The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-12-05
LITTLE fRlNes.


The Estimate Put Upon Apparent ffffies
by the Eccentric Daniel Drew.
The late Daniel Drew. better known
on the street rs Uncle Daniel" the
renowned Methodist and great man
ager of finance, was always much inter-
ested in the young. and keenly 6lfsery-
ant of their habits. Like all self-made
men, he believed in small beginnings,
and considered that boot blacks
chair or peanut stand, if faithfully
managed. might be the stepping-stone
to future business and fortune
He was always looking Ifor evi-
dences of financial genius among
this class, and nothing escaped his
eagle eye.
Among other pecdliar theories was
the one that boy who had sense
enough to leave door as he found it,
whether open or shut, must necessarily
have something in him that was worth
developing. On one oecasion. a news
boy ran into Mr.. Drew's Office. and on
going out found that the door did not
close easily. After making several
Intellectual attempts to latch it, he
stepped back, put down his load,
and carefully scrutinized the lock.
Mr.. Drew sat watching him intently
Say, Uncle Dailielin the boy yelled
out at last, giving the knob few pro-
fessional turns. ii cant shut your old
door. 1t needs taking off and cleaning.
Here you are-1inles, Herald, sun,
Iribunei Here you are!'
The next day, when the lad came
again with the Papers. the gentleman
called him to his desk.
"Say, my son. he began, ''do1't
you think new lock would be better
Tor that door than cleaning the old
oneP''
Certainly, Uncle Daniel, the gamin
responded, ''if you can afford IL y
This bit of faceti1 touched Mr. Drew's
keen sense of humor, and practically
settled the business.
ais there anything he asked. that
you'd like better than selling papers"
ais therep" said the boy ANY
body must be luny to ask that ques-
ton.
well, what would you rather doPn
Mr.. Drew persisted.
"Why, I'd rather learn how TO fix
clocks when they won't go, and locks
when they won't latch, and engines
when they get cranky. and such
things, I'll bet could make that old
latch o'yotirff work like daisy now,
and amt never feafned anything so
far"
go TO work at the lock, Johnny"
said the gentleman, land we'll see. "
And he did see. Johnny fixed the
lock, and after that was apprenticed to
tinker. and turned out well
On another occasion, petty theft
had been committed In one of the Off
ees contiguous to Mr.. Drew's A
ragged but cIean-faced boy about eleven
years old, who attended to the fires in
one or two of the offices, was accused
of being the guilty party. A mob of
clerks and officials had pressed about
the lad, as policeman searched his
clothes for the missing articles. MIR.
Drew stood hear; and, as The officer
brought out two little packages from
the tattered pockets--one wrapped in
corner of newspaper, the other In
piece OF tin-foil the crowd sent up
shout
"Sure's I'm born. | amt got moth
in" the lad protested. But the heart
less spectators only laughed the louder
at this trembling asseveration of in-
nocence. When the wrapping was
torn away, part of horn comb was
revealed. The tin-foil covered piece
Of hard soap. about three inches
square.
The voice of Uncle Daniel was heard
at this point
"Pll go security for any lad who
carries comb in one pocket and
piece of soap in the other" he said.
g Young fellow, don't you be afraid.
Shake every rag he's got on" he told
the officer, land then pass him over
to me-"
What Mr.. Drew said to the lad, who
was proved innocent of the crime i'm
puted to him, does not transpire; but
this bit of soap had more power for
good in it than many bars. A boy in
his poverty-stricken condition who
would keep himself clean and his hair
tidy was bound TO make his mark. and
Uncle Daniel was ready and willing to
help him.
A bright American boy started pea
nut stand on the corner of Wall and
Broad streets. 1t became at once i'm
mensely popular. One day, Mr.. Drew
stood on the corner talking to some
friends, when drunken loafer reeled
up to the stand, and, after making few
insulting remarks, lifted his foot and
sent peanuts and rooster, apples and
oranges. tumbling into the street.
Now, this was misfortune to any
vender. and Mr.. Drew turned to see
what the lad would do. To his sur
prise he found him laughing heartily,
as every passer-by, whether well-dressed
man or ragged boy, stopped to pick up
and walk away with the displaced
goodies. The lad re scued his roasting
machine, but made no attempt to save
anything else.
"Why don't you seurry round and
pick up some of your Stuff" Uncle
Daniel asked, impatiently. And what
in creation are you laughing atp''
"What chance would have with all
those Wall street sharpersP" the lad
asked. I'm laughing to think how
everybody goes down sooner or later
who does business here. never real
lied before that was broker. like the
rest of EN-"
Uncle Daniel saw the point, and
joined in the laugh.
II suppose you've made enough to
buy new stock WITH" said Mr.. Drew.
"Yes, sir. l could set up half a
dozen stands; but, after this. should