Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/307

 inclination to take up charitable work to any extent. As a matter of fact, what little is known of him in this connection became public within a very recent period. His friends say he gave largely and was generous to a degree when he was assured of the genuineness of a reported case of distress. He never, so far as can be learned, made use of any public organization in the disbursement of funds for any charitable object. Whatever he did he preferred to do with his characteristic secrecy.

He was greatly influenced by his family in giving, and through his children quite a large number of institutions were aided by the money of the financier. For instance, his daughter Helen, of whom he was exceedingly fond, is interested in many organizations engaged in charity work. Through her Jay Gould has given frequently and largely.

A pretty story is told of the charity organization society that existed in Mr. Gould's own household. Its sessions were held each morning after breakfast. Like other rich men, he was assailed constantly with showers of begging letters. These were regularly sorted out every morning, and each member of the family chose as many from the pile as desired until none were left. If a letter appeared to describe a case of real need it was placed in the center of the table. The others were burned.

Then ensued quiet investigation, conducted as secretly as the operations of the closest detective bureau. People in want were given aid commensurate with the needs of the particular case, but