The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-08-27

Dutch seaport of Katwykaan Zee, at the
mouth of the Rhine where no was not long in
engaging passage for London. Here, in his
brothers mandatory, he went to work at
once but worked MS hard in learning the
English language a. in making musical in
struments, so that In six weeks time he could
speak il sufficiently we'll to make himself un-
dcrstocd, though to the day Of his death he
could not rid himself Of the German ac-
cent.
In September, 1888, news of the peace be-
tween Great Britain and the colonies was
published in Europe, and young Astor i'm
mediatoly made preparations to cmigrate to
the Old World. He paid twenty-five dollars
for steerago passage to Baltimore, saved the
same nmou 1T 70 serve him After arrival, and
the balance Of his earnings in London he
paid to bis brother Tor seven German flutes,
taken with him on speculation.
A characteristic story is told of the future
merchant on the voyage. Towards its close.
while they were weathering fearful storm
at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, he sud-
denly appeared on de- in bis best suit of
clothes.
"What does this strange freak mean p
one of the passengers asked, smiling at the
singular sight, though all were expecting
moment.rily that tho vessel would go to the
bottom.
"Why,' said he, eff save my life, it will
probably be all that shall save, and it will
be in my best clothes. If perish it is no
matter what becomes Of them"
His coolness and foresight when Others
were wild and forgetful with apprehension
could not be better illustrated. Years after,
it is stated, after a disaster befell him
through the treschery and mismanagement
of others, he attended the theatre on the
evening OF the day in which hc received the
news, aud no one would have known of his
trouble from anything observable in his
manner.
On the vessel, young Astor had made the
acquaintance Of German, who few years
before had emigratcd to America and had
made considerable money in trading furs.
A.tor became interested, learned all he
could pertaining to the trade, and resolved
to engage in it. His first thing to do on ar
irving in New York was to find employment
in fur-dealing house, and thoroughly mas
ter its details, beginning his labors at two
dollars week and his board. Here he be-
gan to amass new knowledge about furs, and
the habits and retreats of flr-bearing ami
mails, questioning all who came in with
skins to sell, a. many Of the hunters did in
person.
He only staid with his employer until he
had mastered the business, and then began
for himself He had during this time, how
ever, made ono voyage up the Hudson, and
across the unsettled country to Lakes George
and Champlain, and finally to Montreal
where he proved mora than match for the
shrewd Indians, and brought back repu-
tation for "driving hard bargain" which
he always retained.
In 1885, in a small store on Water street.
Mr.. Astor's first entrance into business took
place. His store was furnished with a few
toys and notions which would prove attract
i've to Indian eyes, and there he began
"dickering" for skins. His entire capital
consisted Of only few hundred dollars
part Of which had been loaned him by hi
brother. IL ere he bought, beat, cured anC
sold skins himself, having no assistant, anC
made several journeys on foot during thu
year through Western New York, buyin!
skins from trappers, settlers, sayages, o
wherever he could find them. He also KEEP
a few musical instruments from his brother
store in London, he being the first person t.
establisha a musical instrument store in New
York.
His wife, married shortly after he entere
the business world for himself, had a thoi
ough knowledge of furs, and entered heart
ly into business with him, for long tim
doing much of the buying and beating AM
assisting him materially in many ways.
After while Mr.. fAstor found he ha
quite lot of unstable furs on hand, such {
beaver and other high priced ones. Az
cOrdingly it was not long before he found
necessary to 90 to London with them, as h
had no agent there to consign them to, II
, went out as steerage passenger, fearing tn
result might prove unsuccessful but on h
arrival his venture was crowned with mo-
success than the most sanguine would hay
prophesied. Beaver skins which had bee
, bought from the trappers in Western Ne
York for dollar sold in London for six do
lars, invested in English goods, netted hi
| ten in New York The reader will readi
, see what an immense margin of profit W
here open.
3 As though this was not sufficiently pror
Using, Mr.. AstOr during his rambes abo
! London, waiting for the vessel to sail on h
return to New York, visited the East Ind
house, and incidentally asked one of Il
8 porters the name of the governor. The mi
. replied giving familiar German name
Mr.. AstOr.
"Is he an Englishman" inquired n
Astor.
, "No; he came from Germany when qui
) a small boy"
st Mr.. Astor was satisfied he was an old {
9 quaintance, and entered his presence aski
% him.
=, "Isn't your name Wilhelm? And {
a you not attend school at Waldorf whel
Is boy ~
'e 81 did. And your face is familiar.
ought to know you we'll. | remember y
is now. Your name is Astor."
n The two then had a long chat on sch,
20 matters, &c, and two days before the YES
ID sailed, the two having met several times
IN governor asked him;
ut "Will you accept any present IN,
at you~
N Mr.. Astor, seeing the gentleman's earnt
&c ness and good feeling, finally responded t
h. he would; and so when he called to bid
ID governor goodbye, the latter quite ailec