Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/247

 clubs. He did not add the excitement of the turf to the excitement of the Stock Exchange. On his return from a journey his first questions were of the welfare of his family. He made his home as beautiful as wealth, refinement and purity could make it. He loved his children, the sweet discourse of the fireside and the companionship of books and flowers. There was no attempt at display, but everything he possessed was the best. Neither he nor his wife had any ambition for society distinction. They gave no great balls and rarely were they present at "society events." They had none of the vulgar traits of the parvenu or prejudices of the aristocrat. When his son wished to marry an actress Mr. Gould interposed no objection, and even approved the choice, declaring his pleasure that his son had selected a respectable woman who was able to earn her own living. Perhaps his devotion to his family was due in part to the fact that his public career placed him apart from other men and made him an object of fear and hatred. He was an exile from the sympathies of his fellowmen. But he uttered no complaint, and found in his family full solace for any loss of friendships he may have incurred. The members of his family were his only intimate friends.

Mr. Gould was never a robust person. He was below medium height, thin, nervous and reticent. His hair, beard and eyes were jet black. He was fastidious in dress, and never approached the gaucheries that marked and marred his lieutenant,