Evening journal., 1913-10-18
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
An Instance of William H.
VanderbiIt'S Generosity
By Holland.

81 never knew man who was more
secretiye about his personal benefac
tons than William H. Vanderbilt" said
the late C. C. Clarke TO me shortly
after he retired upon pension from his
service under the Nanderhilts. This
service began when Commodore Van
derbilt transferred his business activity
from steamboating TO railroad control
and management. Mr.. Clarke was for
many years vice-president of the New
York Central Railroad Company, and
he was the confidential financial asso-
ciate of three generations of Wander
bilts, first the commodore, next viii
liam II. Nanderbilt aud then Cornelius
Vanderbilt.
William II. Vanderbilt learned to
control what naturally was hot tenn
per In my long association with him
rarely saw him give way to un.
bridled anger, but he would come the
nearest 20 it if anyone spoke TO him
approvmgly of some benefaction or phil
anthronhy which Air. Vanderbilt had
bestowed and of which the friend had
heard
I'm the Offices of the company it
was well understood that there never
must be the slightest intimation in the /
presence of Mr. Vanderbilt that some
of his henefactions We're known to his /
suhordinates.
IL myself had personal knowledge /
OF Mr.. Nanderblt's generosity. and /
could not refrain from acknowledging /
nay obligation to him, although / was
fearful that If ! did so he would visit
upon me some OF his capacity for
strong Indignation.
"lt happened in this way: had
been ailing for some time and grad
ually found myself growing worse.
stuck to my desk as long as possible,
but knew that ! was growing weaker
and weaker
"My doctor was unable TO discover
what was the matter with me. Mr.
Vanderbilt, every day, asked me how
] was getting along and when at last
! found II impossible to go TO the
office he used to call ut my house and
SAY a few words of encouragement
"One day lie told me that he was
confident that ii ! would go away for
a winter either to Florida or to
Southern California I would find that
the change was all I needed to re-
store me to perfect health
it won't do you any good to 90 To
Florida or to Southern California and
stay only month. You ought to
spend at least six months. Now is a
good time to 30, for it is in the late
fall aud you can stay until June of
next year. Your salary will 80 right
on
II thanked him and shook my head,
Lrrf faf 81 10. ftlra
that long vacation. Finally / tohl
him frankly that / could not afford
II. ! told him that | still owed some
money on The house which | had pur-
chased and J felt that ! ought not
To incur any extra expense until that
mortgage Lad been paid off
"A few davs later one of Mr.. Van
derbilt's confidential men came TO me
and said that Mr.. Vanderbilt wanted
me TO go as soon as possible 10 south
ern California and that did not neel
20 worry about the mortgage on my
house. That had been lifted and the
house stood with clear title upon thl
records, for satisfaction to the ful
ar ,unt of my debt had heen re
corded
~Of course. I was compelled to yiel,
TO Mr. Nanderbilt's request after sucl
ceidence OF his kindly bcnefactions a.
that ln q day or two he called to SEE
me aud J said to himi Mr. Vanderbilt
I am going to southern California. Wha
can | say in the way OF thanks TO
what YOU have doneT
"'Tut. tut, he replied. nothing o
that. And saw that he would real
" be offended ii I made any furthe
allusions to his generosity.
III turned ont Just as he predicted
7 returned from my vacation in per
feet health, and I know by the wal
he greeted me that he felt that wha
he had done for me had been amply
repaid by my return to my desk will
/ abundant health
"'rhis was only one of the almos
countless secret benefactiones of vii
liam H. Vanderbilt
copyright, 1919. by Z. J. Edwards
An rfoIta rooorro1