Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
MEMOIRS OF A MILLIONAIRE
Written for all men and women to whom the privilege of Americancitizenship has been vouchsafed, and to whom the stewardship ofwealth has been entrusted.
EDITOR’S PREFACE.
Since the recent death of the noble woman whosename has become a household word all over ourland, and whose memoirs form the subject of thisvolume, I have been repeatedly importuned to giveto the public some account of her remarkable life.
It is too soon yet to present an adequate biography,and for such a task I should consider myselfentirely unfitted. I have, however, endeavored,though somewhat hastily, to put together such material,chiefly selections from newspaper reports,letters, and diaries, as shall throw light upon thenumerous projects that were the outcome of herthought and generosity, and which in certain waysare unparalleled in the annals of those whosewealth has been devoted to the cause of humanity.
Cut off in the full ripeness of early womanhood,her work was nevertheless accomplished, and millionsshall in the ages to come reap perennial harvestsfrom the seed which in one short year herwisdom and foresight sowed far and wide.
viThe world at large will know somewhat of herwork; but only to those who knew her best, towhom she revealed the warmth and intensity ofher strong nature, can the full beauty of her lifebe known.
The constant, subtle charm of her manner, nowgracious and dignified, now unconsciously naiveand simple, only a master could portray. I mustcontent myself, therefore, with giving, in simplestwords, but a few of the many reminiscences thatmemory brings back of those moments which mayserve to make clear the thoughts and purposes thatwere the mainspring of all her action, and whichmade her