Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-17
AN EXAMPLE FOR AMERICAN YOUTHS,
R.rinninr a. The BOTTOM.

made by them. but the men are Few 70
whom = career is at once training and
achievement Yet this is success in its full
foger, when greatness grows by what it
leeds upon. 1t is true of such men, be
their place what it may, in camp or hall,
in business or manufacture, enacting the
laws or controlling the daily labors of men,
that their abilities rise with their achieve
ments: that their career educates them,
and the prizes Of life become the visible
signs OF aptitude in the great shool where
men set their own tasks, and rise as their
efforts are equaled by their triumphs.
These truisms 20 well NJ the man Of whom
sm gong to write, that set them here as
= compass by which to guide the course OF
the lines that are to follow.
Are YOU equal to running and taking
charge Of a passenger train%'
More than forty years ago, Thomas
Swami, of Maryland, man who was con-
lspicuous figure in public affairs for fully
two generations, addressed this question 10
q robust, manly looking youth, apparently
mot twenty years of age. Mr.. Swami was
then President OF the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and had called the young man up
to offer him promotion. Railroading in
this country was then little more than an
experiment. not locomotive had crossed
/ the Alleghanies, and our matehleSs rail
way system Of to day had then no exis-
tenCe.
AS to running the train, have no an
! prehensions, but az to taking charge of the
I passengers and performing the other
duties incident 10 the place OF q conductor,
/ can not speak: they can only be deter
mined by trial
This prompt and modest reply OF the
young man so pleased the railroad presi-
( dent. that ne said: Il have decided to be-
gin advancing men from the ranks to the
higher grades Of railroad work, and have
selected you as the first TO be promoted
from freight TO the charge OF a passenger
train"
cut this event from the midst Of a busy
and useful life, because il marked the turn
ing point of a career that has been full OF
stirring incidents and remarkable achieve
mentS. There was then a wide difference
Between the rich and powerful man and
the humble lad whom he addressed. The
distinction was wiped out before many
BEARS and they met nc the National Capt.
bal, not long ago, with their positions some
What reversed. The railroad President Of
lStO. after having filed the office OF Gov
,ernOr of Maryland and other places of dis
kinCtiOn. was elected To the lower house of
yCongress, TO find the freight hand he had
promoted q United States Senator. The
two were friends, and Mr.. Swami often
told this story of how no happened 10
start the Senator on his upward career.
Before | sent TO take him from the
lireightS one OF our directors had been on
\ train that had been brought TO halt by
a wreck on the line of the road between
Baltimore and Frederick. He came to me
and commended ne energy, but especially
al 4
in the work of removing the distractions.
Every man on the train, said he, seemed
70 look 20 him Tor direction, and to reCOg-
nize him as the leader in the work of
clearing the line Of the debris. | reasoned
that this cmplOye, who wsS so highly re-
garded 10y his associates. was a safe man
with whom TO begin the experiment of
promotion from the RANKS: 50 l ascertalned
bis name sent for him. and gave him
charge of a passenger train.
The Wings had elected General Harrison
President before the event which has been
sketched. He had died, and John Tyler
had succeeded him. The fruits OF the
whig victory OF 1910 had even then been
nullifcd, and Tyler had started the Demo
cracy on the road 10 the victory OF 1884,
when the paths of life divided, and Henry
G. Davis took the one that led TO fame and
fortune. He began the journey well
equipped with the rugged yet fertile quail.
ties necessary to success. Both sides OF
the family tree had contributed good blood
by the union OF two nationalities noted for
the strong men and women they have add
ed 10 the forces of mankind. From his
father, Caleb Davis, who was an only child,
be inherited the strength, industry ana
perseverance, that have always been no.
ticeable attributes OF the rugged people
who inhabit the mountainous little prlp-
ciDality of Wales. From his mother he
got the Scotch. Irish traits Of will force and
mental power that have always dis
tinguished that strain wherever
S0aDd. some years before he was
born, his father vas sucresstsh mercnanS
n, BaltinoFs. bat be retired IRON business
when well 10 Do, and moved 70 tsrtn In
howard county. The. ressl.tr1cre snd ONO
railroad was. IN those days, slowly creep
ing an ne httle valley tlAt fellows tho
psiapsno that aoGs between the hills 1heS
,,TIsTrt its course from Centraf Maryland Al
most 10 the sea. The father settled upon
its banks and went to farming, bus nrtn9
OF it, began a series OF specaiationd tnas
finally ruined him. de LOOK contt.eA
for work on the railroad, and lost heavily.
He built the little town of Woodstock,
that is still a station on the old road, few
miles out from Baltimore, and lost money
in the venture. In this little village the
subject of this sketch was born, on the 10th
of November, 1873. His father was then
in good circumstances, but few years
later the farm and town property he owned
WAS swept away and he died poor. be lett
four sons and one daughter to be reared oy
his widow This was no easy task, and the
BOYS who were old enough to work, early
and thOrOughly learned the lessons OF m
duStry and economy that are TO tins DAY
preCepts and examples in their house
holds.
Before he was in his teens Henry G.
Davis began 10 assist his mother in the
support OF the family. Left with the care,
government and support OF i've children,
the mother brought to her task the strong
yet kindly traits Of mind and disposition
that are such notable characteristics Of the
stock from which she sprang. She early
trained them to habits OF industry and
thrift, and brought them up in the Presby-
terrain faith, the creed Of her ancestors for
generations. She was devoted TO her
church and TO her iatherieSs children, and
she taught them to read before they were
old enough to work. Above all, she I'M
pressed upon them those sterling traits Oh
character that marked her as q woman OF
superior force. Although frail in body she
had the will power Of her race, and it en-
abled her TO overcome troubles that would
have conquered many stronger women,
She has passed away, but some OF her
family and it, traditions still linger in
Howard county. Her maiden name was
Louisa Brown and her sister is the mother
Of A. p. German, United States Senator
from Maryland. The old homestead is
still in the possession OF brother, and
there are other relics Of the family still left
that has given so many strong men and
women TO the world.
The necessity for work in the Davis
iamiiy, even after the fathers death, was
greater than the opportunity for study, and
young Henry,as we'll as his brothers, had a
very slender chance Of gaining even the
Egdlments OF an English education. Mary.
land had no free school system then as
now, for the country had not matured or
even began the splendid educational
theories Of to-day.
III.
Practical Education.
a. When quite young the manly ways the
Grlit and energy OF the subject Of this
sketch attracted ha 4 n