Hidden Treasures | Page 4

of Rensselaer county. His
fidelity in these trusts won for him a seat in Congress, and he was
re-elected by an increased majority, serving both terms with great credit
to himself and party.
In 1860, he had succeeded so well that he could show $200,000 on the
credit side of his bank account. Seeking new fields to conquer, he
naturally gravitated to the money centre, New York. Since that time
Russell Sage has been as favorably known in Wall street as any broker
in the country. He occupies an office in the same building with Gould,
and scores of the leading spirits, with whom he mingles daily. He
attends strictly to business, and never even smokes. Mr. Sage deals in
everything which he deems "an investment,"--banks, railroad stock,
real estate, all receive his attention. He is a very cautious operator, and
cannot, by any possible means, be induced into a "blind pool." He has,
however, been very successful in the "street," and it is said has built
over three thousand miles of railroad. Russell Sage might easily be
mistaken for a church deacon, instead of the keen operator that he is.

However, no one in the "street" will give away "points" to his friends
sooner than he. The Troy Times once mentioned several people who
said that Mr. Sage had pointed out to them investments, of which they
could never have known but for him, each investment having yielded
them thousands of dollars. He often gives friends the benefit of his
splendid opportunities, which makes him a general favorite among all
brokers. Mr. Sage enjoys the confidence and friendship of some of the
leading operators, among whom are Jay Gould.
He is a man of marked ability, and honesty. He never fails to meet any
of his obligations, nor will he allow others to neglect theirs. Of course,
he is careful what he agrees to do, but always does just as he agrees,
regardless of cost. For this reason he is known in Wall street as "Old
Integrity." Russell Sage is a shrewd, close calculator, and is worth
many millions, the result of improving his opportunities. He is a
consistent member of the Evangelical Church, and is very charitable.
Long may such men live, for we have many worse.

CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
Vanderbilt, a synonym for wealth and luxury. Who indeed has not
wished that he could have at least a small part of the vast wealth
possessed by the Vanderbilts? Yet, when Cornelius Vanderbilt was a
boy, he enjoyed far less privileges to make money than the majority
who now look on and wish; but Cornelius Vanderbilt differed from
other boys of his age. One difference was his strong determination.
It was then, much as it is now, boys liked to spend their money and
have a good time.
It was a common saying in the neighborhood where he lived, 'that when
Corneel. Vanderbilt concludes to do anything it will certainly be done.'
A ship stranded off the shore; young Cornelius' father took the contract
to transfer the cargo to New York city. This was a job requiring many
teams and a force of men to carry the produce to a different part of the
island where they were to be taken by water to New York. Although

but twelve years old, young Vanderbilt was given control of this part of
the work. His father, by accident, neglected to furnish him the money
with which to pay his ferriage. Here he was, a lad twelve years old,
with no money, in charge of a lot of horses which must be ferried over
at a cost of over five dollars. He hesitated but a moment; walking
boldly up to the hotel proprietor he said: "Sir, I am here without money,
by accident; if you will kindly advance me the money to pay the
ferriage, I will leave a horse as your security." The proprietor was a
perfect stranger to Vanderbilt, but he was struck with such enterprise.
The money was advanced, and the horse redeemed within forty-eight
hours.
[Illustration: ENTERPRISE. Engraved Expressly for "Hidden
Treasures"]
Vanderbilt wanted a small boat. On the tenth day of May, 1810, he
went to his mother and asked for the money with which to buy it. There
was a very rough piece of land on the parental farm which had never
been plowed. His mother told him that if he would plow, drag and plant
that field to corn within seventeen days, she would buy the boat for him.
It was a hard job, doubtless, the mother considered it an impossible one.
Vanderbilt, however, seemed never to recognize such a word, as can't.
He set about the work at once, and hard as it seemed to be, the task was
accomplished, the boat was bought, and