I
don't make money any more, and haven't any concern in the
matter."
One of the committee replied:
"Why, Mr. Astor, you are like Alexander, when he wept
because there were no more worlds to conquer. You have made
all the money, and now there is no more money to make." The
old eye twinkled at the blended compliment and jest.
"Ha, ha, ha! very good, that's very good. Well, well, I give you
something."
Whereupon he drew his check for fifteen hundred dollars.
When all else had died within him, when he was at last nourished like
an infant at a woman's breast, and when, being no longer able to ride
in a carriage, he was daily tossed in blanket for exercise, he still
retained a strong interest in the care and increase of his property.
His agent called daily upon him to render a report of moneys received.
One morning this gentleman chanced to enter his room while he was
enjoying his blanket exercise. The old man cried out from the middle
of his blanket,--
"Has Mrs. ---- paid that rent yet?"
"No," replied the agent.
"Well, but she must pay it," said the poor old man.
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