The Washington herald., 1914-06-15
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Why the L.se Jsy Could Did No.
Keep opea House.
twntfen szpFsssly fce The Hsfald-I }
ny DIR. y. y. EDWARDS.

ny DR. q. >. EDwARDs.
Jay Gould had no warmer friend durins
the last ten years Of his active life than
Russell Sage proved himself to be. Mr..
Sage entertained not only the profound
est respect and admiration for the intel
Iectuai capacity Of Jay Gould. but he
also was greatly impressed by side of
Mr.. Gonid's character Of which the pub
lie had little knowledge. That was the
more human and personal character OF
the man. Mr.. sage had abundant oppor-
tunities sfor knowing what the home life
of Jay Gould was Childless a. he was,
he was all the more charmed by the
aspects Of the home circle Of Mr.. Gould
which his familiarity with the latter had
made possible.
He often spoke of Mr.. Gould's home
life as ideal. To his friends he occasion
ally referred to the intimate relations
which were established between Jay
Gould and his son George Jay Gould.
saying that they were more like brothers
IN the perfect confidence established be-
tween them than like father and son.
SO II was with the entire family. Mr..
Sage knew that Helen Gould-now Mrs.
Finley ]. Shepard-was the recipient of
many Of the condolences of her father re-
specting the charitable bestowal of finan-
cisl assistance. She was in a sense an
alhoner for her father. She had knowl-
edge of many private benefactions OF
which the public never knew. and which
came from her fathers hands
Mr.. Sage once said that Jay Gould had
taught his daughter that indiscriminate
charity was harmful. and that in giving
It should always be the purpose to per-
suade the beneficiary that he or she
should do something In return for the
aid which was given.
Some of the benefactions with which
Helen Gould's name was associated real
ly represented what she knew to be the
wishes of her father.
In conversation with his friends, three
or four years before his death, Mr.. Sage
alluded to this little-known personal side
of Mr.. Gould's character. and said:
"The old-fashioned custom of keeping
open house on New Years Day in New
York was abandoned some years ago. II
had been carried to excess. The hospital
ity which was shown by the heads OF
families to their friends included a boun-
teous table and te-pting drinks. This
sometimes led to unpleasant experiences.
TT used to be observed that Jay
Gould's house was particularly exception
al with respect to these New Years cell
ebrations. 1t was never open on New
Years Day. That used to occasion a
great deal Of talk Mr.. Gould was some
times criticised because he stood apart
from all others in New York in closing
his doors upon New Years Day. permit
ting only the. most intimate family
friends to enter.
Il know the reason why he did that
In Mr.. Gould's business career II was
inevitable that he should have associa.
ifon with some men for whom he had
very little respect on account of their
manner of life. He could not avoid busi-
ness transactions, but he could avoid So
cial relations.
Now the open house on New Years
Day in New York meant that any one
could call. extend greeting. accept the
bounties of the table. and then depart
Therefore the business associates of Mr.
Gould for whom he had little or no per
sonal esteem would be privileged upor
that day to enter his house. He did no,
want them there. He did not want his
family to be brought into the slightest
social communication with them. There
fore he decided to c'ose- his door against
every one. making no discrimination
That is the real reason why Jay Gould's
house was not open on New Years Day
In New York at the time when the max
ing of calls was q universal custom in
this city"
Copyright. Isli. BY Dr. z. J. Edwards. All right,
rsrrred.l
Masterpiece Of Art for Fifteen Shillings.'