chair
at home missionary meeting in Leeds
in the hope of a princely subscription.
Mr.. Arlington tok the chair, made an
eloquent appeal and subscribed a shin-
ing.
OFF Brightlingsea England. for many
years has been moored a magnificent
steam yacht, the floating palace of a
well-known millionaire who is reputed TO
have an income of $4,000 a year The
is always ready to so to sea. but never
moved. Every day she is surrounded by
a hotilla of small boats. the occupants
Of which wait patiently for hours in the
hope that the mysterious owner of the
yacht viii show himself 70 them. beckons
TO one after another or the expectant
crowd and chatting with them. sends
them away-as an old sailor told the
writer-"with their pockets fun Of gold.
This scene has been enacted every day
tor no one knows how many years, the
greedy swarm of "cadgers" awaiting the
miliionaire's summons, a glimpse Of
stout black-hearded man emerging from
lis cabin. the summons on board the
yacht, the departure of the favored few
jingling gold coins in their pockets and OF
hoping for better luck tomorrow.
\ strange story OF wealthy American
who is living a sordid and wretched life
in Japan is his own choice is told by
DR. Barr. the noted alienist.
\ few years ago this man, handsome,
cultured and millionaire. vanished from
tie View OF the world in which he had
been a conspicuous object and made his
home among the "hanins the erave-dig-
gers and pariahs Of Japan-men who aye
little if at an higher in the scale OF
creation than animals.
Here. surrounded hy the low companions
Who <atte non his wealth. ne indu'ges
in the most remarkable eccent~fcites.
lie has had every square inch II his body
tattoood with various kinds of grotesque
and barbaric designs. wfich he exhibits
with pride 10 any whom be can induct 70
look at them. But the most astonishing
of his freaks is TO enlist a squad II japan
csc boys. al purchased from their parents
and make them fight against arr equal
number 81 trained monkeys dressed IS
Chinest soldiers. He perfectly reveis IN
these contests and in Or. Bsrrs words.
offers rewards to the boys TO urge than
on.