Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-10
Gales aud Sketftfs.
Ra,seII Ssge's Ronasce.


BoYIsH AMBITIONS THAT MADE THE MIL
LIoxAIRE Two LOVES IN ONE LIFE
TINE
A bright, blue-eyed, curly headed youth
might have been found between 1921 and
1880 on the streets of the village of Troy
looking for q job. His associate when
business was dull was the street gamin.
His father, Henry Sage, was poor man
and was unable to give his son Russell a
thorough education. A loving mother.
had guided the early instincts of the youth.
and when, at the early age of 9, he was
thrown upon the world to seek his fortune
he was prepared to meet the trials and
temptations thrown about him. Russell
found employment with large grocery
firm in Troy, not far from mis- own home.
He soon developed an ambitious tendency,
working industriously by day and seeking
to improve his little store of knowledge
at night After few years of earnest
work he rose in the estimation of his en-
ployers, and at the age of 20. had won an
excellent reputation. and was holding a
position of trust. Young Sage was fond
of society and was hail fellow well met
with chosen associates. Ten years of
self-instruction had made him bright
conyersationalist, and his natural oratori-
cal powers advanced him rapidly.
At this age Sage had become a we'll,
developed man, it is said by those who
remember him. a handsome man. The
Trojan bells Wed with each other in their
efforts to gain his attentions. The rising
man, however, was as sensible in his love
as in business matters. At % he waged
a conquest of love in high life. Miss Annie
Carman. beautiful woman, full OF grace
and womanly instincts. had captivated his
heart The parents of the fair maiden
Gratis of the day. and young Sage had little
to offer in exchange save his pure love
and ambition.
It was not the sort of match that might
be desired for the flower of highly
aristocratic family. and although the love
became mutual. Sage deemed it unwise
to make known his intentions to the par.
ents of the young lady until he had i'm
proved his condition in life. Meanwhile
his ambition to rise led him to enter into
business of his own. He made money
and increased his circle of friends among
the better classes. He soon became
known as an industrious and shrewd man.
ager of wonderful ability. He was mild
and agreeable in his intercourse, and soon
aiterward he was given an important posi-
ton in the city government. This he held
for seven successive years.
Sage created favorable impression on
the parents of the young lady ss he ad-
vanced in the esteem of his associates and
constituents. At last he sought an inter-
view with the parents of the gentle girl.
He was meet with kindly greeting, and
shortly after led her to the alter. Mr..
Sage's welded life was most happy.
Shortly after he rose to the position of
president of the First National Bank of
Troy, and later on was elected treasurer
of the county in which he lived. In his
early DAYS Mr.. Sage showed the same
in business which are now
so prominent in the millionaire. For these
he was then chosen, as now, a leader of
large corporations. Many stories of his
pecuniary closeness in his early business
career are told, but those who knew him
best say that charitable heart was be-
meath the hard exterior of the business
man. AS fortune favored him his contri-
buttons to charitable purposes increased,
and many substantial checks found their
way quietly to some worthy institution.
In 1857 Mr.. Sage was elected to Con-
gress, where he spent four years. On his
return again to business life he
removed to New York and en-
tered Wall street. He soon after
ward became a prominent and successful
leader and speculater, his favorite role
being that of harmonizer. In all his
financial and political undertakings the
woman whose love had inspired all his
early ambitions never ceased to be upper
most in his thoughts and affections. 1t
was the saddest day of his successful ca
reer when the partner of his joys and
sorrows was taken from him by death. 1t
was some time before he recovered from
the blow and returned to the field of
finance, and when he did it was with the
determination to bury his sorrow. His
energies were devoted to the accumula-
ton of wealth. For years he continued
thus. With no family of children or rem
nant of his once happy fireside to cheer
his declining years, all earthly ambition
had faded from his life. His friends and
Wall street associates sought to enliven
him, and the millionaire was never forgot
ten at the banquet or reception. 1t was
at one of these social gatherings of the
beauty and wealth of high life that Mr..
Sage met beautiful and refined lady,
Miss Marguerite Olivia Slocum, who i'm
pressed him with her charming, easy
grace and admirable qualities OF mind.
Not long after this little episode society
rejoiced that at last the heart of the great
financier had been pierced by Cupid's dart.
Now it would be hard to find happier
couple than the animated gentleman OF 60
and the charming lady who may be seen
any pleasant afternoon between the hours
OF and comfortably seated in one OF
the finest equipages that adorn Fifth ave.
nue..