summary of the story The model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde
Answers
The Model Millionaire" is a short story by the Irish author Oscar Wilde. It first appeared in print in the newspaper The World in June 1887. It was published again in 1891 as part of the anthology Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories.
The story concerns a young man who, although he does not have much money himself, is moved to pity by the sight of an elderly beggar who is posing as a model for his artist friend. Although he can barely afford to do so, the young man gives the beggar the largest denomination coin that he has in his pocket. The young man's act of kindness has unexpected positive consequences for him.
Plot
The protagonist of the story is a young man called Hughie Erskine. Hughie is handsome, charming and popular but he has been very unlucky as far as financial matters are concerned. He was left nothing of any great value in his father's will. He has tried his hand at several different businesses, all of which have failed. Having no job, Hughie's only source of income is two hundred pounds a year which is given to him by an elderly aunt. Hughie has fallen in love with a young woman named Laura Merton and she loves him in return. Laura's father, Colonel Merton, is fond of Hughie but, due to his poor financial prospects, he does not want the young man to marry his daughter. He has often told Hughie that he will only allow him to get engaged to Laura after he has earned ten thousand pounds.
Hughie goes to see his artist friend Alan Trevor. He finds that Alan is painting a portrait of an old man who appears to be a beggar. The old man is wearing a tattered brown cloak and boots which have been mended many times. He has a rough walking stick in one hand. In the other hand, he is holding out an old hat as if to ask for money. His face is heavily wrinkled and he looks extremely sad. Both Alan and Hughie agree that the old man is an excellent subject for a painting. Hughie, however, cannot help feeling sorry for the man. He thinks it is unfair that, although Alan's paintings regularly sell for two thousand guineas, he only pays his models one shilling an hour to pose for him and does not give them a percentage of the money which he makes from sales of their portraits.
When Alan leaves the room, Hughie looks in his pockets. He finds that the highest denomination coin which he has is a sovereign. Although it means that he will have to economize more than usual for the rest of the month, Hughie gives the coin to the old man, who appears very happy to receive it. Hughie leaves soon afterwards.
Alan and Hughie meet up again later. The artist tells his friend that, after he left, the old man asked several questions about him. Alan goes on to say that he told the old man all about Hughie, Laura Merton and the condition which Colonel Merton set that prevents their marriage. Hughie is unhappy that his friend told "that old beggar" all about his private life. The amused Alan tells Hughie that the old man he was painting was Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe and someone who often buys Alan's paintings. For reasons which Alan does not really understand, the millionaire baron had asked to be painted as a beggar. The tattered clothes he was wearing were supplied by Alan. Hughie feels ashamed about having given a coin to a millionaire, although Alan tells him not to worry.
The following day, a representative of Baron Hausberg comes to Hughie's house with an envelope. The writing on the envelope says that it contains a wedding present "from an old beggar". Inside the envelope, Hughie finds a check for ten thousand pounds. Hughie and Laura get married. Baron Hausberg attends their wedding.
Hope it helps
Hughie Erskine was a good looking man . Hughie Erskine was the best looking gentleman in London. he had curly brown hair, grey and handsome face . he also had many friends .
Hughie Erskine did not have much money . his father had been an officer. when he died, Erskine won a lot of books from his father but no money. he had tried to do some jobs, but he could not.
Hughie was in love and wanted to get married with Laura Merton, a daughter of an army officer. the officer didn't take the laurels hand for Hughie , but if he has 10,000 Pounds the father will give to him Laura's hand.
but he did not have 10000 pounds ! he could not win 10000 pounds. every week he won 4 or 5 pounds from his old aunt. Hughie had a friend called Alan Trevor. alan was an artist who painted pictures of people . he was a good Artist and it's quite famous. many people wanted him to paint their pottery. Alan pictures where very expensive. one day, Hughie visited trevor in his Studio when he was working in a painting. Alan ask to Hughie about his new painting and his model, old beggar. the man was sad in old clothes. alan was saying the beggar was wonderful. what Hughie said it was not cool. alan replied saying of course he is sad I cannot use a Happy Model. Erskine ask how much you are giving for this old beggar? and the painter answer not much only is Shilling an hour . you did not like the idea to give a little money for the beggar model. he give to him all his money. the beggar did not understood why he did it. Laura, ask him the same question now we cannot get married because you gave all your money for a beggar. said the woman who stop later that night, Hughie set Alan at palette club. they had a talk. Hughie found out from alarm that the model was actually not a beggar man but a millionaire name Baron hausberg. Hughie went and happily whereas alan laughed happily.
the next morning, a messenger from Hausberg came and brought him a letter. the letter contained a cheque for 10000 Pounds which was a wedding present to Hughie and Laura from Baron hausberg . on the day of the marriage alan trevor what is the best man and the baron made his speech at the wedding breakfast.alan said " Millionaire models are there in a coma but model Millionaire are still rarer".