The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-17
GEORGE ". VANDERBILT
And how Be Koos Wisdom Amid Lux.
ury and Leisure.
GROESUS And SCALIGER IN ONE.
Traits and Habits OF the wealthiest suitor
who Ever Neglected venus
For Minerva.


George Vanderbilt is one OF natures
queer freaks. He is the least known or
any Of the enormously wealthy men or
| New York He must be worth at least
SIS, 900, but he might walk the length
OF the entire city without being recogniz-
ed by half dozen persons. He has never
been prominent in any public movement.
He has never attended a public function
where crowds OF people congregated' and
when he goes to the theatre or TO the
opera, he hides himself in the rear Of a
| box.
But he is a most interesting man never
theless. Just now he is at Bar Harbor,
where he has a beautiful country nome
and where he entertains the members OF
the Vanderbilt family. and perhaps few
personal friends. lie IS n great object OF
interest TO the pretty young unmarried
women, and the match making mammas
who congregate with matrimonial malice
I'm their hearts at this gay resort. one
day Dame Rumor has IL that he Is going
TO marry, and another day Miss Grumpy
just as asslduousy denies the report. And
so II goes While the young man is get
ting older, his fortune is Increasing rap
idly, and the marriageable daughters and
the match making mammas become dis
tracted.
Young Vanderbilt has many fads. First
Of all, ne is book worm, and In way
woman hater. He seems 10 have great
regard for women in the aggregate. but
great deal Of love for his mother in par
ticular. He spends much Of his time In
her society, and II may be truthfully said
that the pair are on the most affecttonate
terms. He is essentially "a mothers
boy" He is the only unmarried grand
son OF old Commodore Vanderbilt.
Formerly he was rated as being next TO
John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest young
bachelor in the United States, having
million dollars in his own right and con-
troll for every past year of his life. Now
as John Jacob Aston is a husband and
father George Vanderbilt stands at the
head Of his class alone.
In the society columns and once In n
while, too, in the general news and police
reports Of the New York newspapers you
can read much of other young men OF
wealth, but there Is hardly ever any men,
ton made of this scion of the house OF
Vanderbilt.
An amusing instance Of how little he Is
known occurred but a short time ago, not
far from that part OF the town where the
splendid Vanderbilt mansion stands 1t
was IN the shop Of bookseller who
makes a speciality OF buying and selling
rare and curious books. On this occasion
there were half dozen book worms ex-
aiming the shelves. while young sales
man looked out at the passing show. He
saw a young man come in, but paid no
attention to him. It is the fashion for
men to come and go in such shops for
hours without purcha sing
This young man was somewhat above
the medium height. but not robust his
face was pale. his eyes and hair were
dark. and he looked not over strong.
He was plainly dressed IN a fairly well
fitting business suit. and looking at him
casually you might put him down as
a we'll paid clerk or a business man in
average circumstances.
The newcomer pulled book after book