AN OLD ARISTOCRAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 10

AN OLD ARISTOCRAT

POVERTY BRAVELY FACED MEMBER OF FRENCH NOBILITY. From a position of association with members of the nobility to the job of selling newspapers on the snow-swept streets of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is the story of Stanley Vnile, more correctly known as Vicomte du Valient, descendant of the old French nobility. i Thirty years ago Stanley Vaile left England, where his branch of the family had settled, and went to Canada to test his fortune in the New World. He did not possess the family title at that time, but there is evidence to-day that he is rightful heir to the title and estates of a descendant of William the Conqueror. In the law office of Alexander Morris, an Edmonton barrister, lies proof of the aged newspaper salesman’s identity, and an attempt is being made to turn the slowly-revolving wheels of th-i courts of justice to bring the poverty-stricken nobleman his ancestral heritage. To-day Vaile is 60, and he lives in a small room where he cooks his own meals. He ekes out a living by selling newspapers on the street corners, but he has every reason, according to his lawyers, to believe that the fates, who have kept him from his rights for nearly 30 years, will soon smile on him again. His French ancestors were related in bygone days to William the Conqueror. On bis mother’s side of the family he is connected with Sir Charles Collett, a former Lord Mayor of London. The vicomte’s mother, two brothers, and two sisters are wealthy. They are unaware of his poverty, and one of the main obstacles preventing him from obtaining his share of his father's estate is his firm rcsolvve that his family shall never know of his plight. He was educated in the most exclusive schools in England, and tutored by a private instructor. As a youth he became restless and tired of the life of a young gentleman of prospects. Then he spent some years “knocking about London.” “My story is one of hard luck,” he told an interviewer, “ Until this year I have lived fairly comfortably, but a few months ago all my possessions were destroyed in a fire in Northern British Columbia. After that I was in hospital for several months, and now I am right up against it." . During the time he has lived in Canada—always known as Stanley Vaile —the vicomte has been ditch digger, farm hand, railway employee, store manager, store proprietor, homesteader, and now newspaper salesman. He was head of a department in an Edmonton store for several years, and was also connected with a furniture store in that city for some time. “No matter what happens now -1 11 never change my habits,” he remarked. “No matter how much money 1 may get from England I will always smoke 10cent tobacco and stick to the simple lilfe. The title never meant anything to me>, and my father used it only rarely. What matters now is making a living. On the street corner the nobleman newsvendor is noticeable for his polite and dignified approach to possible customers. He has become a familiar figure on the Edmonton streets.