t
Ihousw
who want
no become
YEN tlir breach of piomlsp Milt heroine fades
I Into Insignificance beside another and particu
B4 I lar form of pcttlinats which pursues the mil
Jtf I llonalre.
A rcw years ago a romantic story nppcareu
In the newspapers. It wan of a great inul'l
mllllonalre who had befriended the family of a
Frenrh Canadian who hail been killed In a mine
I low ho took special interest In the bright llttlr daughter of
thp family, and writ her beautiful things and attended to her
education. It developed that thp littlo girl hail a special
talent for music, anil a voice whirl) nave rare promise of cul
tivation. The mnltl-mllllnnnire adopted her as his ward and
went her to Tails for musical tuition, and fim.lly one day. after
her beauty as well as her voice had developed to n perfection
which astonished her gunrdlan. hp put thp little French
girl Into one of the most prominent and dazzling positions In
the world by making her his wife.
Thousands Appeal to Millionaires.
After the story, which, of course, was that of Ada La, Cha
pellc. wlio became Senator Clark's bride, was printed the
I'lilted States mail Increased to an appreciable extent. At
the same time a half a hundred men obtained lucrative posi
tions with the most prominent of the philanthropic million
aires as porresH)iidlnK secretaries. The enormous quantity of
mail already received by them every morning Increased until
It could only be estimated 111 terms of weight and measured
by the ton. The advertising matter, already swept away by
the basketful. although in every instance opened because of
the chance of missing; an Important coinmunlcatlon, was In
creased 1 M i per cent, and purely from the contributions of the
proprietors of girls' schools, both musical and of other kinds,
even to the musical colleges.
A personal letter of suggest ion accompanied many of these
advertisements. " If you have no children desiring musical
education, have you not sonic ward In whom you are inter
ested?" Other letters rani" from private individuals, offering
themselves as musical Instructors to some young acquaintance
of the millionaire whose anti cedents and prospects had been
carofully looked up.
In addltli n to this th-re were endless theatrical usplrants.
and young women already i larted in the profession, who de
sired the financial hacking of a theatrical "angel."
Faith, hope, and Self-Confidence.
Although epistles of '.his kind increaseil the bulk of the
mnll to the most appreciable extent, the most varied Interest
was found In the letters from young girls, which arrived from
every obscure corner of the land. Three facts were estab
lished beyond doubt about an almost unlimited quantity of
Uncle Sam's daughters. Tirst, their guileless and trusting
simplicity; gicund, thrlr undoubted musical ability; and last,
but not least, their overwhelming desire to be adopted. It
became apparent that If but one-half of the appeals of tills
typo were heeded by each millionaire, the young person wi'h
wmmp&Ksujm w w
vvj y L ' - v i 1 1 1 v' I . w I w m. I " I f at nil ii i ii tin m. is j m -v i m i r. u , i . nm x. - r . tw v . - mm m rr' x a .1 !
zz::h'nt wm,M wonip ,he ur n la ) $ mi ? Vfl W Ul fi !j iff B 1MB vB
The most Interesting feature of the letter written by this j, X ( Q oA ' vft b L jM I I 1 )g 1 K IfAtt V?l
class of applicant is her absolute trust that hers Is the only I A IvA Vi r I U V1 &t fl L I 3'
letter of the kind w li'cli has ever been written, and that what k f (J" i I I I V ' 'L'fl M M"
she asks for will surely be forthcoming. Hhe lips faith, and 'A ' ) J ' t I f ( III I WA -l I I r.
In th,al quantity which, upon unimpeachable testimony, Is V . I il 'X 1 I -nXTVI d I VV 71 I ll Cf
great emaigli to move mountains, but about thp application V f &Jxm. i W rVCl ' V jl III I 1 I Hi f I h -0
of which slir is off upon a track of her own. She hna the V H' a " LflhiiX I. TlnL j W JVJ "'T'V-) -
sweetest of voices. Her friends have told her that it only V2J 1 M jc A 9 Vi Yi& I V?J .ri m fffif V" i S) ,y
needs culthiition and slie will become a diva. It Is her one ul I 1 fj lM illflli'?!! I "
1 'hi v 1 a
talent, w hich Is given her to do much with, and which she can
not cultivate on account of the restrictions worse always
than the pangs of poverty
How Another Plea Is Born.
" Why don't you write to Mr. Carnegie?' says one of her
friends. " It is the very hlng," is tUe enthusiastic advice of
another. 8he begins to think of It as i happy Inspiration.
Why not? He Is giving away endowments every day the
cost of the smallest of which would send' her to Europe, and
open tip a life for her which Is beyond her wildest dreams.
If he only knew of her he would be glad to help her. This
Is the point of view of the little girl apparently. At any
rate, she sends off a missive to the nearest newspaper office
to ask for his nddress, and the five thousand and ninety-sixth
letter g.vs to Skilio castle, Dumfries, Scotland.
