Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1916 — Great Men o’Humble Origin [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Great Men o’Humble Origin

Hon. Ex-Editor Cale Fluhart delivered th’ baccalaureate address t’ th’ r/raduatin’ class o’ th’ Apple Grove high school, last Wednesday night, without th’ aid of a white lawn tie, an’ his ETince Albert coat looked almost as good as It did at th’ close o’ th civil war. Th’ aged journalist never appeared t’ better advantage, havin’ his subject under perfect control at all times an’ engagin’ th’ wrapt attention o’ his hearers fer three long sultry hours, even “ONE WHO WUZ THERE” remainin’ fer th’ finish. Among other things he said: “Th’ population o’ this country is well nigh ont’ ninety-three million an’ th’ boy or girl who expects t’ tunnel f th’ front thro’ this wilderness o’ humanity must ponsees th’ qualities that win. What are th’ qualities that win? Energy an’ thrift? Standin’ in front o’

th’ pustofflce complainin' about th’ tariff an’ knockin’ th’ rich vron’t buy groceries. Go t’ work at th’ first thing that comes along an’ save your money. A good hod carrier soon gits somethin’ better, but once a poor hod carrier alius a poor hod carrier. I speak o’ hod carryin’ because it’s employment In every sense o’ th’ word. Become gilt edged in whatever you do, if it’s only drivin’ a dressed poultry wagon. Eflßciency means promotion an’ promotion means better livin’ conditions. Ever* successful man o’ t’day kin remember when a two-cent piece looked as big as a soda cracker. Andy Carnegie, Tipton Bud, John Rockefeller, Henry C. Frick, Tilford Moots an’ Charley Schwab are all men o" bumble origin who have brushed th’ snow from ther pillows in th’ days o’ ther youth. Carnegie wuz a telegraph operator, often workin’ twenty-four hourq straight in his barefeet; Tipton Bud wuz a barefooted boy in Kokomo, beggin’ a banana from each one he met; John Rockefeller wuz a plain clerk behind th’ counter where his feet eouM not be seen; Tilford Moots plowed in his bare feet, sometimes on circus day—even missin’ th’ parade. Charley Schwab of th’ steel trust stood around th’ forge in his bare feet, often steppin’ on a hot slug; Henry C. Frick, th’ steel magnate, blew stumps so his father's farm before he worked

up t’ his first pair o' red top boots. Tell Binkley is another member o’ th' old barefoot squad who wuz well ont* forty years ole before he tasted his* first lobster. Biography records scarcely a better example o’ an’ economy leadin’ ther possessor ss o’ th’ most unpropitioTus circumstances t’ honor an’ affluence. Tell Binkley's father could drink or leave It alone so he soon went t’ work, walkin’ fourteen miles t’ his task, an’ carryin’ his dinner, which consisted of a cold buckr wheat cake. ‘‘This is th’ age o’ opportunity an' ther is no excuse fer anybuddy playin' pool in th’ daytime. Indulgent parents are th’ worst handicap a boy kin have next t’ a fondness fer athletics. Work is th’ natural exercise. Nobuddy kin talk as bitterly agin our economic system as th’ feller wbo’si

savin’ up fer a vacation. So begin IT toil early an’ save, rememberin’ alius that theris plenty o’ time t’ see Niagary Falls after you git on a payin basis. Niagara Falls ’ll alius be where it is t’day, but th’ golden age o’ youth an’ energy is fleetin’. “Remember too, that next t’ whittlin' ther’s nothin’ as demoralizin’ an' tissue dryin’ as sowing wild oats." (Copyright, Adams Newspaper Service.;

“Tilford Moots Plowed In Hls Bare Feet, Sometimes on Circus Day—Even Missin’ th’ Parade.”