Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-12-17
How Lad Wheeled Himself into
Fortune and influences.
TProm Arthur's Magazine.l

At meeting of the stockholders OF
a prominent railway corporation, re-
Gently 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 gen
tieman called the attention OF his
friends, and told pleasant little story,
which should be read with profit by
every poor, industrious and striving
lad. We use his own language:
"Nearly half century ago, gentle
men, | was put upon the world to
make my living. was stout, willing
and able, considering my tender years,
and secured a place in a hardwars
store, 10 do all sort of chores required.
| was paid seventy-tive dollars per
year for my services. One day, after
| had been at work three months or
more, my friend there, Mr.. Is who
holds his age remarkably well, came
into the store, AMI bought large bill
OF shovels and tongs, sad-irons and
pans, buckets, scrapers and scuttles,
for he was to bu married next day,
and was supplying his household in
advance; as was the groom custom
in those days. The artic' es were
packed in the barrow, and made a
load sufficiently heavy tor young
mule. But more willing than able, |
started off, proud that | could move
such mass on the wheelbarrow.
got on remarkably well until | struck
the mud road, now Seventh avenue,
leading to my friend b.. S house -
There | toiled aud tugged, and tugged
and toled, and could not bulge the
load up the Hill, the wheel going its
full half diameter in the mud every
time | would try to propel forward -
Finally a good natured Irshman,
passing by with dray took my bar
row, self and all, OH his vehicle, and
in consideration of my promise to pay
him bit, landed me at my destna
ton.
II counted the articles carefully as
| delivered them, and, with my empty
barrow, trudged my way back, whistI-
ing with glee over my triumph over
difficult Some weeks atterward |
paid the Irishman the bit aud never
got it back from my employers. (Mr.
b., | am sure, would have renunerat
ed me. but he never before heard this
story; so if he is inclined he can com
promise the debt by sending me a
bushel Of his rare ripe peaches next
full.) But to the moral. a merchant
II ad witnessed my struggles, and how
jealousy labored to deliver that load
of hardware; he even watched me IT,
the house, and saw me count each
piece as | landed it i'll the doorway.
He sent for me next day, asked my
name, told me he had reward for my
industry, in the shape OF 500 clerk
ship in his establishment. | accepted
and now, after nearly half century
has passed, look back and say |
wheeled myself into all | own, for that
reward of perseverance was my grand
stepping stone to fortune.
The speaker was very wealthy
banker, man of influence, OF posi-
ton, and one universally respected
for many good qualities of head and
heart. Boys, take moral from this
story. You do not know how many
eyes are upon you to discover wheth-
err 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.