The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-22
TOO CONSCIENTIOUS HEIRS.
People VINO Have Refused to Accept
Fortunes Left to Them.

People VINO Have Refused to Accept
Fortunes Left to Them.
1t il safe to assume, Notwithstanding the
fact that human nature Is probably less
black than generally painted. that the world
contains very few men who would refuse
the bequest Of a fortune for conscience
sake-fewer by far than men who have
turned away from wealth in order to es-
pouse women Of their own choice.
Herr j. Brengwin, a young German bank
clerk, is one Of the few who have set con-
science before cash in this ma nner, say the
London Ti-Bis. For some years Herr
Brengwin has been employed at a modest
salary in q branch bank in Berlin, and re-
Gently he became entitled to a fortune Of
very nearly floo. 900 under the will Of an
uncle Of whom he had scarcely ever heard,
and who had made him his sole heir.
Naturally enough, the young a was
delighted by his unexpected stroke Of good
luc X and. resigning his clerkshsp, he re-
paired to Vienna, where his uncle had lived
and died, TO take over the estate, the ulk
Of which was personal property. BE;
his fortune by usury and that his name
had become a byword in Austria, the oon-
~scientious heir absolutely refused to accept
a penny Of the estate, resolutely returning
to Berlin and getting himself reinstated on
his old stool at the bank:
What war perha pc the largest fortune
ever refused for conscience sake was that
from which Frederick N. ~Charrington, the
famous temperance advocate and religious
worker in the East End Of London, turned
aside. Mr.. Cha rrington vas entitled to a
one Of the largest in London; and it is
estimated that the share he refused was
worth sl ,25O, 900 when he made up his mind
that he would not accept 1t.
The story is told OF how he was led TO
make his momentous resolve. He Glanced
to be sta nding outside a public house In the
East End when he say a drunken a shot
through the doors into the rms Of a wretched
looking woman, who was patiently waiting
him. The drunkard struck the woman and
heaped the vilest abuse on her WITHOUT any
apparent provoca ton; and as they slouched
Mr.. Charrington, CHANGING to glance
up, saw his own name in large gilt letters
on the public house sign. 1t was one of the
brewery'e tied houses.
Such was the impression left by the in
cident upon Mr.. Charrington's mind that
he vowed thenceforth TO have no share in
the trade which was productive Of such
results, but instead to devote himself to
the cause Of temperance and rescuing the
outcasts Of Fast London. a work he has
at the utmost seh-sacrifioe steadily pursued
ever since.
How much do they pay you for wearing
bit Of blue ribbon?' sneeringly INQUIRED
an impertinent young men Of Mr.. Charming
ton on one occasion. /
AS nearly az ] a make out, answered ,
the reformer, with a bland smile, 1t costs
s20,O 900 q year"
Some eight or nine years ago a we'll known |
West End physician died. leaving a torture |
OF rather more han f4o.Nn0. The whole
Of this amount was ~bequeathed TO a nephew
contingent remainder to certain chart
ties should the beneficiary refuse the heu1est
the object Of the testator being TO deprive
a daughter. who had married contrary to his
Of his estate.
The nephew, however, although the
lortune must have been q sore temptation to
him, objected to being made an instrument
Of HE uncle's poethumous spite. and an
his intention OF refusing the fortune
firectly he wa made aware Of the terms
VI the will. Upon IL bsing pointed out to