Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-27

exact specifications of the will, Will.
lam b. Astor took on himself to rec
tiiy some of its palpable errors and
omissions.
'My father has done you great in
Justice" he said to Fitz. Greene Hal.
leck, the former friend and secretary
of his father.
"In what respect" asked the poet.
Leaving you only 5000 annuity"
"He paid me for all the services
rendered him and | had no additional
claim on him"
81 think you have claims on the
estate" pursued Mr.. Astor, "and as
mark Of appreciation of your past
fidelity | have raised your annuity to
81 800.
"Thank you, thank you" spoke up
this noble and gifted son of song, and
he could say no more. The closing
years of his beautiful, but sad life
were by this act of timely libcrality
lifledsabove care and his pathway to
the grave strewn with pleasant flow
ers.
"You saved large amount Of prop
erty in China for my father" he said
TO a sea captain who had been in his
fathers employ, for whom he sent
soon after the latters death.
eyes, your fathers agent died, :"
answered the sea captain, "the prop
erty was imperilled on this account
and | saved it and turned over TO your
father 100000"
"And he never paid you anything"
"Not q dollar"
an pay you," and he filled out a
check for $4,000 and gave it to the
sea captain.
The minor bequests of John Jacob
Astor and additional sums given away
by William b. Astor absorbed about
S2,000,000 Of the estate. The rest
fell TO William B. Astor.
THE Aston LIBRVRY.
The original fund for funding the
Astor Library, as is well known, was
500 600, Of which 100000 was to be
expended in the site and building,
Sl20,000 in the purchase OF books, and
slSO,000, the remaining sum, perma-
nently INFESTED as a fund to maintain
and increase the library These stipu.
lations of the will Of John Jacob Astor
were fully completed with. On Lafay-
cite place a massive building Of 50
feet front and l20 feet depth, OF chaste
but beautiful design, whose huge
arched doorways and windows were
in tasteful keeping with the grand
purpose to which il was to be dedica-
ted, was speedily erected. 1t is un-
necessary to dwell on the ceremonies
Of its opening-to call TO mind the
nlnusi-f- ..-aar.. 90 49, = -5---.e.i -.---'' --.
Of that happy man and genial scholar
and writer, Washington lrving-to
call up from the shadowy past the
forms of others revered for the beanty
of .heir personal character and lives.
who were present on this memorable
occasion. IL was a noble beqest, and
the public appreciated it as such. 1t
might thus have stood an enduring
monument of the wise and liberal
benefcence of its founder.
Mr. William B. Astor was not sat
isfed with its resting here. He saw
the vast good it was accomplishing. He
forosaw its greatly benefcent results
in the future Discerning the rapid
growth OF our city and the splendid
destiny in store for our great CONNER
cal metropolis. He had the means
to perfect the unfinished work, and
was amply endowed with the requi.
site public spirit and bengvolence TO
do Il. The public know the result.
lie put upan adjoining building Of the
same magnitude and on the same plan
at cost Of nearly sl60, 600. He eXpen
ded about $4,000 more for books He
added $4,000 TO the fund for mainte-
nance and the gradual Increase of the
library. He expended nearly $4,000
in steam heating apparatus for the
buildings. The grand total OF expendi-
ture and money invested has now
reached the magnificent sum OF S156,-
93l as, making the moneyed coutri-
buttons thus far of William B. Astor
nearly equal 10 those of his father.
The probability is that Mr.. Astor will
not stop here. The library now num-
bers 139, 600 volumes, and the alcoves
will not admit of many more addi-
tions. 1t is said that Mr. Astor has
expressed a purpose of adding still
another building of the same size as
those already built, and thus providing
still further for the increasing wants
of our rapidly increasing population
for the millions of people that at the
commencement of the next century
will inhabit Manhattan Island. We
must be pardoned the above familiar
details in regard TO this library, but u
is the one great work Of public beneh-
conce in which the subject OF our
sketch has heen popularity identified,
and for promoting the interest OF
which he has revealed brond and
Iimporishable philanthropy II is al.
ready the most valuable library OF
reference in this country. 1t is his
wish and aim TO make IL as valuable
as any in the world.
HIS OFFICE, BUSINESS HABITS AMI
WEALTH,
A one story building in Prince street
lust out Of Broadway, and first floor OF
The house adjoining constitute the Office
OF Mr.. Astor. Here, aided by only tive
or three clerks, he transacis all bus
immense business. Mr.. Astor is here
regularly ut ten A. m, and remains til
two D. m. He walks from and to his
house. He occupies the rear room
IL is plainly furnished. business i'
attended to promptly. Hc know'
every inch of real estate that stands
in his namo, every bond, contract anc
lease. BY attention to his business
and iudicious investments he hat
largely increased his fortune. Some
estimate il at 100000, 600 The sub
oct is one upon which he is said 20 b'
very roticcnt, even TO his most init
mate friends.
BEGaARs, BENEvOLENcE AND BLACK
MAILING.
Like all rich mon Mr.. Astor is be