The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-21

whose name was destined to shine so
brilliantly IN the family archives of Irv-
ings hero OF the Catskiiis, is the direct de-
scendant of four generations of Vedders
on both his fathers and mothers side.
Mr.. Nedder was born on Varick street,
New York, February. 1896. His home
was very happy but modest one. for his
frther, dentist by profession, but a me-
chanical genius by instinct, was compare
lively poor man, while his mother, q
rarely gifted and unseitish woman, was
the prop and the blessing of the simple
dwelling she made so pleasant.
Mr.. Vedder's boyhood was a remarkably
migratory period. When he was very
young his father and mother went TO
CUBA, where there was q business opening
that promised brilliantly for the former;
then the boy became member of o rela-
tive's family and lived in picturesque
old manor house, in one of the prettiest
and most varied portions of interior Long
Island. As to companions, he was often
alone. for better than their idle chatter he
loved the communion of the trees. of the
birds and the hills. the mountains and the
shallow streams and ponds. the sunset,
the moonlight and the winds.
Just before his ninth birthday, and while
he was in another part of Long Island,
there came into his hands a strange
medley OF possessions, begueathed by an
eccentric uncle-an inventive genius to
whom a heterogeneous collection of in
struments and appliances, scientific and
mechanical, was very dear, because he was
man to whom were apparent, even then,
many of the wonders that lay waiting for
touch upon the hidden spring in
electricity and steam and air. This uncle
was a student, too, so, with the instru-
ments, there was a quaint library of
science and discovery and travel. There
were also water colors and sketches gath
tfxaV rvxte hx.h had tod
With these treasures and the lines of
thought they helped expand, with his
walks at sunset in the shadow of the roll
ing hills and in the forest with it's filtered
lights. listening to the carols of the birds,
and forming strange pictures in the clouds,
the boy was very happy; Indeed, was"
he now tells US, 1.-The Washington Irving
period of my existencep' So, when word
came that he was to join his parents in
Cuba, he sailed thither with his mind full
OF the mysteries nature had already COM
menced to whisper to him, and of the tales
of shipwreck, resource and salvation he
had culled in liberal store from the vol
umes included in his uncle's bequsst-in-
deed, it was as if he had been translated to
a new phase of existence; phase with
which now the fragrant, tropical breeZeS,
the luxuriant vegetation, and the curious
folklore of the Spanish and negro ser
wants Of the Cuban households, at Matan-
-,
strange harmony.
But his stay in Cuba was short, because,
with success, there had come to his father
a strong desire to return to his native city.
As an drant courier his wife preceded him
to superlntena the erection of a pretty
home on Clinton avenue-a home the
family was destined never to enjoy, how
ever, for, before it was ready, Azrael had
taken the mothers spirit hence, and the
father had no heart to be in the place
whence it had gone.
Then followed another season of change
for the boy, first to the southern side of
Long island. There ne spent many happy
land, then resting and dreaming-and q de-
licious pastime it was after the hours he
spentin the school room, vainly attempting
the mastery of educational details. In
these days many were tie questions he
propounded to the learned heads of the
school-questions they would fam have
had remain unasked, for the artist
student desired the "why" and the
"whence" of all things seen and many
unseen! So his school hours were in the
main troubled times to him, until he be-
came home pupil of that grand old ped
agogue, Parsons. q man of brilliant intel
iect, and yet teacher not ''too busy to
show the students the real way of getting
at thingsP"
After, as boy, and then as youth, young
Vedder had shown in thousand ways be-
side the carving of strong ideal head
from the soft. white stone found on the
shore of Long island, that nature had
fashioned him in artist mold, there came
! a season with the gifted Matterson. Al
though his surroundings were most pleas
ant, it was not altogether happy time,
because genius, arousing herself, refused
to be satisfied, and forced her young devo-
tee many times to abandon his work short
of com nIafion for Siren-liEe aha NJ a. CON.