MR VANDERBILT AND HIS LACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7267, 30 November 1901, Page 3

MR VANDERBILT AND HIS LACE.

An amusing story is retold in " The Gentlewoman" at the expense of Mr Vanderbilt, who on his recent visit to Brussels was keenly interested in the old city. The museum of beautiful laces had a special attraction for him, ancl he could not find it in his heart to leave without taking Bome of the costly specimens with him. Thinking that a millionaire could have no difficulty in obtaining them, he sent for one of the guardians : " I don't care how much I pay, but you must sell me a piece of thig lace," he said. The poor man was horrified, a-nd explained that they belonged to the State, and were not for sale. But Mr Vanderbilb persisted, aaid refused to kave the building until he had got what he wanted. The guardian sent to the burgomaster, and asked if a visitor had any right to act in this way. " Assuredly not," said the Magistrate, " but it is better to avoid any disturbance with an eccentric character of that kind, so send for some lace ab the nearest shop, sell him that, and wo will give the money to the poor." The guardian did as' he was told, and returned with two or three handkerchiefs, saying that he had got permission to sell those. But when the millionaire heard that 80 francs was all that was asked for them, he was not satisfied. So the man quietly returned and bought some others of a 'different pattern, which he sold him at £20 apiece, to the delight of Mr Vanderbilt and to the profit of the' poor of Brussels.