Nearly always the letters of this kind bear testimony to
the fact that the concoclon Is a tribute to the saying that
two heads are better than one. Occasionally the letter, after
setting forth all the writer's talents, will express a slight
doubt of the propriety of the missive, us: "For a long time my
friends have been advising me to write to one of the million
aires," was the way in which one began. " My friends "
serves the purpose of the least embarrassing form of Intro
ductloni Only Russell Sage Escapes.
The reason for choosing the particular millionaire Is
sometimes given, couchod In terms of flattery, although In
most cases the true reason seems to be entirely that of the
greatest propinquity. Senator Clark has always been a target
for letters which were more or lesti akin to this special sub
ject from all the great west.
Mr. Hill's matchless generosity has made him the special
Interest of this class of young women In the northwest. Even
Rockefeller's scanty sympathy with any of the gifts which
tend toward lightness nnd frivolity have never protected him
from the Innocent appeals of this kind from the entire
country, and particularly from the great central and eastern
portion of It, which has Been the most of his career.
Education In any form is supposed to be sure of a favor
able response from him, whether It has to do with mission
ary work, instrumental talent, or the voice that Is to go
toward earning a living :y means of skirt dancing.
There are some eases In which these letters ask for a loan
und not for gifts. In such cases times without number Is the
matter looked up, and in more cases than is even guessed at
the amount Is forthcoming. This, however, is when the writer
shows such a definite plan for the use of the money, and
such evidently well defined purpose toward paying It back,
that sentiment is the least factor influencing the case. To
the credit of the borrowr and to the good judgment of the
philanthropist Is accredited the fact that many times these
loans are religiously repaid.
One of the latest cases in which Senator Clark has played
the financial part in developing musical ability, to the still
further Increase of the requests which are showered upon him,
is that of Evelyn Charland. She had read In the papers
that most of the senator's proteges were musical, and, as be
was an old friend of the family, her mother encouraged her
to work, with the hope Ihat one day he would befriend her.
too. She believed in the pretty liction enough so that she
worked, and worked, and never neglected her practicing, while
dreaming all the time of the great day which was in store
fjir her.
When she grew up. however, and the millionaire failed
to appear, there is no record of whether she sent a letter to
tell him of what had been her hopes and anticipations. What
she did do was to get a position In a church choir, working
and saving to get money together to take her abroad. Just
at this time the long waited prince appealed, and now the
young student Is in full possession of all the coveted oppor
tunities which Paris can offer.
Tills Is not the result of most of the musical letters, how
ever. Most of them show such a disregard of the first Idea of
the law of helping themselves that they arc passed up by the
secretaries.
Many Plead for Others.
There Is another class of letters which is not uncommon.
That is the one which Is written In behalf of somebody else.
Requests for help In bringing out pomeb idy's opera or ora
torio are sent, this apparently being the one paramount inter
est in the lives of thousands of women. Hcnign and busy, they
write to the devoted millionaire upon a thousand matters
other than love, and which are not Infrequently in the interest
of some protege of their own.
One of the commonest requests Is to ak If he would not
like to adopt some baby, of which they can give the compbte
family history. One and i:ll of these missive!- are based upon
some romantic notion of their own which they have woven
from what they have read about the generosities of the mil
lionaire. One evidence of the ignorance of the world to
which they are writing which these Correspondents usually
betray is In. the fact that these epistles aie almost invariably
marked "Confidential." There is plainly the Idea Ihat an In
tercepting secretary will prevent the lclt.'f going to its goal.
The fact that these arp tlip kind of all other that are left
unreservedly to the secretary, because of the evident purpose
of the confidential label, is entirely overlooked
SS9S 0SSS 9SS99
i - l
GERMAN authorities and the government at
I Berlin are startled over the fear that the
H mm I dreaded " American duel " will take the place
I of the German duel. Startled by the develop
ment of this most deadly form of dueling, a
form which menns certain death to on of the
combatants, the authorities are taking steps to
prevent any more such contests.
The recent outburst of German Indignation against the
" American duel " was caused when a young engineer, an
American, with his wife and four children, died together as
the result of one of these duels.
The story Is one stranger than fiction. Alfred Fletcher,
a young, handsome, and rapidly rising young American, for
twelve years engaged In engineering wairks for his. company
In Germany, especially on electrical development in the west
ern provinces, with headquarters at Berlin, quarreled with
Lieut. Frits von Markhelt of the German army.
Re'iected Suitor Threatens Girl.
The quarrel arose over the wife of the American engineer,
who was, before she married the young engineer, Fraulein
Eninia Nisbauni of Magdeburg. Although her family was of
the middle class, lur beauty and her talents as a musician
made her a belle of Magdeburg, and even young men of the
nobility and students who w 1 re m mbers of wealthy families
nought her hand In man-lane. Von Marklieit was one of
these. He knew her as a child, but when he came to manhood
and secured a commission In the army after a brilliant course
In, the military schools, he returned to Magdeburg to dazzle
hi old friends.
