The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-10-02

cited no particular interest, excepting that
which arose from the fact that Mr.. Astor
was the author. The second story, how
ever, stood more upon its merits, and those
who examined it, and tried to forget that
one of the richest men in the world had
written it, thought they found in it the
evidence of considerable ability in story
telling, grest patience in historical investi.
cation and Il good deal of literary merit
Mr.. Astor was ut Cost tempted to publish
it anonymously, Le.aase he found that his
first story was talked of mainly because
William Waldorf Asto. wrote it, and he
wished to have the hcconA work judged en-
tirely on its merits but it leaked out in
some way that he was writing a romance
of Italian history, and he thought that it
would then he an affectation to publish
che book anonymously, as the authorship
would be sure to be discovered.
Mr.. Astor is, with single exception, the
only possessor of enormous wealth in this
city who seems to have had any desire to
gain Il literary repute. If he had been a
poor man he would have undoubtedly
taken up literature as a calling; al leas,
that is what he how thinks, and what h,
has frequently told tho very few men whom.
he admits to real intimacy. He possesses
an excellent but not very large library,
and he daily spends not less than an hour,
and sometimes The greater part of the day,
in it. In his books and his attempts at au-
thorship he finds his chief recreation and
delight outside of the pleasures of domes.
ITCHY. He is a most domestic man, and
there is none other of his wealth in the
city who seems more thoroughly content
in the family circle than he does. He takes
passing interest in high class drama and
genuine pleasure in the Wagner operas
Horses, yachting, athletic sports and the
gayeties of the social world have but little
interest for him, and he participates in
these things mainly because he believes
that man of his wealth has some social
duties which he cannot with self respect
entirely avoid.
But it is in books and literary compost.
ton that he finds genuine and never fail
ing satisfaction. He did at one time medi-
tate upon a political career, but he found
that man of inherited wealth which rep.
resented an enormous sum was very badly
handicapped by that fact when seeking
popular suffrage 1t became his opinion
hat man without a dollar had better
Ihance in political preference than one who
had inherited fortune so large that it was
celebrated. When he quit politics he gave
himself up completely, so far as his other
luties would permit to his books and to
his efforts to make name for himself as
an author.
One Of his friends is reported as having
aid that Willie Aston would rather have
written Vanity Fair" or "The New
,ombes" than to have inherited the mill
Ions which came to him. He still hopes to
write romance which shall bring him
,attering literary repute and cause the at
tention of the public to be distracted from
his position as one Of the richest men in
She world. There lives near him on Fifth
avenue another young man of great inner
tied wealth who is also of a literary turn,
but who has never yet yielded to the temp
cation to publish something. A literary
companionship has growy up between
these two, and the intimacy is far more
congenial than that which the older broth
trs OF this young man established when
they were admitted socially To the Astor
set. This young man is George Wander
bilt, the youngest son of the late William
Fl. Vanderbilt. who is almost recluse in
his devotion to books. E. J. EDWARDS.