Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-05-14
Vanderbilt.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE OLD COMMODORE.


From Medbury's new book on Wal
street mysteries, we extract the follow
ing entertaining erpOae of Vanderbilt
methods of circumyention
The newspaper belief that Vanderbilt
never "goes back on" bis friends is not
generally assumed as true by broker.
There is a tradition that IN years gone
by, when the Commodore used to ride
down 10 the old homestead on Staten
Island, he would now and then meet
man who courteously offered 20 hold his
horse. Something in the appearance Of
a stranger struck Vanderbilt, and he it,
quired into his history. lie had been il
seemed broker, in the street." and
having failed badly, had decided to fol-
low Horace Grecley's recommendation,
and take to country life.
"lf you will come to the city I will
start you again." said the king of Cen.
trail.
Nobody could be more grateful than
the Staten Islander. lie 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 watch
ed his movements at the board, and
bought and sold in accordance.
One day the Commodore was plan
ing a large operation. In came Bllrk.
seeking for point. "I'm buying" said
the railway lord.
Blank buys bravcly-the street fol-
lows. Presently, down slips the stock,
and the Staten Islander is hencetor b "a
lame duck" zone of the Commodores
stool-pIeeons" is what the irate brokers
chose to name him.
Similar incidents trustworthy or other
wise, are narrated by the dozen.
Horace Clark, Nanderblt's son-in-law,
was always iavorite with the stately
old gentleman. The current gossip about
his marriage is not lacking in amuse-
mcnt.
Clark was high spirited, even when
poor. Having decided to wed the young
lady, he called upon his future tather-in-
law, and without preliminary, began:
"COmmodJre, wish your daughter in
marriage"
"IIcy?" quoth the money king.
Clark repeated his words.
"Iou mean, you want my money!
growled Vanderbilt, from his chair.
"Gou and your daughter be id, y
famed out the young lawyer, as he
ccnched his hat in his hand, and turned
to leave the room.
"IIold on, young man." said Wander
bilt, Strengthening himself OH his feet.
and looking wonderfully suave and pa
ternal, "hold Oh, rather like you.
did not say you should not have my
daughter. You may have her. Irather
like you, young man."
Clark never did get much of the Com
modore's money, except in Indirect ways
He had shares in speculations, and was
always well supplied with points Once
| Vanderbilt determined to ''use" him.
Clark lost hundreds of thousands of dol
lars. He boldly told his father what he
thought of it, and after a time the losses
were made good. This habit of utilizing
everybody has been exercised, if we may
trust rumor, on nearly every member OF
the family. William Vanderbilt is cred
tied with having been favored this way
One day his father came to him and sug
geSted that he had better sell Hudson
10 was too high.
"Thank you," said the son.
Nevertheless, William concluded tc
look about him first. The stock was
kept steady, with ups and downs of trac
tions of one per cent. BY peculiar ways
it was discovered that the elder Wander
bilt was buying quietly.
William determined to follow suit
Up jumped the stock to 1877. 1t was ;
clear 2G per cent. in pocket.
When the operation was concluded
the Commodore rode round to his SON:
Office.
"Well, William, how much did yor
lose 2"
81 went in at ITO on 10000 shares
That ought to make me $500, 0,0oo-"
every bad luck, William" quoth tn
father, trying to look extremely troubled
Every bad luck this time"
''But then | bought, and so made"
"Hey? What sent you doing tha
sir ?'
'Oh, I heard that was your line, an'
so concluded that you meant long instead
of short"
"Ahem I" croaked Vanderbilt pere, a
he buttoned up his fur overcoat anC
stalked out of the door. He has Away
had high opinion Of William since tha
event.
SouTH AMERICAN SURGERY. The fo