Instead he was dazzled. He gazed upon the beautiful girl,
and. In his pride and arrogance, he claimed her for his own,
even before be had met her. For a time. It seems, the girl
vim pleased at the attentions of the dashing, bard drinking,
dare devil young lieutenant. Then his arrogance and his
vanity chilled her and she turned from him. refusing his offer
of marriage and telling him she would never wed until she
found liie man she loved.
The young man, his vanity piqued, bis pride hurt, strodo
from lur and then he declared that If she ever married
uuothir man that man should answer to him.
Only a, short time after that he was sent to West Africa
on duty. Then he wais transferred to China, and served
through the boxer troubles.
American Wins German Beauty.
In lsM Fletcher came to Magdeburg to plan the work on
a new electric railway for his company. He saw Emma Nis
biium. The courtship was swift and passionate. They loved
at find sight, and. when the fall came the young American
engineer claimed his German bride and they were married
und went to Berlin to live.
Their life was a happy one. despite the fait that the panic
In electric stocks and the years of hard times that followed
cut down their Income and kept them from amassing thvlr
fortune. Besides, children came. The year after the mar
riage little Emma was lsrn, und, two years later, came Fritz,
then Curollne, and, In Juno of last year, Greta. So, year after
year their cherished plun of a visit to the husband's home
country the wonderful America beyond the sea was post
poned and the company refused to call Fletcher home.
The beauty which the young woman of Magdeburg prom
ised, ripened Into a glorious w.en inl'ood. and although they
lived In an unfashionable o Klihorhood uu, within their lim
ited means, her beauty and tint blrikiag prettiiuss of her little
brood of children attracted attention L'nter den Linden and
Nib MPliir ?w
VllSSC tp M 4 Jl li ill seen the world. He was a harder drinker. 11 faster liver, more I '"T '1ff l V If
yffofrf""yL.. frfS f ffm'8 arrogant than as a boy. Within a short time as he rode gal- i M 1 Hfc' xjr""! 1
fr F-""it ''''if loping down through the I lawn Helde toward the parada jj QSStnL i V J V
yrviw J! ' $$tf l ii ) aiound of the garrison at Berlin, a little boy ran from Ids I Mjjjfr V I M
jf f&'iUit fl ')' li ju' I M Ul j mother, and, clapping his hands, cried: ! BlMlTV T
jfr V.ftntiliii. lVq f P lv "O. mother, see the handsome soldier." tf ! M! .ttfgQ'
3fiJi?0WVwJA Sl ill l- Von Markhelt. swinging In his saddle, smiled at the boy llfTi ijltff " 1 fo'A t U"'
FC--Wr4i!''l ft? llfo 1 ' i and then, glancing up, he saw the motlier. and with a Jerk he " H' " j
r, aV.'Fi"i''Jlfi'i T'i I?lLiMS !rT lln.B hlu hnrm on hlu huunoh,.a lining l lha ri-,noi,l and I
If
in the parks, tihe was known to few people In society, but
scores who passed her in their carriages sighed for some part
of her wonderful complexion, her glorious jet black hair, and
her eyes and her (iguru. .
Veiled Threat Against Husband.
Three months agq Fritz von Markhelt returned with his
regiment 10 Berlin lur home duty, lie was a man. lie had
came toward the mother.
" 80 you are married?" he asked, pointing to the children.
" Yes."
" My congratulations to your husband, and tell him I will
call on him." said the soldier, leaving her frightened and
quivering with anger.
That evening, when Fletcher came In from his work on the
new electric line, his wife told him the story. He frowned
angrily at the presumption of the man, then, kissing his wife
gayly, he told her: " Never mind, motherkln. he merely talks.
Hut he would better keep out of my way or something will
happen to him."
German Insults American's Wife.
The following Sunday afternoon the something happened.
Mrs. Fletcher was walking with two of her children and the
nurse was wheeling the baby In Its little perambulator when
Von Markhelt stepped before her and Insisted upon walking
with her. She consented In order to avoid a scene, but treated
him coldly.
Before they had gone half through the park Fletcher ap
peared on the scene and looked curiously at his wife's com
panion. " This is my husband. Lieut, von Markhelt." she said.
" Alfred, Lieut, von Marklieit was my friend as a boy."
The men bowed stiffly.
" Yes," aald Von Markhelt. twirling his mustache und
sneering. ' We were great friends' years ago. She was
my "
Before the Insulting word had been uttered Fletcher's
fist descended upon the lieutenant's mouth, staggering him.
Park polioe ran from all directions and dragged the in
furiated men apart.
