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 Vanderbilt was a happy boy. He
had earned it. Now, as Vanderbilt did not want this boat for pleasure,
he at once began business carrying produce from Staten Island to New
York city. When the wind was unfavorable he used oars or a pole to aid
his sails, thus, his produce was always on time. People said, "Send your
stuff by Vanderbilt and you can depend on its being in season." Now
Vanderbilt had to give all of his earnings during the day time to his
parents, so he worked nights, but his father also required one-half of
what he earned nights, thus his opportunities were not as great as one
might think. He worked very hard and at the end of three years, it was
found that Corneel. Vanderbilt had saved for himself over, or about
$3,000 and the best of all, had earned the reputation of being the best
boatman on the river. While others were smoking and drinking, 'having
fun while they were young, for when would they if not then?' Vanderbilt
was either earning more money working over time, or at least saving
what he had earned, home asleep recruiting for the next day's labor.

He wished to marry a Miss Johnson, but could not unless his parents
would release him from all parental restrictions. He was only nineteen,
yet luckily for the young people the lady was a favorite of the father;
the desired permission was obtained and henceforth Vanderbilt had the
exclusive benefit of his labor. As he had begun, so he continued, and at
the age of twenty-three he was worth about $9,000. In 1817 he became
captain of the first steam boat that ever run between New York and New
Brunswick, New Jer