The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-11

soon as he was old enough, his schooling was
limited to the bare rudiments, and little spend
ing money ever found its way into his pockets
from the old Commodore's bounty.
Williams brief school days were passed in
New York. His father did not believe In the
advantages of college training, and after brief
course in the Columbia College Grammar school,
the lad was put in the countingroom of Drew,
Robinson e Co., at a salary of $3.50 year. He
was then eighteen years old. The next year his
salary was raised TO $500. The third year he got
81. 900 Then he married Miss NJ. T.. Nissan.
the daughter OF the Rev. Samuel f. Nissan, of
Brooklyn.
The pair started in life in an East Broadway
boarding house. terms SIG week for two. Like
the wife of the old Commodore, Williams wife
was genuine heipmeet in the years when the
young man was struggling for foothold. She
was simple and domestic in her tastes. and in
later years was the same quiet, transformations
woman that she in her youth
1t was always source of annoyance to the
Commodore that his son did not inherit his own
sturdy frame and robust constitution. The
young man was delicate, and, as his father
feared the strain of business proved too much
for him. Just as he was about to become Junior
partner in the firm his health failed and he was
compelled to seek outdoor occupation. ~The
Commodore, either to give his son rough
schooling because he believed his busines
career at an end, purchased farm Of seventy
five acres New Dorp, Staten Island, and es-
tablished the delicate, unskilled young man a
farmer. The land was mostly uncutivated and
into the old farmhouse. 1t was hard prospect
they had before them. The young farmer had
no experience to guide him, and the Commodore,
aside from giving him the land, would do moth
ing toward bringing the farm into good condi-
ton. William worked early and late and never
lost heart Old residents of Staten Island are
fond of telling how, after hard days toll. the
jolly, good natured young man used to go down
TO the beach at Cedar Grove. join the groups OF
fishermen, and listen to and laugh at their wild
yarps Of the sea.
The old farm showed signs of Improvement
under the young farmers careful tlage after a
few months, but capital was yet needed to put it
in proper shape. With some misglvings William
approached his father on the subject of loan.
mot cent" bluntly said the old Commodore.
William went home Respondent. The deed of
the farm stood in his name. and it occurred to
him that he could mortgage it without the old
gentlemans knowledge. He sought business
friend. and. after some negotiation, went home
with $4,000 in his pocket Capital told on the
hard soil. Fertilizers were bought, stock pur-
chased, and other improvements made The
old Commodore noticed these things in his rare
visits to the farmhouse, but if he suspected any
thing he kept his own counsel
At last storm came The old Commodore's
growing wealth had already drawn to him those
satellites who always hang around the rich and
one of these, who knew the secret of the mort
gage, went to the elder Vanderbilt with his tale.
in the hope of gaining favor
One day, six months after the mortgage was
given, William came to New York to see his
father. The Commodore was preparing for his
afternoon drive and invited his son to go with
him They rode in silence for some time. Then
the subject of the farm was preached. The old
Commodore's walls of wrath were suddenly
corked.
''Bll,' said he. ''you don't amount to a row of
pins, anyway. You won't never be able to do
anything but to bring disgrace upon yourself,
your family, and everybody connected with you.
l have made up my mind to have nothing more
to do with you"
"What have done to displease your inquired
Bill, meekly
"Done! Haven't you mortgaged your farm to
So-and sol"
Yes and I had to do it," was the reply. II
had no money, you would not lend me any, the
farm needed the outlay of capital and got it as
best could. have always tried to do what
would please you. l am sorry you disapprOve of
what have done for the farm. Not cent of
the money has been used for my personal ex-
penses. 1t all went into the farm, and see no
reason why can't pay it back. don't see that
have done anything to be ashamed Of"
The Commodore let the horses out an extra
length and devoted his attention strictly to the
reins the rest of the drive. On their return
William went homo without word from his
father on the unpleasant subject. The next day
the got check for $4,000 from the Commo
dore. with the stern injunction to 'go and pay
that mortgage right away"
The old Commodore was heard to say about
that time, There's something in that boy, Bill,
after /; l." Thenceferth there was more intl-
macy and mutual confidence between father and
son.
Another day. so one story goes, while the
Commodore spending his business hours in
New York, William came to him and bargained
for load of manure. The Commodore told him
he could have load at the market rate, which
: was sonnet hing in the neigh borhood of dollar.
Some time after the old gentleman found that
his son had taken all the manure in the place-a
great billock in quantity. He was amazed, later
still, at receiving mere pittance for it, and
seeking his son, asked him what he meant by
sending him so little money for much
manure.
II took a load and paid you your price," said
the son.
This proved to be the truth, but the load he
3ook was a scow load.
II believe there's something in Bill. after ALL"
he Commodore remarked again. The bound
aries OF the old farm were enlarged from 70 to
$50 acres by the Commodore's help, and it be-
came profitable investment.
1t was not very long before William had
profit of $l2, 900 from its surplus products. He
began to be looked upon as a prosperous man by
the neghbors, and the old Commodore was
greatly tickled by the reports brought him of
Bills popularity. The son had learned by ex-
perience how despotic was his fathers will, and
taok good care not to incur his displeasure
again To the day of the Commodore's death
his word was law to William H., who. though
himself middle-aged millionaire, was as obe-
dent child to every wish of his father. An
illustration of this is furnished by little scene
a European tour that the two made in 1853
They were on board the steam-yacht Northern
Star, on their way to St Petersburg. William,
who was an habitual smoker, was putting his fa-
vorite cigar.
BILL" said the Commodore II wish you'd
give up that smoking habit of yours. I'll give
you $40. 900 if you will"
"You needn't pay me anything" was the sons
answer as he flung the cigar overheard. "Your
wish is sufficient He never smoked afterward
Hard Worker and Simple Liver.
Chauncey Nj. Depew. in New York Herald.
HE was always very hard worker" said Mr.
Depew, 'but his hard work did not tell on his
immensely vigorous physique which came from
hard work on his farm in early life. From the
time he was twenty years old until he was
sorty three, he worked on the farm his father