Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-06-14
MIscElLAHEous.
PERSONAL HISTORY AND TIRE
r. MENDOJS VISION,

MENDOJS VISION.
Tho New York House ana Home of Nav
10Th publishes the following bit of personal
history and tremendous vision of we'll,
known former citizen of Jefferson {:
We admire success We believe in the
old proverb that "to the brave nothing is
impossible" The man who has energy and
| perseverance and likes to mako use of them
need never fail. Tho lives of successful men
have not been all roseats. The bed of thorns
sometimes has had to be endured betoro the
bed Of roses could be enjoyed. Commercial
| men who have been successful by houest
means have been so because they trusted to
! probity and cash rather than to dishonesty
and credit; Wo came across an interesting
trade circular, the other day, issued by Mr..
y. y: fouss, the successful anction goods
mUrchant, of 500 Broadway. We were SO
| pleased with its quaintuess snd piquancy that
we think our readers should be made ac>
quainted-with tho life struggles of a Confed-
crate soldier who is now a Northern merchant.
owning the largest auction goods mart in the
United States, if not in the world.
c. b. RoUss,
whose portrait we give above, was born in
Frederick, Md, about IS years ago. He is
possessed OF the attractive, genial manner of
tho Southern gentleman combined with the
rd-headed business energy and pluck of
| the Northerner. Five years ago be had OK
| pcrlenced one of those reverscs of fortune
which sooner or later como to every one who
builds on credit. Starting again, almost
without dollar, he determined that cash
aud cash only should be the basis of his fu-
tnre business. Fl found willing assista q ca
from prominent momber of New York
firm. This very year, and within few hours
OF the writing of this article, Mr.. Rouss was
able to return the favor by helping the firm
in the hour of great need. The bread cast
upon the water had returned with interest
alter many days. In one of his businets
circulars he gives this fragment of an
AUToBIoGRApn1cAL SKETCH.
'The early success Of this writer amount
ing to nearly quarter of million Gro he
attained tho age of twenty>fiye, was achieved
| by the sheer force of persistent pluck and
iDcessant attention to business under the ip-
| spiratiOn Of the leaders from auction. When
the guns of Sumter opened Ere, this amount
was Invested in Confederate bonds, and their
owner went forth as private soldier under
the banner of Lee and Jackson. An o,d
rival, most intimate friend, invested his
wealth, half a million, in real estate. When
we met, VIC specuiated as to where uud how
the war would leave us. When the clouds
had drifted away, your humble servant
Travelled from Appomatox, through the
burned district of Richmond, not even call.
ing at tho Tradesmen's Bank for the bonds.
then worth two cen.s pound, homeward in
the old valley, seeking the charity of food
along the way, staggered, disheartened, but
still brim full Of that metal called grim res
o!utiOn. William Ira Smith came out of the
ruins of the fire with his half million at
par, and was counted among the wealthy and
favored of the Old Rebel Capital. He was
clever, genial and generous, end his friends
| were welcome, and his motto was, sspay when
! you please" aud upon the banner tha. Iosted
over bis palace were inscribed the letters
time The writer, after years toll, roast>
ing IN the harvest field, and freezing at the
corn shock, made enough to get to this eity.
and met Topping and Wardlaw and Hoyt
aud the feDners. The nightmare of an ante.
beilum debt of twelve thousand dollar.
stared me In the face, but Robert WardIaw
passed his word, and the debt, dollar for doll
lar, was obliterated, and the foundations OF
inture trlumphs laid. Yet, once more mis-
fortune laid Its heavy hand upon its old vic>
INN IN the shape OF partnerships, and almost
In single day second fortune of two hunA
!
Again calling into play that nerve ths. never
quIvers, that ambition that never dies. and
that resolution that masters impossibiIities.
without dollar in the world, in few shori
years the last foundation stone had been
piscedrupon which We shall rear the monu,
mont dedicated to the almighty dollar.
IN TIE DREAMLAND OF DELIR1UM.
The wild fight of fancy, in the agony Of
malaria, liogering near the great gates be-
tween time and eternity, this writer stood on
Broadway in 1881. The children of this
generation had been swept away by unspar-
ing time. Where once stood the MetropoIi-
tan there now lowered colossal glass and
steel concern twenty one stories high, with
five underground. The proprietors, Win
chester & Duane, paid a buDdred thousand
rent, had two hundred and eighty depart
ments aud two thousand men Their sales
ran to one hundred million, and their terms
cash before delivery. King Credit had long
slept in oblivion. Rrial navigation had
nearly starved the iron beTse, and electricity
was the motor of heaven and earth. -Four
intense dazzling suns Illuminated the city a,
| if IL were midday A factoyy q, 0EotL =.