Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-05-21
A USEFUL CRGsUs.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL AsToR WILL
FIGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ASTOR WILL
FIGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY
Stories About the New York millionaire.
Ills Remarkable Performances With
Billiard Ball - Price TO Paid For One
shaye-NIr. Astor's Hotchkiss Battery.
On tho eve of tho outbreak of hostili-
ties between tho United States and
Spain John Jacob Astor, Jr., through
representatives in England, managed to
purchase in TINT country q first class
battery Of six 10 FOUNDER Hotchkiss
guns and 5000 rounds of ammunition
for each gun, says tho New York Post.
As soon us the battery had been shipped
from England to the United States Mr..
Astor presented it to tho war depart
mont and tho gift was immediately ac-
ceptcd. When Mr.. Astor first applied
for commission In tho volunteer army,
it was his object to be stationed with
this battery, but, realizing his little
knowledge of military affairs, ho later
asked that no might DO assigned to tho
staff of Major General Miles. This ap-
pointment he received and will join the
army at Tampa before its departure for
Cuba. Concerning Mr.. Astor's military
plans tho New York Journal says;
John Jacob Astor is going to tho
front rs u soldier in tho service Of his
country 1t is rs much his duty to do
that, of course, as it is Of tho poorest
man who has enlisted. Nevertheless it
is not to DO forgotten that Lieutenant
Colonel Astor risks moro than most Of
his fellow patriots and is not to DO
classcd with tho impoverished young
bachelor dude who CALAMITY dashcs into
the war for the sake of excitement Ho
commands SlOO,000,0 600, with all its
pleasure giving power, and separates
himself from vito and children besides.
\ military and an American salute to
Lieutenant Colonel John Jacob Astorl
He sets good, an inspiriting example
and proves himself to DO Il man as we'll
us millionaire
Many stories arc told about Mr.. Astor.
While he was II student at Columbia
college no was an expert billiard player.
81 tell You what, jack F" said one of
his friends, theresa billiard trick you
can't do-and I'll bet Gu it. -
"What's that?" asked young Aston.
"Why, retorted the other, picking
ND billiard ball and winlking at his
companions, "you can put this billiard
ball i'll your mouth"
It was u 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 a
word, but amid tho laughter of his COM
panions he waved his hand in trium-
phmlt emphasis of his victory.
Then no tried to remove the ball
There was an unlocked for difficulty.
Try us he would he could not cXpel tho
discomfortirg object He began to gasp
for breath, and his distress was so ap-
parent that ridicule ceased and his
companions endeavorcd to aid him. But
not evenu half dozen thumbs and fingers
could withdraw tho sphere. He would
have died had not one of the young men
rushed away III hot haste, returning IN
few minutes with u dentist, who eX-
tracted tho ball.
1t would seem, from an incident that
once occurred III a barber shop i'll New
York, that Nh. Astor in his youth lack
ed that closencss III money matters that
stood his grandfather III such good stead
when he began the fortune that the
boy was then spending, says the New
York Sun. The barber that shaved
Nh Astor is remarkable i'll 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 Nh. Aston if he could man
age it, After finishing his work he
brushed Mr. Astor's coat for him with
great care ard held out his hands for
the bill that the millionaire was OK
tracing from fat roll. 1t was one of
Mr. Astor's habits to pay for small
items out of one of these hugo rolls of
bills The barber passed across the room
to his cash drawer, and then, returning.
handed to Mr.. Aston 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, 1 gave you
$40 bill.
ooh, no, sir, (" said the barber. "on-
ly a one. Look in my drawer if 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 cars went for Il walk Oh the
avenue Tho barber tells about his get
ting $40. so for single shave.
"And I'd take $500 out Of that young
fellow if could, says lie.
--D, nOIJ DtnrDC