The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-20
G0ULD'S ODD VISITOR.
THOUGET HIS HOSTS MILLIONS
WERE ILL-INVESrED.


ity-One lime, at Least, When Mr..
Gould Could Not Appreciate the
Jokes of Puaster.
From the Ne,o York Herald
YOU'D better take my advice, Jay, old
boy. and have your will drawn, as 1 sug
gested."
The speaker was tall, well-built, athletic
young man, about 2S years old.
He wore no beard. He was seated in big
easy chair on the front veranda of Jay
Gould's palatial summer home at Irving
ton-on-the- Hudson, and he was talking to
Jay Gould himself, who was sitting in an
other easy-chair beside him. This was
about a week ago.
The conversation, carried on in an easy,
off-hand manner, lasted about an hour.
Then the young man shook MIR. Gould's
hand in most friendly way, promising to
return soon and give the millionaire some
more ''sound advice"
To-day that young man is in a heavily
barred cell in tie Westminster county jail
at White Plains. He will remain there for
six months at least, unless sooner trans
ferred to a luuatic asylum.
His name is George Harms. He is a resi-
dent of East lrvington, has no particular
occupation, and is member of an OLD
family in Westchester. county.
Harms is we'll known all over Westohes-
ter. He has always been regarded as some
what queer. There are many who say that
he Is an out-and- out lunatic, while others
think he is only touched" He is a fine
looking man. and has the reputation of
being one of the strongest men in the
county.
Shortly after Mr. Gould arrived at his
summer home six weeks ago, Harms made
his appearance at Irvington. His home is
in East irvington. or Dublin, as the eastern
part of Irvington is generally called The
Harms homestead is about two miles dis
tant from Mr. Goulds residence.
When Harms called at Jay Gould's place
for the first time he was told that MIR. Gould
was not at home.
81 want to speak to Mr.. Jay Gould on
some very important matters, said Harms
to the footman who had answered the
strangers knocking at the front door.
Mr. Gould is not at home. l tell you,"
said the footman.
VERY well, snid Harms; "just give my
best wishes to jay, that is, Mr.. Gould, l
mean. Tell him that I'll be round again in
a day or two"
When Mr.. Gould returned home the next
day his footman told him what had hap
pened, but he paid no attention to the oc-
currence.
Harms, true to his promise, called a few
days later. Mr.. Gould was at home, but
very busily engaged just then. the same
footman informed him. Would Mr.. Harms
be good enough TO call again. Probably
Mr.. Harms had a message he would like to
leave. II 30, the footman would gladly de-
liver it.
Mr.. Harms had no message to leave and
started for bis home III East Irvington,
very much troubled on account of his ill
luck in having missed Mr.. Gould a second
time.
A week ago to-day Mr.. Gould was at
home. 1t was very warm day. Wearing
gray duster and big straw hat. the
millionaire was sitting on his veranda.
There was just little breeze. Mr.. Gould
was trying to catch all the fresh air there
was in existence just then. He was seated
in big armchair.
In front of him was the beautiful scenery
of the Hudson. Mr.. Gould seemed to enjoy
it immensely. There was nobody near to
trouble him about stocks or Wall street re-
ports, flying rumors or railroad deals. The
big railroad magnate gazed upon the placid
waters Of the river. May be he was think
ing of his youth in Delaware county, when
he made time-marks for the farmers.
The summer air stole over his senses, his
eyes closed and he began to doze just a lite
tle He was about to enjoy an afternoon
siesta when tall, fne-looling, well-built
young man stepped upon the veranda. Mr..
Gould looked ct him. He evidently was
stranger.
Mr.. Gould looked up and down the
veranda, then he glanced toward his hall
way, as though to call somebody. He could
not see one of his many servants. Mr..
Gould has confessed since that he was Just
the least bit ''rattled." Some other people
ssy he was in a nervous fright.
ta1 Of
walked over to where Mr.. Gould was
seated. He halted in front of the millions
aire, eyed him from top to toe, or, COM
monty speaking, he sized Mr.. Gould up.
Nearly minute passed. Not a word was
spoken. At last the stranger took side
step. He raised one of the big armchairs
which was on the veranda and pushed it
alongside OF the one occupied by Mr.. Gould.
The railroad magaa>e made a motion
The tall stranger observed this. He waved
his right hand in an easy manner. Gently
placing his left hand on Mr.. Gould's shout
der be said:
"Now, Mr.. Gould. Please, sir. Don't
trouble yourself. That's all right. know
| am welcome. Let 'er CO."
To say that Mr.. Gould was somewhat
alarmed just at that moment is putting it
rather mildly.
Il am Mr.. Harms" said the stranger.
after he had seated himself. "George Harms.
ii you please. You know George Harms
don't you? Well, no harms done, you know
Good joke, eh! l get it off quite often. Ha
Hap
Mr.. Harms leaned back In the chair.
lightly swung his feet to the veranda railing
and gazed at Mr.. Gould, evidently to see
how that gentleman took his pun.
1--WE are neighbors see?" continued Mr..
Harms, land | thought I'd just step around
here this afternoon and have a little talk
with you, sir"
Yes, but don't know you," interrupted
Mr. Gould, at the same time looking up
and down the veranda again. Still the
servants were not in sight.
That's all right" said Harms. "Whv.
you're not the only one that don't know
me Lots of people don't know me-"
Mr.. Harms evidently thought he had
made another joke just then. He laughed
most heartily Mr. Gould, however.
could not see the joke and kept very stern
face.
Nov, then" continued Mr.. Harms, las
they say, to begin at the beginning, / am
awfully glad to see you, sir. But then"--
But what, did you sayl" asked Mr..
Gould.
well, you see," said Harms, ST have.
do and always will take a great interest in
you"
VERY kind, indeed-very kind, " said Mr.
Gould, who again looked up and down the
veranda. The servants were still out of
sight.
mot at all-not at all, say. But 1 tell
Won | am taking a very great interast in