The Jasper news., 1907-01-24

enC |N0DkYx48u0 1uduplOM 6tAVAuG0r
When the other day the countess
lawyer denounced Boni as d .'monti:
mental spendthrlft" he evidently was
well informed, for the rapidity with
which the count showered money
and obligations for more moneyhas
perhaps never been eaualed.
There ID far more fiction than trut6
in the accounts Of the royal spends
thrifts of former ages. For instance.
the statement that Caesars supper
bills for four months were more than
95,000.000 sterling--or almost $685.
0,000-is : probably exaggerated.
Some explanatory notes are needed
| also with the anecdote OF Antony CIV
ing his cook town of $4,000 inhab-
itants. Next morning, very likely. An
tony rebuked him for falling to. take
| joke. But the case OF Count De Cas-
tellane is one of those modern in
stances which in a measure Is open to
the inspection of the world.
In classb Himself.
The modern spendthrift Is in a class
all by himself In nearly every in
stance he has developed his prodlgal-
| ity by sudden rise to large wealth,
wealth of proportions far exceeding
the dreams of the alchemists OF an.
other time. In the cases of the late
marqdis Of Anglesey and the late Max
Lebaudy. young men who received inn
mense estates by Inheritance, the lack
of restraint allowed them to develop
the most reckless extravaganza. Both
died very young, neither having the
! physique necessary for the strain. OF
throwing millions away.
Anglesey castle, in Wales. was
never SO charming nor SO gay as DUR
ing the brief tenancy of the young
marquis. Like Count Boni, he did
things handsomely, but 1t was his
own inheritance he was squandering.
Much of his wealth was layished in
an attempt to adorn his own slight
figure. In two years he spent $1,000
900 and was adjudged bankrupt for
sum considerably more than $1.000,-
900.
Wardrobe a Wonder.
Jewelry, gorgeous figured waist.
coats and private theater were the
principal avenues through which his
money disappeared. He gave $4,000
for single pearl and $3.50. 900 worth OF
jewelry was sold during his bank
ruptcy proceedings His wardrobe
was the envy of every dandy. He
owned 227 suits, 1852 waistcoats, 453
ties, 278 pairs of gloves, 100 overcoats
One of them of sable fur, which cost
| $5,000-150 pairs of pyjamas. 70 smok-
ing suits, 81 lounge suits--but the cat
alogue is entirely too long to be fol-
lowed. The sale OF his effects at the
castle occupied several weeks and was
agreeably divided. One day OF the
sale would be known as the day of
waistcoat poems, another as bath
gown day, and 80 on.
America has had Its share of gor-
geous spendthrifts. There are so
many of them that only once In awhile
one distinguishes himself by some freak
which compels attention. The first
of the magnificent money -spenders
was John w. Steele, still living In
Franklin, Pa. and known best as
Coal Oil Johnny" His reign lasted
but few months, but in that short
period-actually seven months--he Is
said to have squandered 100000.
Coal Oil Johnny was a<youth OF
20 when 1861 oil was found on the
farm which had been bequeathed to
him. Had he held on to his farm he
might to-day been one of the enyled
Standard Oil group, but he did not
rise to his opportunity. Instead. he
planned how he could cut dash with
the enormous sum paid him for his
property.
Unique Rich Men.
He began by lining his clothing
with bank notes. He pinned some or
his coat; he gave away notes.. he
lighted cigars with $40 bills; he
tipped waters with IS or $40 at 9
time; he hired the Continental hote
in, Philadelphia and boarded every
body free. Another time he had 6
bathtub filled: with champagne ant
took a bath in the costly liquid. HI
backed minstrel company: Ere
quently heshired cab, then he bough
1t and at the end of the day he pre-
sented It to the driver. One day hi'
bill at the Ghard house was $4,000
and there were days when he spen
as much as 100000. Now he 4