Richland beacon., 1888-09-15
CORNELIUS vANDERBILT'S son.
Some Interesting Pcculiaritics OF
the Boy "COrnccl."


were Hon. Schuyler Colfax and Horace
Greeley. Over both of these eminent
gentlemen he seemed to have perfect
control. So hopelcssly were they under
the charm of his occult power that they
seldom said emo" to any request that he
made, especially when ne wanted to
borrow money. Unlike most mon who
borrow money from their friends and
don't pay, instead of exhansting his
credit by his business delinquency,
Cornell made it the basis for incrcas-
ing it, and it generally seemed to he n
potent means of enabling him to borrow
more. Hence his obligation to Mr..
Greeley were persistently cumulative
until they exceeded $4,000. Years after
Greeleys death, when i'll financial
strait, he was wont to exclaim, with tears
in his eyes.
when Mr.. Greeley died I lost the
best friend in the world"
BE it said to his credit, however, in
spite of all his shortcomings, he exhibit
ed his honesty by paying every cent Of
tine debt, with interest, to Mr.. Grceley's
daughters. He also paid tie greater
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
OF dollars at time, he visited the Office
of the 7ri5une. He rushcd without
ceremony into the sanctum, where
Greeley was busy ut his high desk
grinding out TRADE against some poll
teal or social abuse, and thus addressed
tue sage of Chappaqua. ''Greelcy, L
hear yer lendin 'Corneel money
"Yes, said Greeley, cycling the monarch
of steamboat men through his glasses
with an air of philosophic contempt
mixed with commiscratioD, 81 have let
Warming" replied the commodore,
"that you need not look to me; | won't
pay YOU" "Who the deuce asked you?'
retorted Greeley. "Have it This
closed tho interview. The commodore
retraced his steps down the rickGiy steps
into Spruce street, aud Grccicys,ontinu
ed to grind out his ilegible photography
for prOfane printers. There is no record,
MIR. Clews tells us, that the subject was
ever reverted to between them, bat
states that, soon after the death of
Greeley, the commodore sent check
for $1,000 each to his two daughters.
The commodore was well satisfied
with the marriage of young "Corncer
to Miss Williams, of Hartford, Conn,
and he had hoped that his son would
begin then to lead II new life, bat he
was doomed to disappointment. There
is good story told about m interview
between the commodore AMI Mr.. Vii
liams prior to the marriage. The latter
called on the commodore and informed
him that his son, Cornc'iils .icr 'm:ah,
had asked his daughter in marriage aud
she was willing if the cu:nmo lore had
no objection to the nnion. Has your
daughter plenty of silk dresses asked
the commodore, sententiously.
"Well, replied Mr.. Williams, show
ing some scnsitiycness 1T What he con
sidered IN assumption of superiority
and purse pride on the Part OF the com
mOdore, my daughter, as | told you,
is not wealthy. She has few dresses
like other young In lies, bat her ward
robe is not very extensive or costly. -
HAS your daughter plenty of icweiry:'
continued tho commodore without APP
pearing to t Ike notice Of Mr.. Williams
explanation. ''NO, sir, replied Mr.
Williams, becoming slightly nctt!c,l. 81
have attempted to explain to you am
in comparatively humble circumstances,
and my daughter cannot afford icwclry."
"The reason | asked you,' pursued the
commodore, "is, that il she did possess
these articles of valrc, my son would
take them and either pawn or sell them,
and throw away the p"orc, ls at TIE
gaming table. So | fore warn you and
your daughter that | can't take any re-
spOnsibility in this matter" After the
marriage "Corneel' asked his father for
some money to build house "No,
Cornell he said empiatically, 'you
have got to show that you can be trusted
before / can trust YOU" His wife made
application t. her fathcr-in law with
better success, however. He gave her
check for $4,000.
In a few months after she paid nv
other visit to the commodore, who re
celved her cordially. hut expected she
had come for another loan, and he WAS
attempting to work up his courage to
tho point of refusal; for, strong and al
most invincibly obdurat, as hc was in
the general affairs of life, i'll the pres
cnce 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 kindly smile, "what can 1
do for you now?" "Wrll, para" she
replied, in her exceedingly candid and
agreeable manner, 1--WE did not need all
the money, so 1 brought you back
81 800" The commodore could hard
believe his ears and eyes, but when tho
cash was put in his hand lie found it
was a reality. This sealed warm friend
ship between him and his worthy and
economical daughter in-law, which was
only severed by her premature dca,h
about ten years before that Of her I'M
fortunate husband.
"COrnecw told Mr.. Clcws ut Long
Branch the last timo ho saw him that
all there was of life for him was to live
long enough to pay up old SCOTS. lie
had fully determined TO DO this, and
then, ho thought, prolongation of cx-
lstence would have no further charms
for hin, II p,uck 10 all a.. L.. 1:A