Random Reminiscences of Men and Events

cult Art

xplaining their significance; and he taught me the principles and methods of business. From early boyhood I kept a little book which I remember I called Ledger A-

n or eight years old I engaged in my first business enterprise with the assistance of my mother. I owned some turkeys, and she presented me with the curds from the milk to feed them. I took care

e and dignified birds walking quietly along the brook and through the woods, cautiously stealing the way to th

owed a tendency to deteriorate. Once, when I was being punished for some unfortunate doings which had taken place i

e had been expressly forbidden to skate at night. Almost before we got fairly started we heard a cry for help, and found a neighbour, who had broken through the ice, was in danger of drowning. By pushing a pole to him we succeeded in fishing him out, and restored him safe and sound to his gratef

ING A

es of commercial transactions. This training, though it lasted only a few months, was very valuable to me. But how to get a job-that was the question. I tramped the streets for days and weeks, asking merchants and storekeepers if they didn't want a boy; but the offer of my servi

ortunity that I had unearthed. When finally at what seemed

between us about pay. This was September 26, 1855. I joyfu

ommercial college had taught me the rudiments of business, and I thus had a groundwork to build upon. I was fortunate

ith $50 for my three months' work, which was no doubt

ng concern, my department being particularly the office duties. Just above me was the bookkeeper for the house, and he received $2,000 a year salary in lieu of his share of the p

ticeship, I can see that its influence was vital

my age, who were quicker and who could figure and write better than I. The firm conducted a business with so many ramifications that this education was quite extensive. They owned dwelling-houses, warehouses, and buildings which we

large house to-day. I thoroughly enjoyed the work. Gradually the auditing of accounts was left

out a yard long. This neighbour was one of those very busy men. He was connected with what seemed to me an

pay th

conducting affairs did not appeal to me. I had trained myself to the point of view doubtless held by many young men in business to-day, that my check on a bill was the executive act whi

ople. I had to learn how to get on with all these different classes, and still keep the relations between them and the house

boy of seventeen to work out this problem to the satisfaction of all concerned, including my employers. But I thought the task no hardship, and so far as I can remember I never had any disagreement of moment with any of these transportation interests. This experience

some one else, to whom we feel a responsi

The next year I was offered a salary of $700, but thought I was worth $800. We had not settled the matter by April, and as

years older than I, who wanted to establish a business and was in search of a partner. He had $2,000 to contribute to the firm, and wanted a partn

of his children when they reached twenty-one. He said that if I wished to receive my share at once, in

he added, "th

urse the financial institutions could not supply all the demands, so there was much private borrowing at high figures. As I needed this money for th

lling, and I took charge of the finance and the books. We at once began to do a large business, dealing in carload lots and cargoes of produce. Naturally

FIRS

P. Handy, a sweet and gentle old man, well known as a high-grade, beautiful character. For fifty years he was interested in young men. He knew me as a boy in the Cleveland schools. I gav

do you wan

ousand

t," he replied. "Just give me your own ware

ld up my head-think of it, a bank had trusted me for $2,000!

I was able to go to him and recommend that he should make a certain investment in Standard Oil stock. He agreed that he would like to do so, but he said that the sum involved was not at the moment available,

O BUSINESS

s is the right business principle. Not long after our concern was started our best customer-that is, the man who made the largest consignments-asked that we should allow him to draw in advance on current shipments

winning their friendship, and my partner's displeasure put me on my mettle. I felt that when I got into touch with this gentleman I could convince him that what he proposed would result in a bad precedent. My reasoning (in my own mind) was logical and convi

that he continued his relations with us as though nothing had happened, and did not again refer to the matter. I learned afterward that an old country banker, named John Gardener, of Norwalk, O., who had much to do with our consignor, was watching thi

that we were engaged in, and went pretty well over the states of Ohio and Indiana. I made up my mind that I could do this best by simply introducing our firm, and not pressing for immediate consignments. I told them

that we hardly knew how to take care of it, and in the

needed to carry on and develop the business. As our successes began to come, I seldom p

merchant; look out, or you will lose your head-go steady." These intimate conversations with myself, I am sure, had a great influen

as I look back at them. Occasionally he would come to me and say that if I needed money in the business he would be able to loan some, and as I al

I have got to

ning anything for a little time, and then offer it back later. I confess that this little discipline should have done me good, and perhaps did, but while I

AT 10 P

ent. was outrageous, and none but a wicked man would exact such a charge. I was accustomed to argue that money was worth what it would bring-no one would pay 10 per cent., or 5 per cent., or 8

ay from home at school. I used to greatly enjoy these talks, for she was an able woman and a good talker, and as she charged us only a dollar a week for board and lodging, an

nts on the subject. She knew that I was accustomed to make loans for my father, and she was familiar with the rates secured.

matters have been of slow growth along the line of proved economic theory-very rarely

n the country farther west much higher rates were paid, which applied usually to personal loans on which a

BLE B

n the three-o'clock train. I drove from bank to bank, asking each president or cashier, whomever I could find first, to get ready for me all the funds he could possibly lay hands on. I told them I would be back to get the money later. I rounded up all of our banks in the city, and made a second journey to get the money,

G CHUR

asionally I had to hear members who belonged to the main body speak of the mission as though it were not quite

and there was a mortgage of $2,000 on it whi

n in the church, but notwithstanding this fact, he felt that he should have his money, and perhaps he really needed it. Anyhow, he proposed to take such steps as were necessary to get it. The matter came to a head one Sun

guishing of that debt. I pleaded and urged, and almost threatened. As each one promised, I put his

in small amounts ranging from a few cents to the more magnificent promises of gifts to be paid at the rate of twenty-five or fifty cents per week. The plan ab

embers of the mother church were properly humiliated to see how far we had gone beyond their expectations,

with pride rather than the reverse, and I continued it until my increasing cares an