Morris tribune., 1884-01-30
WEALTH S WONDERS.
A Crowded Ball Room and a Stuffed
Strong. BOX.

NEW YORK, JAM 22.-The Astor ball
was the great social event of the season. On
entering the Astor mansion, the perfume OF
rich flowers and strains of music gave the
early guests promise of night of joy. AL
though it was only 10 o'clock, guests were
arriving in unusual numbers for that hour.
The knowledge that a thousand had been
invited to the centennial ball of the Astor
family perhaps had something to do with
this, and the line of carriages was already
long. The marble hall, which extends
through the mansion to the ends of the two
parlors was beautiful with palms and rare
ferns, while the wide staircase was decked
with garlands of ivy looped up with crimson
and yellow tulips. In the alcove formed by
the curving of the staircase were eleven
musicians, hidden behind tall palms. All the
chandeliers in the hall and parlors were
draped with smilax and studded with punches
of carnation and tulips. The second floor
was set aside for dressingrooms. Two rooms
on the same floor were fitted up for card
rooms. The floral decorations extended
even to this floor, and palms were in the
halls, while vases of dainty roses per-
fumed the air.
The three drawing g-rooms on the other side
of the hall were fragrant with roses, lilies,
tulips and other flowers The first room
is furnished in blue satin with white walls.
Large panels on either side of the fireplace
contained paintings by celebrated masters.
The next room is furnished in crimson, and
has large fireplace in one corner; while
the third is furnished in blue, and
has bookcases extending all about it. A
handsome portrait of President Arthur and
one of Mrs. Astor also adorn this room. 1t
was decked with English ivy, studded with
crimson and yellow tulips The red drawing
room was ornamented with large BASKETS of
Marechal Mel roses mingled with rare and
costly ferns The front drawing
room contained numberless baskets of
roses and lilies mingled with ferns.
New YORK, Jan. 23.-The sensation on
Wall street was the report that Mr.. Gould
had opened his strong box and made an ex-
hibit of his securities to a number of gentle
men. The facts are said to be as
follows: Last Friday Mr.. John T. Terry,
of E. D. Morgan & Co., heard that
Gould had been called for two-million dol
lar sterling loan, of which renewal was re-
fused. He at once went to the fnanciers
Office to see if this was true
"Why, I've plenty of money!" replied Mr..
Could good naturedly. II haven't had to
sell anything" Turning to his son he said:
"George, put on your coat and show Mr.
Terry our new vault. Let him see what
we've got there while youare about it,"
Mr.. Terry expostulated, saying that he did
not want to be the repository for any secret,
but the little man insisted. 81 want you to
see the vault anyway" he urged. Mr. Terry
then accompanied young Mr.. Gould to
the Equitable building, where the Mer-
camille Trust company has prepared a
private receptacle for tie wealth of the
money king. The vault is incased in
solid masonry and massive steel forti-
fcations. 1t is one of the strongest in the
world. The celebrated strong box was then
emptied and its contents spread out to view.
What Mr.. Terry saw he will not divulge save
that the showing astonished him. He had
not expected such a vast accumulation of
wealth as was there represented. The action
was entirely impulsive and was not intended
as zsapblic statement of assets, Some way
the story ieakEsqt.> was altered beyond
and did duty &s a sensation.