Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-10-16
Joe Harker's START.

'Who knows anything about thereported
sale of ST. Julien to Joe Harker and Charlie
Green!" saidone of a party of hosemen who
were sitting in the Jockey club room the
other day.
Nobody seemed 70 possess any information
onthesubject, and one person doubted wheth-
er Harker would feel like putting $4,000 of
his own money into 4 trotter, although he
owns several for which he paid from $4,000
10 1000.
"He ought to be willing to do IT." said Il
gentleman, "for every dollar he has is there
suit Of owning trotter"
Being asked foI an explanation, the gen
tleman proceeded rs follows:
"Way back in the time when Pacific Mail
was in It's glory, Joe ilarkcr was clerk in Il
brokers' Office on New street, New York.
Even then he loved trOttCr, and while on
m excursion to Orange county pickcdup for
4 small price 4-year-old colt that had won
dcriul speed. Not long after bringing him
/ to New York, llarker drove out to the road
house where Commodore Vanderbilt always
stopped when ont for 4 ride, and soon after
/ his arrival the old man drove up and sat down
for his afternoon smoke. When he had fin
/ ishod. and was ready 10 start fOr the city a
gain, Harker had his colt brought cut and
! logged along down the road behind the Com
modore. and when the old mans team was
going pretty good clip pulled ont and went
/ by him. Once in front he pulled up, and
/ the,Commodorc was soon on even terms with
/ him. The railroad kings eye had detected
/ the ease with which the young man had pas
sed him. and no sooner was he near him
again than he asked whose horse that WITS;
Its mine, said Harker.
"What is it?' from the Commodore.
"Only 4-ycar-old that | bought up in
/ Orange County.
''Is he for sale?'
ono
"'Now. young man. want that horse, and
if you will send him around to my stable III
buy him.
"'Can't sell
"Well. said the Commodore, getting
rather interested, isn't there any price YOU
will put on The horseP
"'No.'
"'No way can get him?'
"'Ycs; If YOU will give me apointer on
Pacific Mail III send, the horse around
The Commodore looked M the young
man in admiration OF his intense check.
He was getting angry as we'll as interested,
and said rather gruiiiy that he would pay
a good price for the horse.
THAT won't buy him. was Harker's re-
joinder
80 they logged along in silence all the
way down town. the Commodore noting the
easy gait of the colt, and feeling more and
more that he must have him. Finally he
told Harkor to send him around, and the
horse reached the stable that evening. The
Commodore drove him single and double for
Il couple Of weeks, and finally sent for Har-
ker. The young man waspromptly on hand
at the appointed time
81 want to pay YOU for that horse said
Vanderbilt, taking up check-book.
"'He can't be paid for that way WAS lIar-
kcr's reply; 'you know what said
"Vandcrblt looked at him steadily for
moment. and then said: when want you
| will send for you and Ilarkcr left and
went about his business.
at wasnearly three month before he heard
from Vanderbilt, but one day word came for
him to cal! at the Office. He went, and found
the old man there.
"'Now,' said the Commodore Il suppose
that if told You anything forty men on
Wall street wOnld know il insideof an hour
"'NO they wouldn't replied Harkcr:
That isn't my way of doing business.
"'Well. YOU buy 1909 shares Of Pacific
Mail and the Commodore resumed his wri-
ting.
Looking up in q few minutes he found
Harkcr still sitting there.
"'Why dOn'ty0u go and attend to that j
told Won 10 buy 900 shares, didn't II
"'Yes said Harker but you might az well
have told me to buy the New York Central
Haven't yon got any money?
ono, sir
"Thcn what were you driving such fast
horse ior!'
az got him cheap"
"'Can't you get friend TO buy the stock
for your
"'Yes, J suppose couldget forty Of them
if could prove that you tOldme 10 buy the
stock: but that isn't my style
"Thi- reply struck the Commodore forci-
bly,. and, when telling the story afterwards,
he would alludc to it with great JUNCTION.
The result Of the talk was that he sent an
order TO one Of his brokers 10 buy G0Oshares
of Pacific Mail for Iiarker, and he Wander
bilt) would be responsible for il When
there was a clean profit of 100000 in the
deal. Vanderbilt, told Harkcf IS sell, which
he lost no timein doing. The young mans
secrctiyeness had so impressed the Commo-
doro that he took HarScr into his employ,
gave him desk IN his private Office, and II
Is doubtful if any man enjoyed Vanderbilts
confidence 20 the extent that Joe Harker did
from that time until the old man died"
TirO Sides 10 the Picture.