Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-02-08
JAY OoULD's WAYS.
A Pen Picture Of the Famous New
York Financier.

| new subject to write on, says Mr..
Grundy, but, as | have seen the man
almost daily for years, i can tell you
the truth about him, and all writer's
have not done that. Jay Gould is a
great coward. When out in the city
Mt night he is in constant dread of be-
ing shotted or felled with sand-bag.
avenue and Forty-seventh street, and il
| is not an uncommon thing for him TO
run over to the Windsor hotel, directly
across the street, for little gossip or
10 visit some railway magnate who may
be stopping there during his stay in
the city. He is quick in all his move
ments, and in passing along the street
he looks furtively from side to side,
and ever and anon behind him.
In that little run from his own house
to the hotel he skips nimbly down the
steps from the door, and skurries across
the street as il he were persued. IL he
meets any one he will look searchingly.
almost anXiously into his face and at
the same time edge away. To see him
person would think he did not draw
his breath from the time he left his
house until safe in the corridor of the
hotel, and the change in the expression
of his face and his movements indicate
that he is glad to be in the bright light
among men whom he knows.
As rule Gould does not go to the
Windsor or any other place of resort
oftener than twice a week. He spends
his evenings in the seclusion of his
home in perfect contentment. He is
known 10 be "A thoroughly domesticated
man. found of his wife and family, and
willing TO surrender other pleasures for
to him the greater enjoyment OF their
company.
A personal description may not be
out OF place.
To every body in New York Gould is
known as "the little man" He is
much under the medium height and
slender, but his figure is neat and COM
pact. His head is small, round and
high and built well up from the fore
head. His eyes are deep set black
and sharp, and his nose is straight and
well formed. His lips are thin and
colorless.
IT is doubtful if any one living in
New York ever saw his chin. For
twenty years, at least, he has worn a
long, full beard, which is kept closely
trimmed on the cheeks, but is allowed
to extend down to about where the sec
ond stud in his shirt bosom would be.
His head is covered with n thick
growth of black hair that is fine and
silky. His complexion is quite sallow,
and his general demeanor is Saturnian
and reserved.
His hands are small and shapely.
They are somewhat bony and sinewy in
appearance, and look better in gloves
than they do bare. In his dress Gould is
extremely plain. For years his head
covering has been black round hat,
while during the summer be has APP
peared in a straw or tall white hat.
His favorite suit of clothing is some
thing approaching a dark steel-gray or
pepper-and-salt. cut in the ordinary
business style. The vest buttons high
up under his beard, and ii Is only when
he turns his head shat his black silk
scarf is exposed. His colors and cuffs
are always scrupulously clean and
white, but unostentatious.
His feet are small and efreminate.
He is neat about his footwear, which is
bright In polish. In the summer he
wears. low shoes and bright socks. He
adorns himself with no jewelry. and as
often as any thing his watch is held by
black silk guard.
In conversation about business affairs
Gould seems to concentrate his whole
mind, not only on the subject, but the
person he is talking with. IL he is
sitting down he is sure to pick up some
thing lying on the table or desk near
him. 1t may be a penholder, tooth
pick or a scrap Of paper. He will
twirl it between the thumb and forefin-
ger of both hands while conversing.
and every now and then raise his eyes
| TO look at the person addressing him.
The glance is penetrating, and he
who meets it feels that Gould is not de-
pending on what he says, but is seek
! ing TO analyze his words. His keen
/ black eyes give great force to his in
curing looks, but there is no stare
about them. He raises his eyes quick
ly and apparently casually, but pene-
tratingly. When he asks question he
is very deliberate in his speech.
He speaks in low, pleasant tone,
/ ana MS questions are usually framed
in few words. 1t is habit OF his To
allow the person seeking him to do the
talking and TO contine himself to AN
swering questions put to him. He is all
the while apparently giving the closest
attention and weighing carefully al
that is said. He is non-committal, and
very rarely makes up his mind to do OF
not to do thing while the CONVERSE
ton is in progress He will say he
would like to consider the matter, on
would be glad TO see the person agair
on the subject.
1t is rarely that Gould transacts an!
thing in the way of physical business
in his office, but he is capable of laying
out enough work mentally, in half al
hour to keep score of CLERKS busy TO
fortnight He seldom looks ate
details, but having fixed in his mind OF
the general scope of plan, if he ap
proves it he orders il TO be carried on
by experienced managers. He is quici
i'm the transaction OF Iris business, an,
if he spares an hour for the considera
ton OF any one subject II must be Q
more than ordinary Importance. ii
' q e. ii.