Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-30
GLIMPsEs OF RoTHscHllO.

< His Fortune Was Heavy Burden te Baron Alphonse. French Banker. The late Baron Alphonse de Roths- @child of Paris, head of the French branch of the famous banking house and governor of the Bank of France, was man of great culture as well as worthy representative of his family as a financier, says the New York Times. He was also interested in sports. particularly racing. There bave been two attacks upon : the French Rothschilds. The first was in 1e4s, when the father of Baron Al phonse. being besieged by peasant So-- cialists. received them and offered to give his visitors what was due should he divide his fortune among the peo- pie. He calculated that they should re- ceive francs each. The peasants left the old baron in peace.
 The second attack was upon Baron Alphonse It took more cowardly form. In September. 1895. a letter was sent to him containing an explosive that would go off when the letter was opened. The baron was at the seaside. and the letter was opened by clerk. Polish Jew. NJ. Jodkowitz. He was thrown down by the detonation. but not seriously injured. Curiously enough. Ms5odkowitz WAS at the time in eharge of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild's charitable disbursements. which bene- fited the deserving of all faiths.
 Notwithstanding all his wealth and influence. Baron Alphonse was an un- happy man. He found pleasure In his family life. in art and In music. but the care of his great fortune was a heavy burden. A visitor once found the bank CT in such moody At that he asked If he were i'll.
 T am not i'll: am crazy" was the reply.
 T will never believe that you are crazy until I see you throwing your money out of the window" said the visitor.
 "Ah.- said fhe baron, exhibiting threatening letter ''I am crazy be- cause do not throw my money out of the window"
 The baron had one strong supersti- ton which he could not overcome. and that was that the number l3 was un- lucky. When he was married he chose as his residence the hotel fin the Rue St. George. in Paris. which had been the property of M. Pescatore. The res idence bore the number .13. When the baron saw the number he refused to entef the house until it vas removed. When letters came addressed with the old number he refused to open them. and be offered i5.ooo francs to the mu- uicipalify. to be distributed among the poor. if the number were changed. The e6er was accepted. and "11 bis" was substituted.
 The baron lost an eye in 1893 while on a hunting expedition through the careIessness of one of his guests. Be ine . strikingIy handsome man. he felt the disbursement keenly and said he would, rather have had the top of his head blown of.
 Conelse Lecture ca Panama CasaL
 A good example Of conciseness In lecture is the discourse on the Panama canal delivered recently in Vermont town. says the Boston Record The lee turer was a drummer. and he had been holding fortt at the hotel oa Panama and the tropics to such an extent that the managers Of a church festival bit on the brilliant Idea of asking him tc tell the churrh folk about the canal The drummer sccrpted-he could not help It-and this Is his lecture on the Panama canal.
 ~As came into this church noticei a ditch in the street. evidently for va ter pipes or something Just imagine that ditch 2,se times as vide. coo times as deep and fcrry-seven miles lonx- And there you are Good night