Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-09-18
The MilliOnaire's Wife.
REMINIscENCE AND CHARACTER OF MRS.
VANDERBILT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CHARACTER OF MRS.
VANDERBILT.
Mrs. Vanderbilt, wife of Commodore
Vanderbilt, died last week. We find in
an obituary of her the following incident.
and character showing that Vanderbilt
had good partner in life, and that to
her influence probably was due much of
his success.
Somewhere about 60 years ago Cor
nelius Vanderbilt commenced life by
running "perianger" between Staten
Island and New York. During the day,
he piled his vocation, and, whenever his
duties permitted, visited his second cousin,
Miss Sophie johnson, then a young and
comely girl of 16, 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 ex-
hibited. 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
has 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 a
steamboat which piled between New
York and New Brunswick, N. j. At
the latter place, however, he was pro-
prietor 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 vo-
cation. One evening he arrived from
New York, and while sitting at supper,
said to his wife:
"Sophie, wish l had 5000, in addi-
tion to what have to buy shares in the
steamboat line; think it would be
good investment"
" Do you think so, Cornell? ?" respond
ed his thoughtful partner.
81 do" said he.
She said nothing more, but next day
consulted Mr.. Gibbons, and he advised
the investment. Next evening at supper
she accosted her husband thus:
. "Corneil, I've spoken to Mr.. Gibbons
about buying shares, and he approves
your idea, there's the $1,000: buy the
shares tomorrow"
As she spoke, she took the amount from
one of those old fashioned pockets that
used TO be worn under the dress, and
handed it to her astonished husband. She
had saved the money unbeknown to him
and it was probably this same money
that foated the Commodore into fame
and fortune. This incident shows what
the woman was. The money was wisely
sown, and, as is well known, the harvest
is great. The subsequent history of Mr..
Vanderbilt is the inheritance of all men
and though the part taken by his wife in
building up his immense 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 cheer
ing and courageous words to embark in
great undertakings, and, by her wisdom,
conduct them to successful issues.
In her home she was kind and amia-
ble-a true and faithful wife, fond
mother and firm friend. 1t was in the
sacred precincts of the family circle that
she was best known; it was there her
good qualities were most apparent and
most appreciated and now that she is no
more, her cautious counsel, her motherly
love, and bright face, beaming with good
nature, will be sadly missed.
Mrs. Vanderbilt was no ordinary wo-
man; far from it. Independently of her
position as the consort of one of the no.
table specimens of selfmade men, she
had inherent in herself elements that
raised her above the level of ordinary
women. She was just the woman to be
the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt; intel
ligent, energetic, of an ardent, hopeful
temperament, and withal kindly, moth
erly, and purely womanly. 1t is certain
that she relieved him Of all the care of
a large family, conducting her house
hold affairs well and wisely, superintend-
ing the education of her children, and
bringing them up in the way they should
go.
ALCOHOL AND THE BRAIN.-We all