The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-17
JaCkAStOr
AS "a
Warrior

On the eve OF the outbreak of hostili-
ties between the United States and
Spain John Jacob Astor, Jr., through
representatives in England, managed to
purchase In that country first class
battery Of six 10 FOUNDER Hotchlziss
guns and 5000 rounds Of ammunition
for eesh gun, says the New York Post
AS soon as the battery had been shipped
from England to the United States Mr..
Astor presented Ii to the war depart
ment, and the gift was Immediately ac-
cepted. When Mr.. Astor first applied
for commission in the volunteer army,
It was his object to be stationed with
this battery, but. realizing his little
knowledge Of military affairs, he later
asked that he might be assigned to the
staff of Major General Miles. This ap-
pointment he received and will join the
army at Tampa before its departure for
Cuba. Concerning Mr.. Astors military
plans the New York Journal says
John Jacob Astor is going to the
front as a soldier In the service Of his
country. 1t is as much his duty to do
that, of course, as it is of the poorest
man who has enlisted. Nevertheless it
is not to be forgotten that Lieutenant
Colonel Astor risks more than most Of
his fellow patriots and is not to. be
classed with the impoverished young
bachelor dude who gallantly dashes into
the war for the sake of excitement. He
commands 800, 600, 900, with all its
pleasure giving power, and separates
himself from wife and children besides.
A military and an American salute to
Lieutenant Colonel John Jacob Astor
He sets good, an inspiriting example
and proves himself to be q man as we'll
as millionaire.
Many stories are told about Mr. Astor.
While he was q student at Columbia
college he was an expert billiard player.
IT tell you what, Jack, said one Of
his friends, theresa billiard trick you
can't do-and I'll bet OH it. |"
What's that?" asked young Astor
why" retorted the other picking
up billiard ball and winking at his
companions, lyon cans put this billiard
ball in your MOUTH
1t was silly challenge, but Astor,
opening his jaws to their widest, seized
the ivory sphere and forced it into his
MOUTH Naturally, he could not utter
word, but amid the laughter Of his COM
panions he waved his hand in trium-
phant emphasis of his victory.
Then he tried to remove the ball
There was an unlocked for difficulty
Try as he would he could not expel the
discomforting object. He began to gasp
for breath, and his distress was so ap-
parent that ridicule ceased and his
companions endeavored to aid him. But
not even half dozen thumbs and fingers
could withdraw the sphere. He would
have died had not one of tho young men
rushed away in hot haste, returning in
few minutes with q dentist, who ex-
tracted the ball.
I9gvould seem, from an incident that
once occurred in q barber shop in New
York, that Mr.. Astor in his youth lack
ed that closeness In money matters that
stood his grandfather in such good stead
when he began the fortune that the
boy was then spending, says the New
York Sun. The barber that shaved
Mr. Astor Is remarkable in his weird
appreciation of ethics. He would deal
honestly with men Of ordinary means,
but he has an abnormal socialistic
idea that the millionaire is legiti-
mate prey for him. Therefore he re-
solved to get very large price for shay
ing young Mr.. Astor if he could man
age it, After finishing his work he
brushed Mr. Astor's coat for him with
great care and held out his hands for
the bill that the millionaire was ex-
tracting from fat roll 1t was one of
Mr. Astor's habits to pay for small
items out of one of these huge rolls of
bills The barber passed across the room
to his cash drawer, and then, returning
handed to Mr.. Astor two pieces Of sill
YER. The rich youth looked at the mon
ey and then at the barber.
"Wh-wh-wh-y, what's this?" he said.
Change for the dollar you gave me,
sir, /" responded the barber.
"But, cawnfound it, gave you a
$40 bill"
"Oh, no, sir, !" said the barber. "On-
ly one. Look in my drawer il you
like, and you'll SEQ there's nothing lar
ger than one there"
Several of young Astor's friends were
with him, and so he did not like to dis
cuss such Vulgar question as money.
He made up his mind that it was dol
lar he had given up, and jamming his
hat over his ears went for walk on the
avenue. The barber tells about his get
ting $40. 80 for a single shave.
And I'd take 500 out Of that young
fellow il could" says he.