Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1911-11-30

Many poorer man than Russell Sage
has spent greater amounts for an
evenings advertisement. But the hard
eyed old fnancier didn't do business
on the charitable plan.
Transaction Typical Of Sage.
One may recall that he let his wife
yearn for years after velvet carpets.
But he did finally tell his relative he
might have what money he needed
under certain conditions In the end
Elizur Sage asked only $50, which
was sent him, and in return he gave
Russell Sage a mortgage on his place
to guarantee this enormous sum.
The newspapers got hold of the
story at the time, and as result a
New York museum proprietor offered
Elizur Sage 5000 a week to appear
with his son in the museum as the
man who had succeeded in borrowing
$50 Of Russell Sage The nephew
never appeared and the experience
has made him bit chary of news
papers and museums. That they told
only what was true of his rich rela-
tive has not softened the sting.
But in the end Elizur Sage got his
$5O,000-all his own, to do with as he
pleased-and there was no Russell
Sage alive to ask mortgage There
Is more tragedy In this than may
crop out of white paper and black
ink. There is here the ruin of youth,
the wrecking Of hopes and enjoy
ments. In the end there is prosperity
when the age for such things is past,
when the ability to enjoy is dead.
Ell ,ur Sage was 50 years old when
the legacy came. ~ - y
II might have acted different Il I
had been, younger" he said, "but I
wasn't no young man any more and
1 guess havin' little money didn't do
much like maxim me crazy"
Neither did it make him happy. In
all the things Elizur Sage says Of his
gift gold there is no trace of any gen.
ufne enjoyment He is more secure
than he was, but that is all. He isn't
sure that his money has made him en-
Joy life more.
Sage did not sQuander his money.
"A bit Of native shrewdness is 70
sponsible for the fact that the sharp
ers haven't It all. 4ks
Sage invested at least a large part
Of his legacy in land
He still has the land, incumbered or
otherwise and it has appreciated.
Wealth. Fails to Bring Happiness.
He is neither happy nor satisfied.
7 went into the war at 49," he said.
In beginning his story. ''and was in
the service until I was 16, In the first
Chicago Board of Trade regiment.
Captain Sexton, my commander, was
afterwards postmaster in Chicago. On
leaving the service went back to my
father who was in VIII county. I'LL
nois, IN little town. He was acar-
penter and I learned this trade from
him. He also owned farm. At 90.
In 1869, went to farming on his place
and stayed there till 1872 or 4 1878.
when my father died and the estate
--as divided. Then l ran q little
grocery and meat market for about
I'VE years and then came to Indiana
and rented a farm Then for year 81.
!: was back on farm IN illinois again.
and In 1890 came back here to In.
diana I've been here ever since"
Sage was more than WILLING to say
1 that previous to- the coming Of thu
$4,000 he had been absolutely poor.
'.No..,eI had nothing In those days
but living. I was happy and care
less then" he said. " 'othins worried
me. When I got done with q hard
days work I slept That was all there
was TO It It was good in way-uo
cares and nothing. guess I Wa 1ust
about ssT we'll 4of. 6 AS long az anys
body has his healm I suess he's sboui
C happy 40 he can be made
What happened whom you cot the
MONEY!" was asked.
Welt The ,shrst pthing, sit put me-
into 90 PET . trouble. Frisnds I