A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 10

A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK.

Irving Bacheller is the authority for this explanation of how old Commodore Vanderbilt came to induct his son William^into the railroad business. In "The Hand-made Gentleman" Mr. Bacheller makes the commodore say :—: — "Let me tell j r ou a story : Bill is a fat, good-natured cuss, and wants to take it easy, like all boys with a rich father. I told him that I wouldn't have him loafing around, and I sent him | down on the farm- and put him to work there, and Bill is getting along. He played a good joke on me, "and I've made up my mind that he'll do for the railroad business. "He says to me the other day, 'Father, I need some manure for Che farm.* " 'Well, boy, how much do you want V I says. " 'Seven or eight loads,' says he. " 'How much '11 you pay a load ?' says " 'A dollar a load,' says he. " 'AH right,' I says to him. 'Come over to the car stables and -get all you need at that figure.' "What do you suppose the cuss done to me? He come over and got eight schooner loads !" Mr. Vanderbilt roared with laughter. "You'ie no farmer,' I says to him. 'Come richt over and learn the railroad business."