Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-02-20
: A ShreWd
Business Deal:
Though Questionable, 1t
Bespoke the Gen. ,
tleman
nxx y ATITNHEV
By r. A. mitchell


Baron Gustavus Carl Won Hemmer.
stein, said to be the handsomest man
In Berlin, went to Nice to get rid of
the winter and while there concluded
to run over to Monte Carlo. He spent
ten days over the gambling tables, at
the end of which time, one evening
about 10 o'clock, he had gambled away
the last pfennig Of his fortune. The
baron had excellent self control, and
person there suspected that he was
ruined. He sauntered out into the
brilliantly lighted gardens, where he
did what an American would call a
job of thinking
The fact was evident that he must
come down from his exalted position
as an intimate associate Of the EN-
peror, leader of fashion, pet of the
ladies and general high flier. This Is
what stared him In the face. But for
the present he was to the world the
same handsome, rich, aristocratlc Won
Hemmerstein he had always been. He
well understood the value Of credit,
and 1t occurred to him that there was
a chance for him since the world did
not yet know that he was ruined.
But how should he avail himself of
this advantage? Marriage with a
wealthy woman suggested itself as the
easiest way out of the difficulty. There
were a dozen rich spinsters In Berlin
who would be glad to get him, IL for
nothing else, for his social position,
and IL was quite probable that con
fession of the state of his affairs would
not with some Of them stand in the
way. But this scheme was not to the
baron's liking. He preferred independ-
ence to subservience to rich wife.
He turned 1t down at once and went
on with his deliberations.
If Won Hemmerstein had been born
a commoner and business man he
would have displayed a genius for
making something out Of nothing.
Quite likely he would have distinguish
ed himself as a promoter He looked
upon the financial part Of ones life as
ninety-nlne hundredths Of It, for born
aristocrat that he was, he realized that
without means his blue blood would
be as red as that Of other peoples.
Whether or no he had heard the state
ment of certain resolute business men,
II will look for my money where l
lost IT," he certainly acted upon that
principle His ideas rapidly took shape
in raising the wherewithal to take his
place at the gambling tables and win
back what he had lost.
But how do this? Borrow from a
friendp No. Having never been oblig-
ed to borrow a pfennig, he knew that
to do so he would injure that credit
which was now his only financial pos
session. With the instinct Of true
flnancier, he Stunned a field that would
weaken him. To whom, then, should
he turn? The answer was simple-tO
the tradesman who gives credit to
those TO whom credit Is believed to be
due
Won Hemmersteln's problem was too
difficult to be solved at once. He went
back to Nice, and, acting on the prin-
ciple that only a poor man can afford
luxuries-on credit-he informed his
landlord that he was dissatisfied with
his rooms and removed to the most ex-
pensive suit at the hotel. He did this
not only to keep up his credit, but no
could think and act better under the
influence Of luxuries. With this in
view, he ordered expensive wines and
the most dainty foods. Under this ex
hilarating influence ne formed n plan
worthy Of his genius.
II was not n scrupulous plan; but,
while there Is no intention here to ad
vOcate dishonesty, how many OF the
acts OF ultimately successful specula-
tors, at times when they are swamped
with debt, are scrupulous? Some per
son or persons must be made to take n
risk on them, and there are instances
where rich man has knowingly lent
a poor man large sums with no 9th
er security than his confidence IN his
creditors genius.
Without giving up his rooms-he
would not have been able to pay his
bill-Von Hemmersteln went 10 Paris.
There he sought jeweler named
Cheseul, doing business on the Rue
de la PAX, and asked to see some val
liable gems. After looking over
number OF stones he appeared to be
much pleased with a ruby valued at
10000 francs. Tho jeweler kept bring
Ing out other stones, but failed TO draw
the baron from the ruby.
Monsieur" said the baron at last,
II wish to purchase the ruby, but !
do not wish TO pay for It Immediately.
l refer you TO the German embassy
which will give you report on my
social position and advise you as TO
my credit. Kindly attend to this mat
ter tomorrow afternoon, for will come
In at that time for the gem"
Tossing his card on the counter, he
left the shop, NJ. CheseuI following
him TO the door. rubbing his hands
obsequiously.
The Jewcler sent at once 10 the en-
bassy for report on Baron Gustavus
Carl Won Hemmersteln. The reply was
that the barons social position was the
best, that he was known 10 be wealthy
and that NJ. Cheseul would ~, justified
In giving credit for the prIce OF the
gem. But the embassy would not be
roonnnoihIn fn. ouy ,u. I,N na.o., .,a.,