The Model Millionaire

The model millionaire, by Oscar Wilde



The story is about a charming and good-looking man called Hughie Erskine. He was very popular and he had every accomplishment except that of makingmoney. He had inherited a calavary sword and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes. He had tried everything: he had gone on the Stock Exchange for six months, he sold tea for a little longerbut that didn’t answer. So he became a man with a perfect profile and no profession.

To make matters worse, he was in love. The girl was Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired colonel. Lauraadored him and her father was very fond of him, but wouldn’t hear of any engagement. He said “come to me, my boy, when you have got ten thousand pounds of your own and we will see about it”.

Onemorning on his way to Holland Park, he dropped in to see a great friend of him, Alan Trevor. He was an excellent painter. When Hughie came in, he was putting the touches to a wonderful picture of abeggar-man, and they started to talk about pictures and models.

After some time, the servant came in and told Trevor that the frame maker wanted to speak with him. Hughie and the model beggar wereleft alone: the beggar rested for a moment and Hughie decided to give him a sovereign and some coppers. The old man smiled and thanked Hughie.

When Trevor arrived, Hughie left. He spent the daywith Laura. Then he had to walk home. He strolled into the Palette Club where he found Trevor. They started to talk about the picture and then Alan told him that the old beggar was very interestedon him, and that he had told all his story to him. Hughie got angry because he didn’t want his friend to tell everything of him to that beggar. He told Alan that he had given to the old man a sovereignand some coppers. His friend started to laugh, and told him that that man was Baron Hausberg, a millionaire. Hughie couldn’t believe it! He felt like a fool for giving that rich man a few coins....