The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-04
GOULD WAS NOT ILL.
SETTING At REST A RuMoR THAT
THE FINANCiER WAS SICK.

tory OF a Reporter Who Met Mr.. Gould
in the Railroad Kings Own House-A
Commotion in the Residence When Mr..
Gould Stumbled and Fell to the Floor.
It was about week after the elevated
'ailroad hearing in the court of common
1leas in November, 1883, that had funny
experience interviewing Jay Gould. lie
lad been on the witness stand two consec-
alive days, standing the legal firing as
calmly as If questioned by one of his clerks.
The courtroom was packed to suffocation
by persons brought there through curiosity
to see Gould. Several times he passed his
hand over his brow, and the judge ordered
the windows lowered to give more air, par
ticularly as it seemed at one time that the
witness would faint.
A couple of days later rumor had 1t that
Mr.. Gould was sick, but all reporters were
met by George Gould, who gave the assur-
ance that his father was quite well. l
called at the Fifth avenue mansion the fol-
lowing afternoon, having been cautioned
by my city editor not to come back without
positive information.
was shown into the reception room on
the left of the hall, and the servant todk up
my card. Presently George Gould entered
and said his father was dressing to go out,
asking II he could be of service to me.
Telling him of the disquieting rumors
concerning his father, he said they were
false, absolutely false. But" said /, iii
Mr. Gould is not sick, cannot see him, just
to convince myself"
"I'll see Excuse me a moment" sale
George, and he ran up stairs.
E,,n Al, lata in, xxyal1rnd Mr.
Gould, and extending his hand, which
took, he gave mine gentle shake, and ii
a modulated voice asked:
do look as IL ! were ILL.,"
George had apprised his father Of m!
mission. and he came charged He didn'
look like sick man. Bidding me be seat
ed, he let himself down gingerly upon 1
small straw bottomed chair.
Mr.. Gould sat with his side to the win
dow n little to my right, facing me. so tina
could observe every play of his counte
nance. Crossing his legs, one foot restin:
squarely on Il foxskin, he ran both thumb
over his gold watch chain and said:
well, what can do for your
Telling him the object of my call, whicl
SO far had been satisfactory, l asked hin
if it was true that he had been squeezed t
the extent of millions in Wall street, as re
ported.
Haven't heard of it," he replied in tn
same low tone and slowly.
But there are rumors that you los
heavily"
"Yes2"
as that trues"
II can't say" and he dropped one han
on his knee, while with the other he toye
necessarily with the small charm suspend
ed from his watch Chain.
"What is your opinion of the course {
the stock market within the next fort
nightf" then ventured.
Il can't say" lie replied as his blac
eyes darted from the floor into my face, q
| If he intended reading me through.
do you anticipate large grain NOV
ment this fallp
"Perhaps, yes"
"And that will of course advance IL
granger stocks, won't itf'
ayes"
| Seeing that he was not disposed to IL
| himself out TO any great extent on iinanc,
/ not that he need have feared my takii
| advantage of his information-l went c
another tack and said it WAS rumored thu
he was about to go away on IL cruise aboai
| his yacht.
| "YesYn he answered, with an attempt ;
smile.
"rhen you do contemplate goingf"
mo" And he twirled the little char
around his thumb with increased vigor.
"You do not intend leaving the city"
mo"
Then his right foot apparently got aslee
for he stood up suddenly, stamped the TO
couple of times and resumed his sea
orossing His left leg over. the right Il
time.
"Mr. Gould,n then said in desperation
us was getting tired of doing all the tai
ing, then can safely report you as qui
WE'LL and that you do not intend to take
trip on your YACHT"
Eyes" and he inclined his head gent
while closing his eyes.
Are you going down town tomorrow
.'PerhaPs."
Being asked where his yacht was then,
dropped his watch charm and exclaimed
"Well, ask Gcorgep'
We arose simultaneously and Mr.. Gou
made step forward, suppose, to open t
reception room door. The door was al
about six inches. | understood he nev
allowed door to be closed while alone il
! room with stranger. As he stepped (,
ward his foot caught in the foxskin ri
which had been turned up, and he stu
! bled.
Before he could recover himself he we
forward, but he quickly raised both han
| to protect himself and came with full fol
against the door, which closed with
bang that reyerberated throughout t
l house.
don't exactly know what the people
the house thought had happened, but in
a instant George came running across
!. hallway from the parlor, the footm
rushed forward, and small dog raised 81
; din barking up stairs that it looked al
20 riot might be going on.
When the door was opened George a
n the footman stood there open mouth
thinking no doubt | had assaulted
). Could but the latter gave II sickly sn
Q and in a few words assured his son thai
WAS all right and explained the eireu
stance. That was my last interview W
J Jny Gould.-F. Z. Hastings in New VI
World.
How Swiss Children Go to Sleep.