The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1894-06-22
AsToR IN ENGLAND.
Ubiquitous Tom Ochiltree Tells How the
Millionaire Does Things

The arrival IN Washington OF Colonel
Tom Ochiltree after four years absence
created something Of a sensation this
week at the capitol. Colonel Ochiltree
is always entertaining and has many
friends in Washington. He knows every
body, of course, and those that don't
know him know Of him. When he ap-
peared on the floor Of the house the 9TH
er day, he received something like an
ovation. All his acquaintance gathered
around him, and the noise was so great
that the speaker had to rap for order
and suggest that those who occasiOned
the disorder should retire to the cloak
room. Members clustered around the
redheaded ranger Of the Rio Grande to
congratulate him ON the cut of his
clothes, the loudness Of his trousers, the
added 20 pounds Of weight which he
had gained during his residence abroad
and to listen to the latest stories which
he brought from across the water about
the nobility Of London.
The colonel is a great admirer Of the
British aristocracy. He does not speak
familiarly about any one of lower de-
gree in the peerage than an earl. The
way he talks about his friend the duke
Of this and the duke of that is paralyzing.
There is only one gentleman without
title in London that Tom speaks enthu-
siastically about He is the American
named Astor, now running Tory pa
per in the British metropolis.
"William Waldorf Astor," said the
colonel as he cast his weather eye to-
ward the ceiling, crossed his legs reflect
lively and waved his hand gracefully
through the air, sis paralyzing London
by the evidence which he gives of what
American wealth and American high
breeding can accomplish abroad. He is
worth 5000, 900, O0C and would gladly
have spent his income in New York had
he been given half a show. He is an
author and gentleman. He was anX-
ious to enter politics and presented him
self for the suffrage of the people of
Gotham as q candidate for congress. AS
they always do in New York when a
gentleman runs for office, Mr.. Astor
was unceremoniously turned down. He
therefore concluded to move temporari-
ly at least 30 a more congenial cline
and is now located in London. His
methods have elected admiration and
amazement from that the greatest cap
ital in the world.
'He wished to buy home. what
is the best house for sale in LondonP
asked Mr.. Astcr. 'Cliveden, said the
attorney. Tt belongs to the Duke of
Westminster and can be had for $6,-
900, OG0.' Buy it,, said Mr.. Astor,
'and bring the deeds to me in half an
hour, if possible Good heavensP ex-
claimed the attorney, it will take sew
eral days to consummate the transac-
tion. 'Consummate it as quickly as
possible, retOrted Mr.. Astor, 'and if you
have six or seven more houses just as
good trot. them out.
''He gAt Cliveden and is now spend
ing 1000, 600 in fitting it up, and he
is beating the dukes on their own
ground A few days after, Mr.. Astor,
who has literary tastes, inquired in a
casual manner whether any first class
paper was for sale. L want the best
there is in the market, said Mr.. Astor,
'and l want it quick too.
" The Pail Mall Gazette, said the
attorney, 'can be purchased, but the price
is enormous Never mind the price,
but go and buy it for me. The bargain
was struck the same evening. The next
morning Mr.. AstOr sent for several un-
employed dukes, earls, marquises and
viscounts, and offered them jobs as edi
tors and reporters on his paper They
said their prices would be necessarily
high, owing to their social positions.
- Expense cuts no figure with me-,
said Mr.. Astor. My object IS purely q
philanthropic one, which is to relieve
the suffering and distress among the
nobility of England His managing
editor wears a coronet as he uses the
blue pencil. His police reporter is a
descendant of a family which came
over with Billy the ConquerOr. The
society reporter, when off on his vaca-
tion, lives in baronial castle in York
shire. No such staff is found on any
other paper on the globe. When Mr..
1Astor gets up in the morning and rings
for coffee and toast, his managing editor
is waiting outside the door to receive
orders for the day. A tap of his bell
summons three earls and marquis. He
tried to get countess for the lady
cashier of the business Office and was
much disappointed at failing to do so,
but expects before the season is over to
complete a transaction with dowager
duchess, who will lick postage stamps
and add dignity to the down stairs de-
partment Of the paper.
"It can naturally be supposed that
Mr.. Astor's lavish display of wealth and
praiseworthy efforts to relieve distress
among the nobility in London have
brought him into great prominence. No
one puts ON any frills to him, tell you.
Americans are proud of man who could
buy out the royal family and yet is a
simple citizen of the United States,
holding up its banner and defending its
democratic traditions.
"Mr. Astor did not like the hotel in
London at which he was obliged to stop.
He sent for his attorney. Where is the
best site for a hotel in London?' asked
Mr.. Astor. The Thames embanl1ment, )
replied the attorney Buy it, said Mr..
Astor 1t is not for sale, said the at
tOrnev. sAnythinp is for sale. said Mr..