The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-29

and many Of the luxuries, for where
there are so many millions floating around
all the pin money she wants will blow
her way; but it is the ignominy placed
upon her by this omission of her name
from her fathers will under which she is
staggering as from blow. Considering the
vast fortune left by Mr.. Aston, the women
OF the family are given but a beggarly pit
tance. Mrs. Astor's $4,000 will not
enable her to live as she has beer
living. With two Immensely expensive
establishments to keep up, one in Fifth
avenue and one in Newport, she will have
a struggle for existence. She will be
obliged to dispose Of lot Of horses. dis
miss servants, cut here and curtail there
in order to make both ends meet. I have
already suggested that the Astor women
should "get together" and make de-
termined stand for their rights, and am
still of the opinion that the point is
well taken. They are decidedly getting
the worst of it. Young John Jacob Astor
has been left so much money, and more in
prospect, that he doesn't know whether
he is afoot or on horseback, while the
women ara left destitute in COMPARISON.
They are apparently faring worse as the
fortune gets larger, and the time NAV
come when they will be forced to take
in washing. When it occurs to male
member of the Astor family worth $3.50
COO 900 to leave 1906 week to an old SER
want who has worn out her life in the
service of the family, there is no telling
what may happen next. say member
of the Astor family worth $3.50, OOO. 900 and
will probably meet with the state
ment that both branches of the
Astor family are supposed to be worth
but $500 100000. There is difference be-
tween what is supposed to be and what
really is. There is very good warrant for
saying that the Astors have been pulling
the wool over the eyes of the public for
many years regarding their wealth, which
is as likely to be above $500, 900, 600 as be-
low it.
Mr.. William Astor's fame has suffered
somewhat by his will. There is so much
in it that is small and narrow that the
public, which has been regarding Mr..
Astor with good deal Of respect, is dis
posed to reverse its judgment, or at least
modify it very materially He has
shown genius for holding on that
is no less than phenomenal All he
gives to charity is not equal to the inter-
est on his money for one month. He gives
to three or four public institutions in New
York, where the Astor millions and hun
dreds of millions have been made, sums
equal TO the income of his estate for. saw
two days, at the outside. To one old SER
the interest on the estate for one
day. 1t is well for his daughter. Mrs.
Drayton, that she drew largely on her
share during the lifetime of her father.
otherwise she would have Jared badly. As
she gets nothing in the will the clause
TX aTr,ha rst 49,
contest has no terrors for her. She is
disinhetted if she does and disin-
herited If she doesn't. Mr. Henry Aston.
brother of the testator, a farmer Of
Columbia county, comes in for codicil
which sets forth that neither ne nor his
issue shall have so much as one red cent
TO rub against another. The father of
these two men, William B. Aston. gave
Henry small amount OF money. although
he had offended the family by marrying
a respectable girl, the daughter of
farmer employed on the Aston estate at
hnlneclH-on-tne HUDSON. This was the
only oHense charged against Henry. so
Tar as the public ever knew. This offense
Will not strike most people as being I'M
pardonabie. and yet, in the eyes of the reIa-
tives, 1t seems TO be growing in Nervousness
as the years go by. 1t wasn't so dread
Iui during the lifetime of his father,
Tor that stern parent conceded him
a few paitry dollars; but coming down TO
this generation, he doesn't receive SO much
as a plastre, and a piastre for the son of an
Astor IS mighty short pasture. so to speak
Perhaps as the years glide by and
MS oHense becomes still further in
tensihed, his branch of the family
will be required TO pay in something
each year to the other branch by way
OF further atonement for marrying whom
he pleased. 1t is gratifying to know that
henry Astor has been doing right well
since he contracted this marriage. not
outstanding that his rich relatives didn't
like 1t. he always was an independent
sort OF man, and rather enioyed
earning his own living. After his
marriage he went 70 farming in earnest
and, having helpful partner IN his wife.
he has been accumulating lands ever since
and now owns several of the finest farms
IN Columbia county. He does not need