Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-15
ANECDOTES OF VANDERBILT.


dsrbilts." By that was meant that be
was the hardest worker, the most
generous learted, the most public spirit
ed snd the most lovable OF the numer-
Gus and enormously rich family which
bears that name.
O0e day be told his mother he was
going to New York to look for place
He went first TO the Shoe and Leather
Bank. He asked the porter if he could
,ee the president. The porter pointed
nim cut. The young lad watched the
1ead OF the big bank as be went to his
private office, and, following respect
tuily, told him he was looking for
something.
His only recommendation was a note
from his teacher. The bank president
read the letter and asked the boy if he
vas related to Commodore Vanderbilt
He is my grandfather" said the
boy.
'Wby didn't you get him to intro
duce you?'
because l didn't want to ask him
for anything" was the reply.
Perhaps it WAS his independence, per.
taps his neat, comely and, withal, earn
est appearance, That weighed in his ia
vor, but he was employed. He started
At the lowest rung of the ladder, as
messenger. And here it was he began
to show the quslities that made the
man he afterwatd became. He WAS
punctual, prompt, cleancut discre, 1t,
aud as hard d Little worker as they had
in the bank.
Ooe Gay the president of the bank
happened to be 10 the office of old Com
modore Vanderbilt and mentioned to
the Commodore that he bad Wander
oilt in the bank. The old man was as
tonished and soon sent for the young
man. He asked him why he had not
applied to his grsndfa = if he wanted
Il lob. The young maj looked straight
luto the eyes ofthe old one and replied:
II made up my mind that l would
never ask you for anything"
There was something about that
answer that pleased the Commodore,
and i. is said that this influenced him
to add the codicil to his will
providing that al extra Sl,0OO,O0O
20 TO the grandson of whose independ-
spt. self-reliant spirit he had had so
complete proof.
II was while he was employed in the
bank that his grandfather was first at
.racted to this one OF his grandchildren,
who had succeeded fairly we'll in es-
Gaping his notice. One day, when he
vas still employed iu the bank, his
grandfather stopped in 10 see him and
proposed trip to Europe. This aston
shed the young man, whose life mad
hitherto been confined strictly to busi-
uess.
81 am going myself" said the Com
modore, land I'll take you along if you
want to CO."
"Aud give up my salary?" said the
young mau.
"Well, don't suppose it will 60 on
while you are gone" replied the Com
modore, erimly.
"Then guess I'd better stay" said
the boy.
Up to q few years ago he was fire.
quently to be seen sitting at stool in
the Astor House rotunda. taking fru-
gal luncheon of soup. This he consum-
ed quickly and went back to his work.
He uined at home at 7:30 o'clock, not
always in evening dress.
He collected for himself splencld
gallery of paintings by the best modern
artists. He built an addition to st.
Barthoomew's parish house.
He, J. Pierpont Morgan and Others
established So free scholarships at 20
lumbis, of which he was trustee. lie
served as chairman Of the railroad
brapcn of the Y. NJ. G. A, and identl
fed himself with the best interests OF
his employees.
He continued his fathers benefac'
tions to the College of Physicians and
Surpeons and the Vanderbilt Univer.
,itv. He belonged to The Farmers
Club and made his own lutter on bis
model farm at Newport.
He was domestic in bis incllnations.
He spent his evenings with his family
Mr.. Wander bilt took prominent
place in the summer life at Newport,
and his entertainments have been OF
the uOSl SldUOlhto NhoioStSA'
his first illness, in 1896, he had lived
quietly at his villa, entertained but lit
lie. but during the past season had ia
ken q greater interest in the social al
fairs Of the city, especially in the New
port Casino, OF which he was for many
years president.
BE was a regular attendant at the
morning concerts, at the tennis tourna
ments and at the horse show. He
drove daily with his wife, being ire
ouentlv seen on the business streets
Hs had always kindly nod or word
for his many friends and acquaintance;
! among the business people OF Newport
bv whom ne was held in the hlgheS'
| He was regular attendant at the
services of Trinity Church and con
tributed largely to its resources. al,
ways a generous contributor to loca
charities. he gave annually . goodly
sum for the support OF the local yours
Mems Christian Association. His purse
was ALWAYS open to aid the sick and
distressed in Newport, and on bis Ge
Dsrture in the autumn each year ut
| left a considerable sum for Distributor
among the poor during the winter. IL
| ,,,o,r ,avs his 6eath will be q severe