The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-02-27
A Shrewd
Business Deal
Though Questionable. 1t
Bespoke the Cen
tlemap
By F. A. mitchell

~t*++$*+*******+
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
when he arose from the table not
person there suspected that he was
ruined. He sauHtered out into the
brilliantly lighted gardens, where he
did what an American would call q
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 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 1t occurred to him that there was
Il chance for him since the world did
not yet know that lie was ruined
But how should he avail himself Of
this advantage! Marriage with
wealthy woman suggested itself as the
easiest way out of the difficulty. There
were 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 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 subseivience to Il rich wife
He turned it down at once and went
on with his deliberations.
If Won Hemmerstein had been born
a commoner and business man he
would have displayed genius for
making something out OF nothing.
Quite likely lie would have distinguish
ed himself as 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.
IL will look for my money where
lost it." be certainly acted upon that
principle. His ideas rapidly took shape
i'm 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 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
financier. 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 Hemmerstein's problem was too
difficult to be solved ut once. He went
back to Nice. and. acting on the prin-
luxuries-on credit-he informed his
landlord that he was dissatisfied with
his rooms and removed to the most ex-
pensive suit mt 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.
1t was not a 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 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 jeweler named
Cheseul. doing business on the Rue
de la Paix, and asked to see some val
liable gems. After looking over
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.
81 wish to purchase the ruby. but
do not wish to pay for 1t Immediately.
refer you to the German embassy.
which will give you a 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. Cheseul following
him to the door. rubbing his hands
obsequiously.
The jeweIer sent ut once to the en-
bassy for report on Baron Gustavus
Carl Won Hemmerstein. The reply was
that the baron's social position was the
best. that he was known To be wealthy