The Ways of Men

ur state when this century was born happened to be an ad

ike Utica, Syracuse, and Ithaca, instead of evoking visions of historic pomp and circumstance, raise in the min

outh was living on its slopes whose name was destined to become a household word the world over, as the synonym for the proudest and wealthiest republic y

ished a brickyard in the neighborhood of what is now Perry Street, Troy. Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson soon became esteemed

acker" face proving to be the merriest of playfellows, in their love his little band of admirers gave him the pet name of "Uncle Sam," by which he quickly became known, to the exclusion of his real name. This is the kindly and humble origin o

loyed-a vast establishment for that day, killing weekly some thousand head of cattle. During the military operations of 1812 the brothers signed a contract to

r as her patron saint, for if we are to believe tradition, St. George of Cappadocia

at the "U.S." (abbreviation of United States) which he pencilled on all provisions that had passed his inspection became in the eyes of officers and soldiers a guarantee of excellence. Samuel's old friends, the boys of Troy (now enlisted in the army), na?vely imagining that the mystic initials were an allusion to the pet name they had given him y

s pseudonym, "Uncle Sam's" beef and bread meant merely government provisions, and the step from nati

e for good he exerted, and the informal tribunal he held, to which his neighbors came to get their differences straightened out by his common sense, are still talked of by the older inhabitants. One story in particular used to charm our boyish ears. It was about a dispute over land

old of the century, and to legends of the clear-eyed giant, with the quizzical smile and the tender, loyal heart, whose life's work makes him a more lovable

's duty quietly in the heyday of life, and become a mediator in old age, is to fulfil about the whole duty of man; and every patriotic heart must wish t