The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-08-07

his employment and return to his uncle's
house. There he obtained permission to
take course of classical studies at the acad.
cmy, permission Of which he availed him.
self with enthusiasm. He was then fine,
wel-bult youth, foremost in plays, active in
all country excursions, and ever popular
with his elders. Indeed, this last trait fol-
lowed him through life; and when those Of
his own age were at swcrd's point with him,
hewas sure Of finding friends and favor
amongst such ns were older md wiser than
himself His mother, about this time. mar
ried LAWYER Of wealth and nositian, resi-
ding in the interior of New York, who, ap.
preciating the talent Of the boy, aided him
IL, his laudable endeavors to obtain an edu-
cation, and sent him to the academy at Can
andaicua in that State There Donglas was
soon smong the first He wae the most non
ular speaker of @hem all p'ea sing OLD and
young, and causinc the hall Of the academy
to be flled with an Interested audience
whenever i was known that he was to be
tho orator Of the night His love of humor
and his keen sense Of the ludicrous aided
him not little in the quick repartee, for
which he was then, as since, noted. He was
far from idle during the three years of his
life at Canandaigua; for, besides applying
himself with untiring energy and zeal to the
pursuit of classical course at the academy
he devoted much If his time n reading in
! the law-office Of the Messrs. Hubbell His
examiners for the bar stated that they had
J never before met student who in so short
time made such proficiency; and while they
took pleasure in complimenting him. they
also extended to him the privileges which
are accorded by rule only to those who have
pursued complete collegiate course This
was especially gratifying and stimulating to
Douglas. who remarked to fellow student
that for the wealth of continent he would
not have had his smother die without hearing
that intelligence Of her sons progress"
At the age Of twenty, Douglas commenced
with the fairest prospects, the practice Of
law in the beautiful village of Cleveland
Ohio. Hardly rad the paint on his shin
gle " become dry, when sudden attack Of
bilious fever prostrated him, and confined
him to his room for months. He was thor
oughly restless; he pined for action and
when his physician said to him, "Sir, If
un,, oil 10 -,
you will certainly Illustrate my efforts, and
| die he replied, ' Not now, Doctor; there's
work ahead for me-" Upon his recovery,
| he found himself in situation such as
would crush the spirit Of ninety nine men
! in hundred. He was weak, with but few
dollars. with no friends, in region Of coun-
try that did not promise him health, and
with no knowledge of other localities He
paid his debts and left the place He van
dered, literally, from town to town. with his
strength well-nigh exhausted, when, on a
bright Wednesday morning in the month of
! November, 1888, he reached the village of
Winchester, Illinois.
In his head were his brains, in his pocket
/ his cash resources, namely thirtv- seven
and half cents, ard in checkered blue
handkerchief his schoolbooks and his
wardrobe He knew no one there, he
had no plan ef action, and. foot sore, with
heavy heart, he leaned arainst post in the
public square, and for the first time in his
life gave way to gloomy forebodings. He
had, however entered the town where
his fortunes were to mend, his life to receive
new vigor, and his successful career to
begin.
While standing thus. he noticed at the
farther end of the spare crowd of people,
and walked towards them. On a platform
stood a ed-facel, burly auctioneer, with a
straw hat md loud voice, who was argu.
ing with some one in the crowd OF expec-
tart buyers the impossibilty of proceeding
with the sale without clerk to aid him. He
was in the heat of the discussion, when his
eye fell upon the intelligent face and fragile
form Of young Douglas, to whom he beckon-
ed.-when the following dialogue ensued.
Auctioneer. say, boy, you look like
you're smart; can you figure?
1 Douglas. can, Sir
/ Arctioaeer. Will couple of dollars a
day hire you, till we finish this sale!
/ Douglas. And board?
At which reply the crowd laughed. and
tho auctioneer who thought he had found a
treasure said
"Yes, and board tumble up and 60 to
work"
/ Whereupon, Douglas. whose legs were
weak, whose stomach was empty, and whose
head fairly ached with nervous excitement,
mounted the platform. began his work as de
lputy auciioneer.. and laid the foundations Of
Ia popularity in that section which increased
with his wears and strengthened with his
success The sale for VIII ich he was hired
lcontinued three days, and attracted the resi-
Edents Of the place and the farmers from the
neighboring towns, all of whom were favor
ably impressed by the bright look, the quick
earnest manner, the frequnt humorous re
marks. and the nnvarying courtesy Of thu
young Clerk. In the evenings, when gath
cred about the huge iron stove in the bar
lroom of the hotel, and the doings, good OF
bad, cf "Oid Hickery" were the theme O.
Il discussion, one and all sat quiet. listening