The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-17

There were very few things that
the late Commodore Vanderbilt had
set his mind upon obtaining that he
did not obtain at some price. But
it was equally characteristic of him
that be properly estimated the val
nc Of what be wanted, aud what il
the minds Of many might be regard,
ed as reckless was nothing but the
result of sbrewd calculations on bis
part.
The following il enc Of the best
illustrations:
Whea the several railroad trunk
lines were cited before the New York
Assembly % Albany u testify ia
regard to certain freight ring opera
tons, the general freight agents Of
the respective roads were deputed 10
appear as expert witnesses. The
general freight agent Of the Erie
road being absent, his assistant was
sent 10 his stead; he was a young
mac, brought up from a boy il the
employ Of Erie. and thoroughly con
yeTssnt with ,ae %Intficacies Of rail-
road ireighiing. The witnesses were
called ia their order If coming, but.
from neither could the committee
obtain an ineligible answer or ex-
p~lanaiion, till the YONG assistant
irOm tie Efie took tue staad. Ia a
clear and coDcise manner be stated
bis propositions, answering the qles-
tons CT tie committee. st0ud the
cross ire Of counsel, AID 80 far uG-
rave!ed The snari that The commit
TEE. accepting the statement, dismiss
ed the case.
"a Ills return - the Delavan
House The young man received IA
note from Commodore Vanderbilt. re-
guessing "a interview. The Young
man responded. o. entering the
Commodcre's room the following
sceus occurred:
Commodore YanderbiIt-Sit down,
young mar. How long have you
been ia the employ OF the Erie?
Young maD-Four years, sir.
Commodore-What do they pay
you!
Answer-fve thousand dollars a
year.
CJmmodore-Young man, | will
give you ten thousand dollars a
year, and give you q contract for 10
years.
The young man declined, saying
be had been with the Erie SO long
it was like home to him, that be aid
not care to leave.
On his return to New York he re-
lated the interview to the President
ofthe Erie, who replied by saving:
We will give you ten thousand dol
lars, bat cannot make a time con.
tract.
A few days afterward be received
q second note from Vanderbilt; he
called and told him what the Erie
had Cone. | will give you twelve
thousand dollars a year, said the
Commodore. The young maa still
declined, but reported the Interview
to the President Of the Erie, who re-
piled:
We viii give you twelve thous
aud dollars.
4 week later another letter came
from Vanderbilt, which the young
man answered il person. He TOLD
the Commodore what bad transpir
ed. | will give yoa ffteen thousand
dollars. said the Commodore. This
was declined, a1d, in turn. the inter.
view was reported'st the Erie head
quarters, and Erie advanced to ff
teen thousand dollers. The Commc,
dore SEN for him The fourth time,
heard his statement, then striking
bis Gaze on the floor. yelled out:
Young man, I'll give you twenty
thousand dollars 3 year fJT ter years.
and sign a contract for The same.
Make out your papers, vas the cool
reply, and The young man Is today
next to VIM. IL. Vanderbilt, the viz
Jual manager Of the New York Cen
tral & Hudson River X ,ilruad Ills
position Is general freight agent. aud
his name il Pos'Or 1rGc-
/ ciIr.