Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1874 — How a Lad Wheeled Himself Into Fortune and Influence. [ARTICLE]

How a Lad Wheeled Himself Into Fortune and Influence.

At a meeting of the stockholders of a prominent railroad corporation recently held in Boston there were present two gentlemen, both up in years, one, however, considerably the senior of the other. In talking of the old times gone by the younger gentleman called the attention of his friends and told a pleasant little story, which should be read with profit by every poor, industrious and striving lad. We use his own language: “Nearly half a century ago, gentlemen, I was put upon the world to make my living. I was stout, willing and able, considering my tender years, and secured a place in a hardware store to do all sorts of chores required. I was paid seventyfive dollars per year for my services. One day, after I had been at work three months or more, my friend there, Mr. 8., who hojds his age remarkably w T ell, came into the i-tore and boughtn large bill of shovels and tongs, sad-irons and pans, buckets, scrapers and kettles, for he was to be married next day and was supplying his household in advance, as was the eroom’s custom in those days. The articles were packed on a barrow and made a load sufficiently heavy for a young mule. But more willing than able I started off, proud that I could move such a mass on the wheelbarrow. I got on remarkably well till I struck the mud road, now Seventh avenue, leading to my friend B.’s house. There I toiled and tugged, and tugged and toiled and could not budge the load up the hill, the wheel going its full half diameter in the mud every time I would try to propel forward. Finally a good matured Irishman passing

by with a dray took my barrow, self and all on his vehicle, and in consideration of my promise to pay him a * bit’ landed me at my destination. - “ I counted the articles Carefully as I delivered them, and with my empty barrow trudged my way back, whistling with glee on my triumph over aifflculty. some weeks after I paid the Irishman the ‘ffiit,’ and never got it back from my 'employers. (Mr. a., lam sure, would have remunerated me, but he never before heard this story; so if he is inclined lie can compromise the debt by sending me a bushel of his rare, rine peaches next fall.) But to the moral. A merchant had witnessed my struggles, and how zealously I labored to deliver that load of hardware; he even watched me to the house and saw me count each piece as I landed it in the doorway. He sent for me the next day, asked my name, and told me he had a reward for my industry and cheerfulness under difficulty in the shape of a SSOO clerkship in his establishment. I accepted, and now, after nearly half a century has passed, I look back and say I wheeled myself into aW I own, for that reward of perseverance was my grand stepping stone to fortune.” The speaker was a very wealthy banker, a man of influence and position, and one universally respected for many good qualities of head and heart. Bovs, take a moral from this story, and be' willing and industrious. You do not know how many eyes are upon you to discover whether you are sluggish and careless or industrious and willing, or how.many there are who, if you are moral and worthy, will give you a stepping-stone to wealth and position.— Arthur's Home Magazine.