Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 275, 17 October 1884, Page 4

The itothchiltlM Interviewed. One morning while T was m Londoii, I statted out for a walk. I had, heard, a., great deal about the fambus palace which the Rothchilds were building, and I went out oh this particular morning for the purpose of seeing it. I soon reached it, and through the kindness of the master builder was shown over it. I had finished my inspection, and was standing on the side-walk, gazing at it with undisguised ad.miration, when I noticed a gentleman^ a few feet from me, watching; the building. He was a fat, portly old fellow, with a good-humored face, m spite of his haughty look ; and I thought, from his appearance, he might be the contractor for the work, and I determined to accost him and gain what. 'information I could. 'Good morningy sir,' I said, approaching him. He bowed politely, -but without speakings '1 am a stranger here, 4 sir,\ I .went Minu i^have been looking, oyei* this Vuilding^and I would like to ask you for information concerning it! 'I shall be happy, to oblige you,' he said/ politely. He was very kind m telling me much that was of interest. : ... A t last. I abruptly said : j / \ 'I suppose you have seen Rothschild, sir? 1 . . - „Jv-2j * Which one ?* he asked. *The old cock,' I replied. 'I see the old cock every day,' he replied, dryly, giving \me a strange! glance. • v i 'By George, I should like to have a look' at 'him'! 1 1 went on. 'People; say he's a gay" old chap, . and, lives high." I- wish I had him m myj power; I'd, .not let him ; ge.t awayuntil he had shelled out a pile of his money.' . / v , The old gentleman burst into a laugh. ■■•: 'Baron Rothschild had to work for his money, and deserves to enjoy it j' he said at length, when he had got over his merriment. tf May be so^ I remarked ; but I reckon he did a heap of squeezing to get it.' The old man's face flushed. ' I never heard the honesty of the house called m question,' he said stiffly. \ \ ' Didn't you ? AVell, to tell the truth, neither did t. But I wouldn't be surprised if I'm right, after all.' ; . The old man's face grew black as a thundercloud and he bit his lip without speaking. • 1 People tell me,' I continued, riot heeding this, for I thought it was natural that the old fellow should be annoyed at anything said against his employes^; ' people tell me that ; the Rothschilds have made two ; fortunes. Now, as most people can only make one, I feel somewhat interested to learn the. manner m which this was done. Can you tell me, sir.V; ■-, ; , The old ; man's face brightened instantly, and he replied- smilingly, with more politiness than he had yet manifested : ' Certainly i sir. People do say that the house of Rothschilds made one fortune by being careful to mind their own business, and the dther by letting that of other people's alone. Good morning, sir.' With an elegant bow he turned, arid left me staring at him m blank amazement. I began to ' smell a rat;' and I looked for some one from whom to ask the old gentleman's name. He had stopped at the upper end of the building and was giving some directions to a workman. . ...';: . I saw a handsome man of, about 30. standing a.short distance; from me, looking at the building. I liked his face,, and I went up to him. ■'■ . - me for troubling you, sir^' I said, ' but I am a stranger m the country^ and would like to ask you a question.' ' I shall be liappy to give you any information m ihy power,' he said politely.' * you can tell me the name, ;of that old gentleman ?' Tasked, ; pointing to my sarcastic acquaintance. . I ' Certainly,* h6 replied: ; s « That is Baron Rothschild^ the head of the : house of the name.' Li^Wh'ew Pi; I:ex6laimed m astorii iishment;,.' l've got myself into a \ scrape then. 7 - v / ; ; : ' What is the matter ?' asked my I new friend curiously. ; Ijtoldhim what had occurred beitweeri the. baron and myself. He laughed heartily, and remarked pleasantly, when 1 had concluded : ; ' That was awkward.' . 'He's €i crusty old chap,' I said, considerably vexed. . . ' He's as cross as a bear.' : ' Oh, that's only his way,' replied my companion. , 'He is a good, kind-hearted man, but rather eccentric.- 1 ' " ■-'• ■ i. ■(•■ ■ ••■■• ' I should say so,' I- replied. The gentleman asked me a great many questions concerning America, and seemed interested and amused by my answers. " ' Do you; know Baron Rothchild ? :I asked at length. . 'I have met with him several times,' was the reply ; ' and I Bave an appointment to wait upon him at his office to-day.' .; > t Then 1 wish you'd say Jo; him,'. I went on, That \ did not know to whom I was talking to-day, or I would not' have said* so much ;' and : ; that he need not have been so huffish about it.' ' I will do so,' repiied my atqiiairttjince, laughing. * You must i not mind him. He was a little ; nettled at it, but will be the first to laugh at the adventure' when he recovers his good humour. Good ■ morning.'/ . t y } s