The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-06-07
The Human Side of John D. Rockefeller

l INHNAunINNs HHOniutIr%A ItAifI uNIlIf
man, too--walkcd into the Euclid ave.
nue. Baptist church In Cleveland. The
sunshine outside WAS hot and binding
II was early summer. AS ne stepped
through the portals OF the church into
he emi-darkness, he hesitatcd and be-
gan to pun of his gloves uncertainty.
He stood Just inside the door. his neat
straw hat under his arm, a sort OF
queruous air OF expectancy on his face.
Church -goers were crowding In about
him, but none gave him more than a
passing glance. From the top OF his
polished shoes TO the highest hair on
his very gray head he was spick and
span. Although he was at least sixty
years old. the lines Of his figure his
firm position on his feet his round,
! smooth face and his healthy smile in
dicated that he was not of the long
black. sober frock-coat which sat his
shoulders so well. but rather Of the
more youthful "pepper-and-salt trou-
sers which he wore.
There was just a hint of affectation
about the manner with which he
slipped out of his gloves and threw
them up into breast-pocket He stood
uncertainty in the corridor, watching
the church-goers hurrying into the au-
ditorium. The organ was playing a
professional. The ushers at the door
were eagerly making welcome each
stranger who was coming in. One of
the ushers, a man who apparently
knew every one who had been in the
church before, noticed the dapper-look'
/ i,,, inI nd gtannal TO
greet him.
"Why are you hesitating, my friend?'
he said. with a smile of welcome.
Come right in. We have a seat for
every one, you know" His eyes had
taken In every detail of the strangers
costume at a glance. The latter might
have been a broker, a promoter, or a
professional man.
The gentleman hesitated and then
smiled. as two more ushers came up.
He said, quietly: II think I'd like to
see the richest man in the world. Where
can sit so that l can see him at SER
vice?"
They took him to the seat behind the
famous pew where John d. Rockefel-
Ter sits each Sunday that he is at his
Cleveland home, Forest Hill. But no
Rockefeller came. Several hundred
other strangers were disappointed, but
the gray-haired man didn't seem to
care. He enjoyed the service appar-
emily.
The reason he did not see Mr.. Rookie
feler that morning was because he had
no looking-glass. He himself was Mr..
Rockefeller, plus his new gray wig. In
spite Of its awkward position upon his
head, placed by an inexperienced hand.
1t had fooled the entire congregation.
After the service he went into DR..
Eatons study, where there is a large
glass over CRATE fire. In the entire
congregation only three or four people
had recognized him. Now, as he stood
before the mirror, two of these were
with him. He was looking silently at
the wig as it sat upon his head. FL
nally he took it off carefully, smoothed
1t carefully and placed 1t upon the
mantel carefully.
"That thing has lost for me pretty
nearly every acquaintance / have in
the world" he remarked, almost testi-
ly. II think 1t was a bad investment,
don't you?"
But he put II back on his head, as
devoid of hair as the golf balls he
knocks about every summer morning.
He had to. MY wife wants me to wear
it. I suppose l ought to-" he remark
ed. Since then, though, he has culti-
waited his false hair until it has the
appearance of having grown upon his
head, and he is happy. AS he plays
golf, does stunts on his bicycle on
the links, his wig is always with him.
And he does stunts" on his bicycle
which would make an ordinary slack
wire performer sit up and take notice.
He uses his machine in order to save
time on the links. He swings at a
golf ball with stroke that Is the
pride of two international instructors,
The caddy takes after the ball like n
polo pony. But Mr.. Rockefeller on his
wheel is after him so closely that he
usually finds the ball first. In jumping
into the saddle from the ground and
in finding his balance he has become
a trick rider of no mean merit. One
of his most choice bits of play 8 ,lope
on the bicycle with an umbrella in his
hand for a balance.
Riding his bicycle and playing golf
not only give Mr.. Rockefeller much
pleasure, but derel)p considerable
muscle. He is no longer a thin wisp
of an old man. tottering and weak.
Many a mechanic has WINGED as Mr..
Rockefeller shook hands with him.
Long walks and hard work on the
links, healthy, simple food, all the
fresh air that can sweep over Lake
Erie ana strike Forest Hin have done
wonders for him. He Is athletic. pig
muscled, big-limbed, almost corpulent.
His face is round, Two inches cut of
his height and he would be fat! The
popular conception OF him must receive
n severe jolt with the knowledge that
he is now industriously endeavorlng to
avoid this calamity
The golf course besides being the
training camp, Is the official glad hand
OF John u. Rockefeller. The keys OF
Forest Hill. his summer place, are
bag full of golf sticks, For the goit
course IL whore Mr. Rockefeller meets
his new friends ana keeps In touch Win
the old ones. Ana he has many, los.
lie wants tp be upon good terms with
the world The process by which this
has been brought about Is by no means
one ~ summons, writ, ana indictment,
Mr Rockefeller IL as safe today imam
.i.lItr urtI IA. l4.- s.........f. tag.