Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-05
VANDERBILT.
How He Treats His FRIENDSHIP
business Advantages of sons and
-SOns-in- .a xE.---

/ AA1AAOSS - EeAkNe&AH 6 VI SOILS ant
| From Medbury's new book on Wal
street mysteries we extract the following
The newspaper belief that Vanderbilt
never "goes back on" his friends is no
generally assumed to be true by brokers
There is tradition that in wears gone
by, when the Commodore used to ride
down to the old homestead on Staten
Island, he would now and then meet a
man who courteously offered to hold his
horse. Something in the appearance OF
the stranger struck Vanderbilt, and he
inquired into his history. He had been.
it seemed, broker in stthe street." and
having failed badly, had decided to follow
Horace Greeley's recommendation, and
take to country life.
eff you will come to the city | will
start you again, :" said the King of Cen
| trail. 800
| Nobody could be more grateful than
the Staten Islander. He returned to
Broad street, acted upon the Commo-
dore's hints, and in due time began to
prosper. Brokers soon had faith in this
protege of the great man. They watched
his movements at the Board, and bought
and sold in accordance. f93 III @
One day the Commodore was planning
a large operation. In came Blank, seek
ing for point, Sim buying,n said the
railway lord.
Blank buys bravely-the street follows.
Presently down slips the stock, and the
Staten Islander is henceforth a 'lame
duck" zone of the Commodore's stool
pigeons" is what the irate brokers chose
10 name him.
Similar incidents, trustworthy or other
wise, are narrated by the dozen. 70
Horace Clark, MIR. Vanderbilt's son-in-
law, was always favorite with the stately
old gentleman. The current gossip about
his marriage Is not lacking in amusement.
Clark was high-spirited man, even
when poor. Having decided to wed the
young lady, he called upon his future
father-in-law, and, without preliminary,
began:
Commodore, wish your daughter in
marriage"
''Hey2" quoth the money king.
Clark repeated his words.
You mean you want my money!
growled Vanderbilt, from his chair.
"You and your daughter be DID,
famed out the young lawyer, as he
clenched his hat in his hand, and turned
to leave the room.
"Hold on, young man." said Wander |
bilt, Strengthening himself on his feet and |
looking wonderfully suave and paternal, |
'hold on, rather like you. l didn't say |
you should not have my daughter. You /
may have her. rather like you, young
man."
Clark never did get much of the Com
modore's money, except in indirect ways.
He had shares in speculafons, and was
always well supplied with points. Once
Vanderbilt proposed to ''use" him. Clark
Ost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He boldly told his father what he thought
IF it, and after while the losses were
made good. This habit of utilizing every
body has been exercised, if we may trust
'umor, on nearly every member of the
'amily. William Vanderbilt is credited
With having been favored in this way.
One day his father came to him and sug-
rested that he had better sell Hudson
10 was too high.
''fhank you, said the son.
Nevertheless, William concluded to
ook about him first. The stock kept
tcady, with ups and downs of fractions
If one per cent. By peculiar ways it was
discovered that the elder Vanderbilt was
)uying quietly.
William determined to follow suit Up
umped the stock to 1877. 1t was clear
IS per cent in pocket.
When the operation was concluded,
he Commodore rode around to the sons
Dffice.
swell, William, how much did you
Csc 2"
81 went in at 10 on 10000 shares.
That ought to make me $3.50, 600"
every bad luck, William" quoth the
ather, trying to look extremely troubled
very bad luck this time.
'But then bought and so made
"Hey? What sent you doing that,
ir?"
so, heard that was your line, and so
that you meant long instead of
hort"
"Ahem y croaked Vanderbilt 10ere, as
lie buttoned up his fur oyercoat and
talked out of the door, He always had
high opinion of William since that
vent. r-....