Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-20

Josiah quincy n the Independent.
have just found an old letter. addressed to
me on the eth of October. 1858. which led to
results quite oyerpowering in their magnitude.
The writer is William T. Harnden. He tells me
that he has applied for post of conductor upon
the Western railroad. and soiicits my influence.
as treasurer of the road, SHOULD you think me
worthy Of the office" Harnden had been sell
ing tickets at the Worcester railroad depot
buf found this occupation much too sedentary
for his active nature. He was a man
who wanted to be moving. For some
reason, which do not recall. HarBden did not
get tie cOndlic:Ofsbip: but his application
brought me in contact with this 1.-the Intelligent
young fellow, who wished to he on the go. and
| suggested TO him new sort Of business
which in the hands of bright man I thought
might be pushed to success. As director and
president of the Providence railroad. was COM
PEELED to make weekly journeys to New York.
where the bulk OF our stock washeld. The days
of my departure were we'll known, and 1 was
always met at the depot by a bevy ofmcrcnants
clerks. who wished TO entrust packages of bust
Ness papers. samples of goods aud other light
matters to my care. The mail establishment
was ut that time utterly insufficient to meet the
wants of the public. The postage was seventeen
cents upon every separate bit OF paper. ard this
was burdensome tax upon the daily checks.
drafts and receipts incident to mercantile trans
actions. | was ready to be of service to my
friends. though some of them thought my rood
nature was imposed upon when they found that
L was obliged to carry large travelling bag to
receive their contributions. | kept this bar
constantly in sight on my journey and upon
arriving in New York delivered it to a man
whom the merchants employed to meet
me aud distribute its contents. Now, ii occurred
TO me that here was an opportunity for some
body to do, for an adequate compensation. just
what was doing for nothing. pointed out to
Mr.. Iiarnaen that the collection and delivery of
parcels. rs well as their transportation. might
be undertaken by one responsible person, for
whose services the merchants would he glad TO
pay. The suggestion fell upon fruitful soil.
Harnden asked me for special facilities upon the
Boston and Providence road. which 1 gladly
gave him. and with the opening year he COM
menced regular trips Twice 4 week I think he
made theiDb. bearing in his hand q small yalise;
and that valise contained in germ the immense
express bnsiDess-contained it as the acorn
contains the forest of oaks that NAV come from
it: but many generations are required TO see
the magniEcence of the forests, while the
grOwths of human enterprise expand to their
wonderful maturity in one short life. Handlers
fate was that too common with pioneers and in
ventors. He built up great business by STEADY
industry. saw all it's splendid possibilities tried
to realize them before the time was ripe. and
died Il poor man, at the age Of thirty-three In
attempting to extend the express business to
Europe. he assumed risks that were ruinoUs
and the stalwart Vermonter. Alvin Adams. took
his place as chief in the great industry which
hasrisen under his hands.