New-York tribune., 1908-07-15
PLATT'S 18TH BIRTHDAY
CONTENTED AND HAPPY.
Senator Spending Summer IN Cot
taee at Woodmere, Long Island.

Thomas Collier Pldtl VIII Coicpidto lie
sevepty-ffth birthday to-day He VIII speno IL
AZ q cottage at Uoodnere Long Island. where he
Is living with Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Abel There
will be an Informal little dinner party Tor MIN III
the evening without invitations TO any OUTSIDERS
but if any of the Senator's old friends and poiti-
cal associates drop in to see MIN lheS VIII oe
welcome There will be no birthday cake-one
was in course of preparation. but he vetoed that
part of the programme
I'm well and contented and happy. said Sen
ator Platt Tribune man VINO caileu on nm
Yesterday My legs bad, but my appetltes s
good and INV coior's as good yours I've al
ways wanted to the seventy-hVe marx
never had any notion OF being centeiiar IAN
less now than But maybe III rouho ou'
ninety" and he chuckIed My brother Frederick
was eirhtv-six when he died last year-he was a
banker I'D home in Owego, but don't think Nv
ing I'D in the country made any difference IN ms
term of life It's all a matter OF haolts anu
temperament My sister Is well and spry ana as
cheerful little lady as youd ike 10 see' anu
she's pretty close to my age
The veteran politician looked we'll and cheerful
His skin had faint pink glow; his eyes were
clear and bright His mind seemed as Keen ana
clear as in the days when he dominated pontlcs III
this state He had just finished shaving-a feat
which he performs whenever he doesn't care TO
have a barber bothering around-and was pre-
pairing take a nap. But instead he talked poH-
tics, philosophy applied to daily life literature
and kindred topics for an hour
The Democrats playing INTO the HdhuS VI
the Republicans all along the line" he said in
reply TO question about his views on the po1u-
cal situation Il expect to see Republican VIC
tory this fal-a substantial one. too Mr.. la1t Is
big man. a of fine qualifications 1or the
Presidency. He's Yale graduate; you know
was Yale class of SO, so 1 have that poho 10 dou
to my respect for him"
On the state situation he did not care to ex-
press his views.
IT'S too early to say anything about that ne
said
Senator Platt is living genuine simple life"
The cottage which the Abeis rented furnished for
the season is a cosey little building. with good
lawn. behind some trees and with more trees ana
a kitchen garden in the rear Senator Platt rises
early. between $50 and each morning, ana mas
breakfast by 7:3G q Then he reads ms
papers until luncheon time. sitting On the shaded
porch or in the hall opening from it-not only
the New York papers. but scores of upstate publ
cations for he follows upstate political news
keenly. And, of course. the Owego papers
II wouldn't miss the home papers for any
thing" he says
Then. af GER luncheon, he goes for drive. or Is
wheeled around for time in his wheel chalr' OF
inst sits on the porch enjoying the air. At night
and in the afternoons whenever she can MIS-
Abel reads to him. books and magazines
81 wonder if l dare tell you what one OF my
latest was he laughed. 1T was Three weeks
Yes and enjoyed 1t, too 1t was clever oh
derstand Senator Depew entertainer MI
She must be clever. The cleverness Oh hei p
iusti6ed it though was little shocked until
Iaorred that she was married and had fannlly-
We have been reading The Morals OF Marcus vi
devne and others of Lockes. and enjoying thern-
am not undertaking anything very prolounu ,o"
inst fiction and some OF 1t light fiction 100.
For twenty-five years l spent my summers a.
the Oriental at Manhattan Beach," went on the
"a 80 mr,,t felt this summer that wanted
10 he a little more quiet Mrs Abel hired this
place and brought down here. And ei'JoS 1t
very much. It's quiet and peaceful the ar Is e's
good-and very somnferous, he chuckled again dc
he thought of the nap he had expected 10 TAKE
Last birthday / was at the Oriental ne salu
some of the oldtfmers down to see me. ana
most all of them sent messages ana letterS ~
member Ike Baken sent me one saying 'hae IL
everybody l had helped sent me just one roSe INC
hotel would be overwhelmed
II am feeling very we'll noW-as well as nave
been in A long time Ny legs aren't very much use
to me- but I get myself upstairs whenever
have to. And 1 eat-why, anything MIS-
Abel just prepares the food. and eat IT, meat
vege+ a bles sliced peaches-lOts Of sliced peacheS'
I'm very fond Of them. 1t all agrees with me-
and I'm very happy and contented
ct guess that would be my birthday greeting 10
NV friends and the public Eenerally-Get content
ment and happiness will follow Surround your
self with congenal people. live simply. look on life
cheerfully-those things make coi'eA'il'eH' ~
happiness
Despite the hot weather the Senator wore sti1
white shirt, high white collar and high shoes
He had lain down for the nap fully dressed.
1T isn't often l take nap in the daytime, ne
said '.and when l do L don't bother to lay aside
these clothes. Yes l always wear stiff shirt ana
This 'choker It's a habit of years. l don't feel
the hot weather: haven't minded it at all this
summer. It's been nice and pleasant here and
Mrs Abel takes such good care OF me that nave
been enjoying myself quietly and living happily
Senator Platt has been settled at Woodmere only
two weeks He is keeping in touch, with his busl-
ness and political affairs. Each morning Mr. Merry
his secretary arrives with batch of mail, and
Senator Platt and he go through 1t together, an
swering letters and taking up business affairs for
consideration. He expects soon to begin coming
up to his office here at least once a week to be
more thoroughly conversant with the details of the
business.
Last night, after Senator Platt had retired, Mrs.
Abel and her maid strung seventy-five little Amer
lean flags across the hall where the Senator sits
a great deal reading Around the other rooms,
the library and dining especially, they placed
bunting and the feathery green of asparagus leaves
draping and festooning the decorations until the
rooms took a distinctly festal appearance.
Il had expected birthday cake with
seventy-hve candles it for the Senator said
Mrs. Abel yesterday but he said 1t all fool
shnesS. won't have that But we've deco
rated the house, and well have little dinner party
to- morrow nGht-just ourselves. but If any of the
Sena tors friends drop in, we'll make them well
come. His Edward may come down; he calls
on his father regularly every Sunday. 1 don't know
whether his Frank is in town not
EYTENCJnN Tn COCT cS 0On 00O NOPE