New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-06

Mr.. Wendell continued as II ne mac not heaIu
the young mans remark:
ITS my price. but / can't rent to you.
couldn't have it on my conscience that young
man starting in business was running himself
to pay me rent. Look up another store where
the rent is right is my advice. That little
store of mine can stay without tenant Tor
time yet"
Offers of years rent in advance could not
move the man to whom sentiment was
stronger than rents.
THE OLD TENANT WAS SATISFIED
AND so WAS Mr.. wendell.
Another story presents another phase of his
attitude toward his holdings and his tenants
A certain young man wished to rent store,
the lease on which was about to expire.
81 have a tenant on that property" said the
little old man when approached.
81 know" replied the young man, but 1
understand that the lease is about up. l Will
give you double the rent he is paying"
The young man was invited to call again.
In the mean time the Sentimental millionaire"
visited his tenant.
"You times almost up" he said laconically.
Satisfied"
"Yes," said the tenant
"All right" replied Mr.. Wendell
When the young man called according to
agreement Mr.. Wendell said:
II have tenant You can't have the store"
But
81 don't want your money" Mr.. Wendell in
terrupted What do l care for few more
4.
day"
lust what the tax assessors think of the
value Of the improvements on some of his
real estate is illustrated in the assessment on
one or two East Side plots, the lots being as
sessed at $4,000 and the structures on them at
$1,000 each. The homestead on Fifth av, was
assessed at $4,000. Doubtless this is an under
valuation, but things as they are was almost
his religion.
SPECULATION AS TO THE FINAL DIS
POSITION OF ESTATE.
One cannot help specializing what will be-
come of this estate, as there are no male heirs
and only one of his sisters, Rebecca A. d.
Swope, is married. There are III parcels OF
land. Some of these are scattered along
Broadway from Us to lo0o-s They are
found in Beaver St, Maiden Lane, Fulton,
Bond, Pearl Beekman, Canal, Grand, Washing
ton, Blocker and Spring sts., all through the
East Side and the Tenderlon district, and the
West Side below the Tenderloin. Within the
last few months the holdings were definitely
divided among the sisters, Mr.. Wendell and the
estate of John D. Wendell by transfer of deeds.
His policy in making his investments was to
buy for each member of the family in turn.
With the exception of the married sister the
family lived in the old brick and brownstone
house on the corner Of Fifth av. and 3eth st.
This is dingy looking old place, with shut
tered windows on the side looking out upon
39th St There is nothing to prevent the pedes-
trian on the Fifth av. side from tapping the
windows with his fingers as he passes. Two
brownstone slabs rising from the sidewalk ad-
NIT to the main entrance. They do not admit
much further to the casual caller, however.
If one thinks to get better glimpse of the in
terror by ringing the door bell he is likely to
have his effort for his pains. The inner door
of the vestibule closes before The outer is
opened. At the rear of the house and con-
nected with the house by passageway is
low brick stable with mansard roof opening on
3oth ST. No automobiles ever found shelter be-
meath the roof OF this building. Horses were
good enough for Mr. Wendell. And he never
wearied them transporting him to his Office
surface car or the elevated suited his frugal
taste He did not disdain country homes, how
ever for he had two, one at Irvington and the
other at Quogue.
TWO CHICKENS THAT FIFTH AV.
NEIGHBoRS OBJECTED TO.
Up at Irvington he had chickens He used
to keep two on the vacant Fifth av. lot adjoin-
ing the homestead. One day the neighbors.
observing the number of eggs which were car
ried forth from the mansion for distribution to
relatives, and. considering this prima facie evil
dence, complained to the city authorities that
Mr.. Wendell was keeping chickens on his Fifth
av place. Despite the fact that the eggs had
come down from Irvington and were not the
product Of the two fowls, they had to go.
The little old man is described by intimate
acquaintances as practically recluse, who
showed little of his true self 10 the world He