Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-10
Little Things.

The late Daniel Drew, better known
in New York as "Uncle Daniel" the
renowned Methodist and great manager
of finance, was always much interested
In the young and keenly Ob5ervant OF
their habits. Like all self-made men,
he believed in small beginnings, and
considered that boOtblack's chair or a
peanut stand, If faithfully managed,
might be the stepping stone to future
business and fortune. lie was always
looking for evidences of financial genius
among this class, and nothing escaped
his eagle eye.
Among other peculiar 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 de-
yeloplng. On one occasion newsboy
ran into Mr.. Drew's office, and on 60
ing out found that the door did not
close easily. After making several in
effectual attempts to latch it he stepped
back, put down his load. and carefully
scrutinized the lock. Mr.. Drew sat
watching him intently.
"Say Uncle Daniel" the boy yelled
out at last, giving the knob few pro-
fessional turns, 81 can't shut your old
door. 1t needs taking off and cleaning.
Here you are, Times, Herald, Sun Tri-
June! Here you arei'
The next day when the lad left again
with the papers, the gentleman called
him to his desk.
''Say my son" he began, "don't you
think new lock would be better for
that door than cleaning the old one?"
Certainly "Uncle Daniel" the ga
min responded, ''If you can afford it."
This bit of facetiae touched Mr..
Drew'S keen sense of humor, and prac-
tically settled the business.
SIS there anything" he asked, "that
you'd like better than selling papers?n
us there?" said the boy. Anybody
must be luny to ask that question.n
"Well, what would you rather do?"
Mr.. Drew persisted.
"Why, l had 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 l could make that old latch o.
yourn work like daisy now, and amt
never learned anything SO far"
go to work at the lock, Johnny"
said the gentleman, 'and We'll see.n
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 offices con-
tiguous to Mr.. Drew's. A ragged but
clean 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 4
policeman searched his clothes for the
missing articles. Mr.. Drew stood near,
and as the officer brought out two little
packages from the tattered pockets
one wrapped in the corner of newspa-
per, the other in piece of tin foil-the
crowd sent up shout.
'iSure's Pm born amt got nothin', !"
the lad protested. But the heartless
spectators only laughed the louder at
this trembling gasseverationof innocence.
When the wrapping was torn away 4
part of a horn comb was revealed. The
foil covered piece of hard soap about
three inches square.
The voice OF Uncle Daniel was heard
at this point.
"I'n go security for any lad who car
ries comb in one pocket and piece
of soap IN the other" he said. young
fellow. don't you be afraid. Shake
every rag he's got on" he told the OFF,
Ger, land then pass him over to me-"
What Mr.. Drew said to the lad, who
was proved innocent of the crime i'm
pute1 to lin, does not transpire, bHe
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 Uncio
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 im-
mensely popular. One day Mr.. Drew
stood on the corner talking to some
friends, wnen a drunken loafer reeled
up to the stand, and after making afew
insulting remarks, lifted his foot and
sent peanuts and roaster, apples and
oranges, tumblIng into the street.
Now this was a misfortune to the
vender, and Mr.. Drew turned to see
what the lad would do. To his surprise
lie found him laughing heartily, as
every passer-by, whether weil-dressed
man or ragged boy, stopped to pick up
and walk away with the displaced
goodies. The lad rescued his roasting
machine, but made no attempt to save
anything else.
why don't you scurry round and
pick up some of your stuff?" Uncle
Daniel asked impatiently. ''And what
in creation are you laughing at?"
"What chance would have with all
those Wall street sharpers2" the lad
asked. I'm laughing to think how
everybody goes down sooner or later
who does business here. l never real
zed before that was broker like the
rest of 'em."
Uncle Daniel saw the point and join
ed in the laugh.