The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-11-05

applications, So imposed on and cojoled,
that it is not strange hat they grow cal
lous. Even Astor and Stewart, If they re-
sponded to all the calls upon them for aid,
would be %beggared in o twelvemonth. But
there is 80 little probability of their re-
spending that it is NOT needful 10 expend
any sympathy in anticipation.
THE PRINCE STREET oFFIcE.
Astor's office is in Prince street, Broad
way, n n story brick. with heavy shutters
that remind you Of a village bank. The
office has two rooms, and he occupies the
one, very plainly, even meagrely, furnish
ed, which he enters puuctually every morn
ing at ten O'Clock, rarely leaving his desk
before four in the afternoon. He is not
shut away, as Stewart Is. His back can be
seen by any one entering the office, and any
one can step in and see his face also. II he
be so minded. To those who pay him q
visit he is so chary Of words as to seem I'M
polite. !.
He usually waits TO be addressed, but If
he is not, he turns q cold face upon the VS.
itor, and says, "Your business, sill.
If it be an application for charity, IN
nine cases out OF ten he cuts off the sto-
] ~ btlDIN II II UNI AhAA "h'Af -
nothing for you, sir, aud esumes ms
work.
II 1t is an application for reduction Of
rent or for thu sale OF property, he gener-
/ ailynnswers "No, sir, - and relapsea into
silence, nom which It is difficult to arouse
him.
II he is annoyed by further speech.
saws CURLY and %brusquely: II am busy; |
have no time to talk and there the inter-
view ends. Few persons feel encouraged
to stay in his presence, which, to stmngers,
IL no more inviting than the Morgue at
midnight, or u tombstone on a winter 3
day.
Astor has none Of his fathers liking ior
trade. He deals altogether in real estate
and in leases OF property owned by Inulty
Church, a corporation worth SlOO, UOO, 100.
He has a wonderful memory. He can tell
| every square foot of property he owns, the
exact date at which each lease expires, and
the amount due ON It to a penny. He very
rarely sells any Of his property, but he Is
buying constantly, and viii he to his dying
day, though it cannot be many years before
he will be obliged to exchange all his val
liable sites and acres for a three by seven
lot in % corner OF Long Island. He scarce
" ever improves any Of his real IS safe. lie
buys It for IN advance, and let's it so only
when he thinks II has reachedi its maximum
rate.
PRIVATE %sIDENCE
Aston lives in Lafayette place, not far
from Astur place, IN u handsome, though
somewhat ~old-fashioned, brick house, adj
Joining the Aston Library. His residence
was built for and given to him 6yhis father.
Most fashionable aud wealthy people have
moved MP town, hut he Is conservative,
avcrse to change, and will breathe his last
under that ROOF. He is temperate in all
THINGS. and has always taken excellent care
of his health, but he likes II good dinner
aud a bottle of wine, and sits long at table.
He is not n very social or greglrious ma
turc, hut he gives elaborate dinner parties,
aud often has company at his house. On
a social occasion his plate IL the most mas.
siys, his viands the costliest, and his wines
the richest to be found IN New York.
aENEnAL APPEARANCE.
He is very fond Of walking, going from his
home to his Office and back almost invari
ably on foot. He is n tall man, fully six
feet. OF heavy frame, large and rather
coarse features, small eyes, cold and slug
gish looking. much more German than
American, nothing distinguished or notice
able about him, whom no one would sup
pose as old as he is byat least fifteen years.
He has u strong constitution aud is III Wig
orous health, and may see his hundredth
birth day. lie has two sons, John Jacob
and VIM. h. Astor, Jr., both Of whom are
as close applicants 10 business as their
father, aud several daughters all married
to wealthy gentlemen. Mrs. Aston, who is
the daughter of General Armstrong; James
Madisons Secretary of War, is a woman Of
culture and accomplishment, and lends
grace and dignity TO her husbands hos.
pitality.
IMP Al
William b. Astor's wealth cannot be &C
curately determined. He does not know
himself; but it is probably s65, 900. 600 Of
$40, 900, 900, perhaps $50, 10000 or $780,
OOO, 900. IL increases largely every yea
by reason OF the advance in property, aud
may nearly double in value before his
death. His income Is greatly dispropor.
toned 10 his fortune, because he owns
such a large amount Of u%nproductiye rea.
estate. He has much property that even
his sons know nothing OF, aud, like hli
father, seems unwilling TO have any one
understand the immensely Of his riches
II is said he is anxious to live to see how
many OF his investments will turn out
but at seyeuty-six that rare pleasure can.
not be forever enjoyed. j. II. g..