The Press., 1914-12-30
A ShreWd Business Deal Though Questionable, 1t Bespoke the Gen.
 tleman
By E. A. MITCHEL

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 Baron Gustavus Carl vOn 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 when he arose from the table not 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 em- peror, a leader of fashion, pet of the ladies and d general high tlier. This is what stared him in the face. But for the present he was to the world the same handsome. rich, aristOcratic NOn Hemmerstein he had always been. He well understood the value of credit. and it 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 advantageY Mdrrfage with h-a g g wealthy woman suggested itself as the easiest way out of the difficulty. There were a dozen rich SpinSters ill Berlin who would be glad to get him, if for nothing else, for his social position' and it 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 it down at once and went on with his deliberations.
 If Von Hemmerstein had been born A commoner and a 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
  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 "I will look for my money where lost it." he certainly acted upon tha principle. His ideas rapidly took shape ho fn 1 place at the gambling tables and vii back what he had lost.
 But how do this? Borrow from : friend? No. Having never been ohlig ed to borrow a pfennig. he knew tha to do so he would injure that credi which was now his only financial pos session. With the instinct of true financier, he summed field that would weaken him. To whom. then, should he turn? The answer was simple t' the tradesman who gives credit tC those to whom credit is believed to b' due.
 VOn Hemmerstein's problem was too difficult to be solved at once. He wen back to Nice, and, acting on the prin ciple that only a poor man can afford Iuxuries-on credit-he informed his landlord that he was dissatisfied witl his rooms and removed to the most ex pensive suit at the hotel He did thi' not only to keep up his credit. but h' could think and act better under tht influence of luxurieS. With this il view. he ordered expensive wines ant the most dainty foods. Under this ex hilarating influence he formed pla1 worthy of his genius.
 It was not a scrupulOus plan; but while there is no intention here to ad vocate dishonesty, how many of thu acts of ultimately successful specuia tors. at times when they are swampet with debt. are scrupulous? Some per son or persons must be made to take i risk on them, and there are instances where a rich man has knowingly len a poor man large sums with no Oth CT security than his confidence in hi creditors genius.
 Without giving up his rOOms-h would not have been able to pay hi biIl-VOn Hemmerstein went to Paris There he sought a jeweler named AubSGWls dUtIAS DuSAAlCSS Oh NhC AAh de la Paix. and asked to see some val uable gems After looking over ; number of stones he appeared to b. much pleased with ruby valued q 10000 francs. The jeweler kept bring ing out other stones. but failed to draw the baron from the ruby.
 "Monsieur,' sait the baron at last .'I wish to purchase the ruby. but do not wish to pay for it immediately I refer you to the German embassy which will give you a report on m. social position and advise you as t my credit. Kindly attend to this mat ter tomorrow afternoon, for will conn In at that time for the gem"
 Tossing his card on the counter. h, left the shop. NJ. Cheseul following him to the door. rubbing his hand Obsequlously. .-.