Morris tribune., 1914-02-20
A S'lhIrgeWd
Business Deal
Though Questionable. 1t
Bespoke the Cen
tleman
BY F. A. mitchell

H.,
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
job of thinking.
The fact was evident that he must
come down from his exalted position
as an intimate associate of the en-
peror, a leader of fashion, pet of the
ladies and a general high fiier This is
what stared him in the face. But for
the present he was to the world the
same handsome, rich aristocratic Won
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 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, if for
nothing else. for his social position,
and it was quite probable that a 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 Won 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
ninety-nine 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.
81 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
friend? No. Having never been oblig
ed to borrow Il pfennig, he knew that
to do so BE- would injure that credit
which was now his only financial pos
session. With the instinct of true
financier. he stunned d 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 Hemmerstein's problem was too
difficult to be solved at once. He went
back to Nice and, acting on the prin-
ciple that only poor man can afford
luXuries-On credible informed his
landlord that ne was dissatisfied with
his rooms and removed to the most ex-
pensive suit ut the hotel. He did this
not only to keep up his credit, but he
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 he formed a plan
worthy of his genius.
+
while there is no intention here to adj
wOcate 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 a
risk on them, and there are instances
where a 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 Hemmerstein went to Paris,
There he sought a jeweler named
CheSeul, doing business on the Rue
de La Paix, and asked to see some val
udUAC SCB1S AlJGI lOOhluS ONGE q
number of stones he appeared to be
much pleased with ruby valued at
10000 francs. The 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.
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, M. Cheseul following
him to the door, rubbing his hands
ObsequiouslY.
The jeweler sent at once to the EN-
bassy for a report on Baron Gustavus
Carl Won n YnnnpStain Tho s,n,1Jvy we .