The Portland daily press., 1885-12-19
A MILLION FOR HORSE.
How Vanderbilt Requited the Cener'
osity of Henry NJ Smith.
North American.

In the old days when the lately bankrupt
ed Henry N. Smith was one of the bosom
friends of VIM. II. Vanderbilt an Incl
dent occurred which goes far to show
plainly one or two of the. personal
characteristics of the railroad magnate.
People who bear in mind how Mr.
Smith was credited couple of years
ago with having heeced one of Mr.. Wander
bits sons out of some millions in stock
speculation, and who recall also the theory
that Wes current not long ago that Smith
owed his late financial disaster to vengeance
wreaked upon him by that young mans
father-people who remember those things
remember too that the time was when Henry
N. Smith and VIM. II. Vanderbilt were al
most insepaTable companions. What one
enjoyed the other shared; where one went
the other attended.
On nearly every pleasant afternoon they
were to be found at Fleetwood Park enjoy
ing the cream Of life behind horsefesh that
would have driven all Arabdom mad with
jealousy. One day Mr.. Smith appeared with
a new horse-spirited, handsome and fast be-
yOnd anything else on the track. Mr.. Van
derbilt's eye was taken at once. his heart
went out in one big dash OF affection for that
animal. He must have it. Whatever the
cost he would pay it for such a treasure, and
he made point blank demand on his friend
at once for transfer of ownership. Smith
wouldn't listen to such talk He had bought
horse for his own use; it wasn't for sale.
The animal was after his own heart; no
money would tempt him to part with such q
jewel.
II will give you $4,000 for him Just as he
stands" said Mr.. Vanderbilt.
"Oh, no, you WON'T retorted Mr.. Smith.
Twice that sum wouldn't buy that horse. l
don't want to sell and | don't intend to
sell"
"I'n give you $4,000
Look here William" Quoth Mr.. Smith,
II tell you this animals not for sale. That
settles it. like him. can afford to keep
him, and I'm going to do just that same
thing. So, William, be gentleman and
shut up.
That ended the talk. Henry N. drove one
way, William III. drove another. They didn't
address one another again during that after
noon. 1t was very evident from his manner
| that Mr.. Vanderbilt had been deeply Of
| Tended So much in love had he fallen sud-
denly with the coveted steed that it seemed
to him the EXTREMIST meanness that would
deprive him of the prize. He was amazed
the next morning when he went down to his
stable. A strange horse stood in one of his
stalls. 1t was the very animal that Henry
N. Smith had refused small fortune for less
than twenty-four hours before. He sum
moncd his stablemen, and was told that Mr..
Smith himself had brought the horse over to
the stable and had left, saying merely: Tell
Mr.. Vanderbilt that the horse is his, and
that.he is elcome to it" The millionaire s
delight was almost boundless Such good
fortune he had not even dared to dream
about If he had been little Billy Wander
bit in his first pair of red-topped brass-toed
boots he could not have been one. whit hap
pier That evening he met his friend.
"Ah, Henry, see you finally came to my
terms he calculated, well, $4,000 is a
pretty big price for horse. but you're wei
come to it, old fellow, you're welcome to it. !"
"Yoar $4,000 DO blowedp' retorted Mr..
Henry n. Smith. 81 don't want your money;
When told You l wouldn't sell that horse
meant it. But if your heart is set on him
Pm not going to let such thing, come in be,
tween our friendship, so give him to you.
civilian III. Vanderbilt stood as one stu
| pef1ed," and then there was such supper as
| only Delmenico carte blanche can provide
And before that evening was over William
H. Vanderbilt had taken Henry n. Smith
into Lake Shore stock deal, from which
profits there fell into Henry n. Smith 8
pockets TO the tune of over million of dol
lars.