The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-08-05
HOLDING vANDERBILT's HORSE.

A Young man from an adjoining State, who
had recently been rescued from score of
hungry creditors, and who still has 4 credit
al his bankers of 800, O00 but who, not long
AGO, was in reduced circumstances and
obliged 10 live in retirement on Staten Island
makes the following solution Of his sudden
acquisition of a competency The gentleman
Holt by namc-was residing in one of the
fashionable hotels on Staten Island. This
was the reason Of his low spirits: About two
years ago he had married a very handsome
woman, on whom he fairly dotted. At that
time he had 81, 900 in cash. Soon after the
nuptia ceremony, Ilotremoved to New York,
and became IL broker on Wall street He
was too honest to succeed there.
The bulls and bears gored and tore him
linanciallV-and in less than a twelvemonth
nc had not Il dollar left. Disguised, he retir-
ed with us good a grace as possible, leaving
his cash to fulfill its mission. With wife and
child he went 10 the country, and finally, as
ten Island Ills wife had some means, and
She gave it freely for the support Of the fam
lily.
About two weeks ago, late in one hot after
noon. gentleman drove up to the hotel
where Holt was living, and grufly asked
whether there was II boy there who would
hold his horse
II win do it, sir said Mr.. Holt, and he
did hold the animal during the time consum-
ed by the elderly gentleman in obtaining his
dinner.
~ few days later, the same gentleman, driv-
inc the same horse, stopped at the same no.
lrl and hunted for boy again to hold his
horse. No boy being present Holt again
volunteered. lie held the horse until the
hostler came to take the animal to the stable,
and then retired within the hotel to dress for
dinner. Mrs. Holt had q way Of making her
husband get himself up very respectfully at
least once Il day, and that was for the dinner
hour. Usually he had been rather negligent
OF his costume. and since his financial fasco
had really become sccdy.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Holt entered the hotel
dnin@-roOm that evening, Mrs. Holt was re-
splendent. Her husband was at least dressed
in gcntlemanly style. At al. adjoining table
sat the elderly man whose horse Mr.. Holt had
on two different occasions had the pleasure
Of holding. The eyes of the elderly individ-
ual We're observed to dlate considerably In
fact, he stared at Mr.. and Mrs. Holt But he
said nothing at that time. After dinner, how
ever. he sought out Mr.. Holt aud bluntly
asked his name.
9 Holt, sir, at your service
And who do YOU think l amp
You are old Vanderbilt! | know YOU,
and the horse | have held is Mountain Boy,
IN animal any man might be proud to draw a
rein over"
Instead of taking offence at the epithet
"old," Mr.. Nanderbilt-for it was the Com
modore-secmed to like it, and he made some
inquiries about Hollis antecedents, took a
fancy to him, and pcremptorily ordered the
young man to make his appearance at his up
town Office on the ensuing forenoon at pre-
cisely II o'clock. Holt promised to obey,
did so, and had an interview Of over an hours
duration with the millionaire What was
done OF said on that occasion no one has ever
been able to learn But few days later
Holt made his temperance in Wall street
and specialized strongly and successfully in a
certain line of stocks known to be mostly
controlled by Commodore Vanderbilt So
well did he work his cards with the instruc-
ton undoubtedly obtained from the Commo-
dore, that in a few weeks he cleared over
100000 in cash which he deposited with a
prominent banking house whose vaults are
protected by burglar proof locks, and who
keep day and night watchmen expressly paid
to see that no unauthorized person tampers
with those safeguards. A few days ago Van
derbilt sent for Holt again, and said to him :
young man, I hear you have made some
money. / am glad to learn it; Now Just
take my advice second time. Never put
foot in Wall street again. You are not suited
for that atmosphere. Shun it as you would
the devil. You've got enough. Keep what
you have and be contented.'
Holt now shlms Wall street as he would a
pestilence