St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-06
GOSSIP OF THE DAY.

The following story, illustrating the
Astor philosophy in money matters, is
told Of the late John Jacob Ast0r, says
the New York Evening Sun, by the
man who was the other actor in the
scene. I'll went to Mr.. Astor." he said,
with business proposition which de-
manded an investment of 500, 900 on his
part. While listening to the plan he
kept cropping and feeling about on the
floor for something he seemed to have
dropped. When | had finished he said
readily: 'All right, go on with the
affair; I'll furnish the money! AT that
instant man entered TO tell him that
one of his buildings had just burned
down.
"'That happens nearly every day. he
said, with the utmost unc0ncern, and
went on feeling about with great care
for that something on the carpet.
IL finally asked him what he had
dropped.
why he said, raising his head ana
looking as WOe-begone as small boy.
Il dropped 10 cents here few moments
ago, and | can't find it. Ii mans
buildings burn down, they are gone and
he can't helpi it, and he is bound to let
them go. But man who deliberately
throws away 10 cents because he won't
take the trouble to find it is not to be
forgiven"
There is young member Of dipIo-
matte corps in this city who is disposed
to be polite. but who is not always judi
ciouS, says the Washington Post. He
was c0nversing with lady who com
Dimes intellectual and physical graces
with considerable degree of maturity.
Il have enjoyed talking with you
very much" he said. lit is a pleasure
to be in the society of some one who has
observed the world.
But, blr. Brown" she SAID, laugh
ingly, perhaps l am not SO old as l
look"
81 was always sure of that" he re-
turned with all the gallantry of man.
ner that he could muster.
1t is pretty well known that eX-Secre-
tary Bayard is judge of terrapin,
writes New York Tribune correspond
ent. Indeed, he is said to excel in the
preparation of terrapin for the table.
When he was secretary of state, terra
pin was always on the table at his dim
ner parties. Ga one occasion he gave a
dinner t. members Of the diplomatic
corps, and OF course great pains were
taken with the secretary'S faVOrite dish.
But the diplomats DO not like terrapin.
They dislike it 50 much that their we'll
known politeness is severely tested
when obliged to sit through course of
terrapin. Mr.. Bayard did not know
this, and nothing could have been finer
than his tGrrapin at this dinner. The
diplomats touched the terrapin once, all
round, then suffered in silence-amOng
them the German minister, who enjoys
telling the story on himself.
There we all sat, everybody looking
as unhappy as possible. | wondered
what was the matter. | soon found out
when tried the terrapl. 1t was aW-
full. We foreigners cannot eat terrapin.
But did my best at that dinner. Tie
Samoan troubles were up. l tasted the
trrrapin. l thought of Samoa, and |
said to myself | must take some more.
SO | took some more. | continued to
think of Samoa. and kept Un taking
some more. For the first time in my
life ate terrapin, and unless there are
more Samoan troubles it will probably
f)e the last time. Nothing but Samoa
at that dinner could have made me so
desperate as TO take some more terrapin.
1t was awful"
But it was diplomatic. Through ter
rapin and Samoa the German minister
proved himself the most accomplished
diplomatic at Secretary Bayard's dinner.