The Model Millionaire
- Oscar Wilde
“The Model Millionaire” by Oscal Wile first appeared in the newspaper The World in June 1887. It was published as a part of the anthology, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and other Stories. The story deals with various themes like generosity, appearance vs reality and class consciousness.
The plot revolves around Hughie Erskine, a charming but poor young man. All he had was one cavalry sword and a ‘History of Peninsular War’ in fifteen volumes. He received two hundred pounds a year from an aunt. He tried many occupations but failed to achieve success in any profession. Hence, he was jobless with a perfect profile and no profession.
Hughie was in love with Laura. Her father was a retired Colonel who had served in India. He demanded Hughie to have at least 10,000 pounds before getting engaged to Laura. Since he had no money, he was unable to marry her.
One day on his way to meet Laura, Hughie went to his friend Alan Trevor’s studio. Hughie found Trevor giving finishing touches to the portrait of a beggar. Trevor was working on the picture of a wrinkled old man wearing tattered rags, holding out a battered hat for alms. Meanwhile, a servant informed that the frame maker wanted to speak to Trevor. When Trevor went out, the (model) beggar relaxed. Hughie pitied the beggar, and gave him a coin and left to meet Laura. Laura scolded him for his generosity.
Trevor had a hearty laugh when Hughie met him later that day. Trevor explained to Hughie that the old man whom he thought to be a beggar, was Baron Hausberg. He was one of the richest men in Europe. He had commissioned Trevor to paint him as a beggar. Trevor also said that he had told him about the love story between Hughie and Laura. He also informed that the Baron was impressed with him. Soon after, Hughie feeling ashamed and angry went to his home.
The next morning, a messenger came to Hughie’s house saying that he had come from Baron Hausberg. He had brought a cheque of 10,000 pounds as a wedding gift to Hughie and Laura. Soon their marriage was solemnised in which Trevor became the best-man and Baron made a speech at the wedding breakfast. Alan remarked, ‘Millionaire models are rare enough but model millionaires are rarer still.’ This story illustrates that how a simple act of love and generosity can make a greater impact in one’s life.
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