The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-24

reconciliation when the father is on his
deathbed, says the New York Journal.
The circumstances in this drama Cf
real life were in many respects more i'm
pressive and thrilling than they have
ever been on the stage or in fiction The
father was rich beyond the dreams of
avarice, rich to a degree that an author
would hardly dare to represent. He
was also more Unaccountably obdurate
than any literary prototype, for no stern
father of fiction ever objects to
daugnter-in-law who is rich, full
and a leader of society.
The son, young Cornelius Vanderb 1t,
made a greater sacrifice of wealth than
any man has ever been known to make
in order to marry the woman he loved
Miss Grace Wilson. He was more Cb'
durate and uncompromsing VIII e
discussed the subject of his marriage
with his father than we have ever known
a son threatened with disinher-tance
to be-
The reconciliation was not of the n
= ventionaI, old-fashioned, drama ic kind.
1t was only partial, and it was very
sorrowful not taking place in the midst
of an admtring group Of relativ S and
friends. 1t came about after the
father knew that he was in the grasp
of cruel malady which might st. Ike
him dead at any instant.
Such are the elements of this drama
of real life, which has been played be-
fore the people of New York. It's per-
sonages occupy the most conspicuous
place in the life of this great metropolis
Its scenes are laid in the mes srlerd d
houses of this country. All the great
millionaire families of New York are
more or less directly concerned in it,
and the British aristocracy is not with
out personal interest In II.
The hero of it, without questi n, IS
Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. HIS attitude Is
one that appeals deeply to eve,y human
heart capable of emotion. Many lo:cs
have proclaimed what they would do
for love, but young Vanderbilt actually
forfeited the principal share in his
fathers untold millions in order TO mar
ry the woman he loved He said:
Father, I am going to marry this
girl, and the fact that l shall lose $780,,
OG0000, or all the money in the world
for that matter, will not make the
slightest difference to me-
High finance plays part only seq
ondary to love in this drama. In order
to keep a great fortune like that of The
Vanderbilts together it is necessary III =
the bulk of the property should be I'M
, der the control of one or at most two
men.
When William H Vanderbilt dic d in
1886, he left $10,000,000 apiece to each Ct
his eight children, and the residue 10
the two oldest sons, Cornelius ard VIII
lam K. They received in all about $780,
900 apiece. Cornelius was alresdy
the richer, for he had inherited $5,000l0O
from his grandfather, the old comrno
dore.
It was upon the late Cornelius Van
derbilt that the task of management the
whole vast family fortune fell. He dis
charged it with a devotion to duty and
q nsc!entiousness which have new
been surpassed, and which undoubtedly
FASTENED his death. BY his cons rvatiye
but wise measures the fortune liz
creased steadily until at his death his
own share was estimated at from $l25,-
DOC, 600 to 5000, O00,0 0O.
In accordance with the family policy
Mr. Vanderbilt had to select a son of his
. own who should inherit the bulk OF his
fortune and look after the interests OF
the others. Mr.. Vanderbilt married Miss
Alice Gwynne, eff Cincinnati, and they
had six children-William H. Cornelius,
Gertrude, Alfred, Gwynne, Gladys and
Reginald. The Oldest, William H., was
at first regarded as the principal heir,
but he died while still an undergraduate
at Yale.
Upon Cornelius, Jr., then devoved the
great prospective responsibility. He was
educated with endless care, and the fact
that he would have control Of one of the
greatest fortunes in the world was oon-
etantly impressed upon him. His father
looked with satisfaction on his progress,
for, while the young man was not bril-
liant, he showed steadiness and strength
of character. What appeared partic-
ularly promising was his love for me-
chanics, which he has never lost. He
has beer through complete apprentice
ship In the yards of the New York Cen
trail railroad, and is today capable Of