Connecticut western news., 1888-08-29
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT'S SOS.
Some Interesting Pcculiaritics oi
 the Boy "Corncel."

Some Interesting Pcculiarities of
 the Boy "Corncel"
 Among the special friends upon whom "Corneel' Vanderbilt was in the habit of exercising his alluring magnetism were Hon. Schuyler ColfaX and Horace Greeley. Over both of these eminent gentlemen he seemed to have perfect control. So hopelessly were they under the charm of his occult power that they seldom said "no" to any request that he made, especially when he wanted to borrow money. Unlike most men who borrow money from their friends and don't pay, instead of exhausting his credit by his business delinquency, "Corneel" made it the basis for increas- ing it, and it generally seemed to be potent means of enabling him to borrow more. Hence his obligation to MT. Greeley were consistently cumulative until they exceeded $50, 900. Years after Greeley's death, when in a financial strait, he was wont to exclaim, with tears in his eyes.
 "When Mir. Greeley died I lost the best friend in the world"
 
 spite of all his shortcomings, he exhibit ed his honesty by paying every cent of tine debt, with interest, to MT. Greeley's part of all other debts which he had con- tracted under similar circumstances.
 When it came to the ears of the com modore that Greeley was lending his son hundreds, and sometimes thousands l,11 ot !, k,1 fI> nffSo of the Tribune. He rushed without Greeley was busy at his high desk grinding out q tirade against some poll tical or social abuse, and thus addressed the sage of Chappaqua. "Greeley, I hear Yer lendin' 'Corneep money.' "Yes," said Greeley, cycling the monarch with w hr' m air of d'o philosopRic ''. contempt mixed with commiseration, 'I have let him have some.' 'I give you fair worning," replied the comimodore, "that you need not look to me; won't pay you." ''Who the deuce asked you?" retorted Greeley. "Have ?'' This closed the interview. The commodore retraced his steps down the rickety steps into Spruce street, and Greeley continu- ed to grind out his illegible chirography for profane printers. There is no record, Mir. Clews tells us, that the subject was ever reverted to between them, but states that, soon after the death of Greeley, the commodore sent check for SIC, ,OOO each to his two daughters.
 Tho commodore was we'll satisfied with the marriage of young "Corneer' to Miss Williams, of Hartford, Conn.,, and he had hoped that his son would begin then to lead new life, but he was doomed to disappointment. There is good story told about an interview between the commodore and MT. Will iams prior to the marriage. The latter called on the commodore and informed him that his son, Cornelius Jeremiah, had asked his daughter in marriage and she was willing if the commodore had no objection to the union. "Has your daughter plenty of silk dresses2" asked the commodore, sententiously.
 "Well," replied MT. Williams, show ing some sensitiveness at what he con- sidered an assumption of superiority and purse-pride on the part of the com modore, My daughter, as I told you, is not wealthy. She has few dresses like other young ladies, but her ward robe is not very extensive or costly.' "Has your daughter plenty of jewelry9" continued the commodore without ap- bearing to take notice of MT. Williams explanation. "No, sir" replied MT. Williams, becoming slightly nettled. 1T have attempted to explain to you am in comparatively humble circumstances, and my daughter cannot afford jewelry." "Tho reason asked you," pursued tho commodore, 'sis, that if she did possess these articles of value, my son would take them and either pawn or sell them, and throw away the proceeds at the gaming table. So forewarn you and your daughter that I can't take any re- sponsibility in this matter" After the marriage "Corneer' asked his father for some money to build house. s'No, Corneel," he said emphatically, ''you have got to show that you can be trusted before can trust you." His wife made application to her father-in-law with better success, however. He gave her Q check for $lO,O00.
 In few months after she paid an other visit to the commodore, who re- ceived her cordially, but expected she had come for another loau, and he was attempting to work up his courage to the point of refusal; for, strong and d. most invincibly obdurate as he was in the general affairs of life, in the pres ence of the fair sex, like Samson when he got his hair cut, he was weak and like another man. "Well," said the commodore, addressing his daughter-in- law, with Q kindly smile, "what can I do for you now?" "Well, papa" she replied, in her exceedingly candid and agreeable manner, "We did not need all the money, so I brought you back $1,5OO" The commodore could hardly believe his ears and eyes, but when the cash was put in his hand he found it was reality. This sealed warm friend ship between him and his worthy and economical daughter -in-law, which was only severed by her premature death about ten years before that of her un- fortunate husband.
 "Corneel' told MT. Clews at Long Branch the last time he saw him that all there was of life for him was to live long enough to pay up old scores. He had fully determined to do this, and then, he thought, prolongation of ex- istence would have no further charms for him. It must be said to his credit that he accomplished this work, and then, laying himself sadly down, died by his own hand.-BostOn Herald.