A Peddler, Then a Millionaire

The millionaire Baron Empain, builder of Heliopolis, has died — at the very moment when he was waiting on burning coals for the outcome of the efforts being made to permit his return to Egypt.

The Baron tasted the most grinding poverty in his father's lifetime, when his father allowed him a monthly stipend of ten pounds — so that at one time he was forced to work as a street peddler, selling soap in Paris!

When his father died, the Baron became one of the ten richest men in the world, and made his name in the night clubs and the salons!

The Baron loved women and food... but his stomach was not strong enough to digest, and so it delighted him to watch people eating ravenously; he would stand observing them in longing and regret!

It happened that his health declined, and the doctors advised him to cut down his evening parties. He said:

— Impossible. I want to live every moment of my life.