Fletcher, writhing under the gross insult to his wife, used
his influence among American and German friends to secure
n opportunity to further avenge himself. His friends called
jpon friends of the lieutenant, who explained that a German
army officer could not fight a civilian, especially a foreigner.
insisted on meeting
" Tell him then that 1 shall publicly slap bis face every
time he crosses my path," responded the angry husband.
Agree to Fight "American Duel."
Twice they met. once in a restaurant, once in the foyer of
a theater, and each time the American made good his threat.
Each time lie was urrosted and heavily fined.
Ills method of procedure, howa'ver. served to break down
German dueling rules, and. stung by the repeated Humilia
tion. Lieut, von Marklieit declared his willingne.
ill) the American.
Desuite bla wife's entreaties, Fletcln
the German. A meeting was arranged.
Von Markhelt. sneering. Insulting, overbearing, added
the grossness of his insults.
tvrhHiiK lie would like to light the American duel?"
suggested.
The American style would Just suit me." replied Fletcher
angrily. "I'd like nothing better than settling It with lists,
or with revolvers at leu steps, both advancing."
The Interiuedlari.-s explained to him that In Germany tho
affair called the American duel consists of drawing lots the
unlucky one being in duty bound to kill himself.
" I'll light him that way." declared the angry
" It will save nie the trouble of killing tin
"Good." sneered tile lieutenant. "lb
1111,1 I will have bis beautiful wife," and 111
strong men held Fletcher back from him.
Grimmest Duel of a Century.
So It was arranged. Hirangely enough, w hen Fh teller s
wile heard of It she told lar liuslMtud thai lie was rigid, and
she declared that fate could not be so d uel as to condemn him
American.
snake."
will kill him. If
sneered again as
to death, and that Justice would decide in his favor and rid
them of their enemy.
The drawing was made in a room at the Stechen, one of
the most famous beer halls of Berlin. There were three Amer
icans, Fletcher and two friends, and with hlui also was a
German army officer. With Von Marklieit Were three officers.
The six seconds adjourned for a moment, having tho
duelists sitting together at the tuble. They returned a mo
ment later with a box In which were two balls of equal size
one black, the other white.
In the midst of the gay crowd the grimmest duel of tho
century was fought and no one uulslde of the eight in the
little booth at one side knew what was happening.
Fletcher was cool and gazed scornfully at Von Marklieit,
who was pale and shaken by the ordeal, but under good con
trol. " Draw," said Cupt. iOhrsling, holding the box with the
two halls In It above his head.
Von Markhelt hesitated and trembled, half raised Ills hand
to draw, and then dropped It to his side, shaking visibly.
Dramatic Scene at Drawing.
" Draw," said Capt. Ehrsllng, inclining his head toward
Fletcher. The American reached his hand Into the box. closed
his lingers over a ball, drew It out, and, still concealing it.
ktood calmly watching Von Marklieit. who still trembled.
" Is It the white or black?" he asked weakly.
" Draw, you cur. and find out," said Fletcher.
Stung by the contempt of bis adversary. Von Markhelt
stepped forward, drew out his hand, and wilh a groan of Joy
und relief held up the white luill.
" I have lost." said Fletcher quietly.
Capt. Ehrsltng, his face working wilh emotion, stretched
out his band. " You are a brave man." he said. " Cannot
we let this matter drop?"
" Impossible." said Fletcher quietly. " 1 will die."
The party broke up quickly. Fletcher wulkcd with his
friends towards the little home In Hitler strasse. bidding them
a quiet farewell as he started on his hint tramp towards home.
But bis greatest trial was to conic. He had still to t 1 1
his wife.
What happened In that little house cull only lie guessed.
There were signs afterward that the wife had broken down
utterly at first and sobbed wildly. Then she rallied, ktccnmu
culm, and she evidently led the planning of w hat hup iidl.
Six Die as Result of "Duel."
The next day six bodies were found in the house. The
children seemed a If sleeping peacefully. The father and
mother, clasped In each other s arms, looked happy.
They had taken (Miisou. The little note that Ihc.v left ex-
laincd it ail. The wife had insisted that she and the vhildrcti
should din with the father rather than tw left at the mercy
of Lieut, von Markhelt. They had Wept over Utile Greta, but,
without money, without a father, with a merciless man ready
to persecute the mother, with fate aeemlngly against them,
they thought the little ones would be better I'fT.
I. hut. von Muiklielt rvolgiied front the army two days
after the affair. The wave of Indignation that rau over Berlin
was too much for him. Ills friends declare he did not mean it
all and that lie Is half crazed w ith horror at the thought of tho
icxult of his actions.
Metalline the German police arc striving ill every poi-sidle,
manner to prevent " A no l lean dm Is." Tilt y arc loo ,1. .oily
for the duclllN of Ilia iiidii .
