Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1869 — How the Greatness and Wealth of the Laboucheres Was Created [ARTICLE]

How the Greatness and Wealth of the Laboucheres Was Created

A rather apocryphal account is given as to how the greatness and wealth of the Laboucheres was created. The father of the late Lord Taunton, a clever young clerk, by an innocent stratagem got a rich wife and a partneiship in the then first banking house in the world. Being clerk to the Hopes, of Amsterdam, he was sent over on a confidential mission, to.the house of Baring, in London. Being plentifully supplied with a quality which the vulgar call “cheek,” he asked the great Mr. liar] ing for the hand of his daughter in marriage. The millionaire was dumbfounded at the youth’s assurance, and when he had recovered his breath he asked him how he could think of a daughter of the Barings marrying a penniless young clerk. Young Labouchere, nothing daunted, said: “But suppose I was a partner in the house ? ” “Oh,” replied Mr. Baring, “that would be a very different matter.” The aspiring youth posted off to Amsterdam, and ipt mediately asked the author of “ Anastasi” for a share in his business. “ What,” said the great man, “ yon a young clerk:of only two years*'standing, to be made a partner of Hopes, of Amsterdam! Nonsense.” “ But, said young Labouchere “ suppose I could get Miss Baring for a wife “ Iq that case,” replied Mr. Hope, “ the thing might be practicable." And ,in that way it was practicable, as, by thus playing the two great men, one against the other, the young clerk got a rich wife and a siiare in the great hank, and- thus was' founded the noble house of Taunton.