The Shasta courier., 1868-10-03

ous coI hame was the nrst on his lip In child
hood, and the last in death. And SO woman
Is the morning and evening star of life."
Renaissance of the Late Mrs. Vanderbilt.
). Somewhere about sixty years ago, Corne-
lius Vanderbilt commenced life by running
periauger" between Staten Island and
New York. During the day be piled his vo.
cation, and, whenever his duties permitted
visited his second cousin, Miss Sophie John
son, then young and comely girl of sixteen,
who also lived ON the island. Perhaps it
was the outburst of his first love that made
the young sailor so ambitious, and inspired
him with the energy and enterprise he has
always exhibited. Certain it is, however
that the cousins married, and old folks who
knew them then speak with delight of the
handsome pair, for they were admitted to be
the comeliest couple Staten Island had ever
produced. 1t is unnecessary to trace the
Commodore from the time he was ferryman
until he was promoted, or, more properly,
promoted himself, to the responsible position
of Captain of steamboat which piled be-
tween New York and New Brunswick, N. j.
At the latter place, however, he was proprie-
tor of hotel, at which passengers from New
York to Philadelphia used to take meals, and
occasionally nights rest. 1t was kind of
halfway house. His wife superintended the
hotel, while he was engaged in his active
aquatic vocation. One evening he arrived
from New York, and, while sitting at supper,
said to his wife:
Sophie, | wish had five thousand dol
lars in addition to what | have to buy shares
in the steamboat line; l think it would be a
good investment"
''Do you think so, Cornell ?'' responded
his thoughtful partner.
:" / do" said be.
She said nothing more, but next day con
suited Mr.. Gibbons. and he advised the in
vestment. Next evening at supper she ac-
costed her husband thus:
1--WE spoken to Mr.. Gibbons about buv.
ing shares, and, as he approves of your idea,
there's the five thousand dollars buy the
shares Tomorrow"
As she spoke, she took the amount from
one of those old-fashioned pockets which used
to be worn under the dress, and banded it
to her astonished husband. She had saved
the money unbeknown to him, and it was
probably the same money that foated the
Commodore into fame and fortune. This in
cident shows what the woman was The mon
ey was wisely sown, and, as is well known,
X
of Mr.. Vanderbilt is the Inheritance of all
men and, though the part taken by his wife
in building up his great wealth cannot be
made public, yet it is safe to say that with
him she bore the burden and heat of the day,
and melted him by. her cheering and coura-
geous words to embark in great undertakings,
and, by her wisdom, conduct them to sue.
cessful issues
In her home she was kind and ami.ble-
true and faithful wife, fond mother and
firm friend. 1t was in the sacred precincts
OF the family circle that she was well known
it was there her good qualities were most ap-
parent and most appreciated and now that
she is no more, her cautious counsel, her
motherly love, and her bright face, beaming
with good nature, will be sadly missed.
Mrs. Vanderbilt was no ordinary woman
far from it. Independently Of her position
as the consort of one of the most notable
specimens of self made men, she had inherent
in herself elements which raised her above
the level of ordinary women. She was Just
the woman to be the wife:of Cornelius Van.
derbilt; intelligent, energetic, of an ardent,
hopeful temperament, and withal kindly,
motherly, and purely womanly. 1t is GER
tain that she relieved him of all the care of
large family, conducting her household af
fairs well and wisely, experimenting the ed
ucation of her children, and bringing them
up in the way they should go.
She was the mother of thirteen children,
ten of whom are living, and three lie beside
her in the tomb; and she was grandmother
of about forty children, of whom thirty-one
survive her. Take her all in all. it would be
hard to find her like in these degenerate days,
and she is bright example to the rising gen
Grafton of women, of what a woman, a wife,
and a mother should be. A high and holy
authority states that the days of the right
eous shall be three score years and ten and
she died full of years, full of honors, and
deeply and widely mourned.