The Citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1903-1912, 1907-01-19
There is far more fiction than truth

There Is far more fiction than truth
In the accounts OF the royal SD a.
thrifts Of former ages. For instance.
the statement that Caesars supper
bills for four months were more than
G5,00O.OO0 sterling-or almost }25,
000,000-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-.
teiiane Is one of those modern in
stances which in a measure is open to
the inspection of the world.
In Class by Himself.
The modern spendthrift is in class
all by himself. In nearly every In
stance he has developed his prodigal.
| 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
marquis 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 II was his
own inheritance he was squandering.
| Much of his wealth was lavishe In
an attempt to adorn his own sight
figure. In two years he spent $4,000
900 and was adjudged bankrupt for
sum considerably more than $1,000..
00O
Wardrobe a Wonder.
Jewelry gorgeous figured waist
coats and a private theater were the
principal avenues through which his
money disappeared. He gave $4,000
for a single pearl and s250.000 worth OF
jewelry was sold during his bank
ruptcy proceedings. His wardrobe
was the envy of every dandy. He
owned 227 suits, 362 waistcoats, 453
ties, 27S pairs Of gloves. 100 overcoats
one Of them OF sable fur, which cost
s5,O00-150 pairs OF pyjamas, 70 smok-
ing suits, 81 lounge sults-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
|
gown day, and so on.
Reckless and riotous living and fall
ing into the company Of swindlers
we're responsible for dissipating the
millions OF the late Max Lcbaudy,
who, indeed. died of consumption be
fore all his money left him by his IA
Their, a wealthy French manufacturer.
had gone from him. He arranged bull
fights and private theatricals on an ex-
travagant scale. kept race horses. In
dulged In every freak which suggested
itself to him and gave his money to
Everyone who asked of his bounty.
Two brothers survive him and each
keeps his money on n quick move.
One of them fitted out an expedition
for the conquest OF the Sahara and for
the last three years has been loosely
alluded TO by European newspapers
as Jacques l., emperor OF the Sa-
hara," for so he styles himself The
other brother has spent some OF his
money on building gigantic airships
and one OF his inventions actually
made record flight
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 compols attention. The first
OF the magnificent money spenders
was John w. Steele. still living In
Franklin, Pa. and known best as
Coal OF Johnny" His reign lasted
but n few months. but in that short
ENTHUSIASTICALLY seven months-he is
said 10 have squandered 100000.
Coal oil Johnny was youth OF
90 when In 1861 oil was found on the
farm which had been bequeathed TO
him. Had he held on 10 his farm he
might to-day been one OF the envied
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.
lie began by lining his clothing
with bank notes. He pinned some on
his coat; he gave away notes; he
lighted cigars with SO bills; he
tipped wa srs with So or $40 at q
time; he hired the Continental hotel
In Philadelphia and boarded every
body free. Another time he had q
bathtub hned with champagne and
took bath In the costly liquid, He
backed a minstrel company. FREE
quently he hired cab, then he bought
II and at the end OF the day he pre-
scented II TO the driver. One day his
I. bill at the Girard house was $4,000
and there were days when he spent
as much as 100000 Now he Is
down and out and for 40 years has
had 10 pay with hard work for his
ELL.