Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-01-01
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
SMALL BEGINNINGS.
rho Estimate Put Upon Apparent Trifles
by the Eccentric Daniel Drew.

On the street rs "Uncle Daniel. the
Methodist and great man
lger of finance, was always much inter-
ssted in the young. and keenly observ-
ant OF their habits. Like all self-made
men, he believed in small beginnings.
and considered that a boot black s
chair or . peanut-stand, if faithfully
might be the stepping-stonc
10 q future business and fortune.
He was always looking for cvi-
iences of financial genius among
this class. and nothing escaped his
eaglo cye.
Among other peculiar theories was
the ono that boy who had sense
enough to leave door as he found 1t,
whether open or shut, must necessarily
have something in him that was worth
developing. On one occasion. a news
boy ran into Mr. Drew's Office, and on
going out found that the door did moi
close easily. After making several
attempts to latch it, he
back. put down his load,
and carefully serutinized the lock.
Mr.. Drew sat watching him intently.
"Say, Uncle Daniel" the boy yelled
out at last, giving the knob few pro.
fessional turns, Il can't shut your old
door, 1t needs taking off and cleaning
Here you arc-1gnes, Herald, San,
Tribune! 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, 'tlon't
you think new lock would be better
for that door than cleaning the Ole
one?'
Certainly, Uncle Daniel" the gamir
responded, III you can afford il" !"
This bit Of facetig touched Mr. Drew's
keen sense Of humor, and practically
settled the business.
''is there anything" he asked, 'thal
you'd like better than selling papersP"
as there?' said the boy" "Any
body must be luny to ask that eues
ton"
"Well, what would you rather doP'
Mr.. Drew persisted.
"Why. I'd rather learn how to fl,
clocks when they won't 60, and locks
when they won't latch, and engine;
when they get cranky, and sucf
things. I'll bet / could make that OLE
latch o'yourn work like a daisy now,
and | amt never learned anything 81
far"
go to work at the lock, Johnny, ="
said the gentleman, land we'll see. !"
And he did see. Johnny fixed thu
lock, and after that was apprenticed Il
O tinker, and turned out we'll
On another occasion, petty thief
had been committed in one of the olii
ces contiguous to Mr.. Drew's.
ragged but clean-faced boy about clever
years old, who attended to the fires il
one or two of the offices, was accuset
of being the guilty party. A mob o
clerks and officials hed pressed abou
the lad, as a policeman searched hi
clothes for the missing articles. Mr.
Drew stood near; and, as The office
brought out two little packages from
the tattcred pockets-one wrapped Ii
n 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 loude
at this trembling asseveration of in
nocence. When the wrapping wa
torn away, a part of horn comb wa
revealed. The tin-foil covered piec
of hard soap, about three inche
square.
The voice of Uncle Daniel was hearg
at this point
IN go security for any lad whC
carries 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 tolt
the officer, land then pass him owe
to me-"
What Mr., Drew said to the lad, wht
was proved innocent of the crime i'm
puted to him, does not transpire; bu
this bit of soap had more power TO
good in it than many bars. A boy il
his poverty-strioken condition VIII,
would keep himself clean and his hal
tidy was bound 10 make his mark. ant
Uncle Daniel was ready and willing I,
help him.
A bright American boy started a pea
nut stand on the corner of Wall ant
Broad streets. 1t became at once i'm
mensely popular. One day, Mr.. Drew
stood on the corner talking to som,
friends, when II drunken ,loafer reelet
up to the stand, and, after making fey
insulting remarks, lifted his foot an,
sent peaAats and roaster. apples an,
oranges. tumbling into the street.
Now, this was misfortune to an
vender, and Mr.. Drew turned to Sc
what the lad would do. To his sur
prise he found him laughing heartily
as every passer-by, whether well-dresse
man or ragged boy, stopped 10 pick u
and walk away with the displace
goodies The lad rescued his roasting
machine, but made no attempt to say
anything else.
"Why don't you scurry round an
p'ck up some of your stuff" Uncl
Daniel asked, impatiently. "And wha
in creation are you laughing atp"
"What chance would | have with a
those Wall street sharpersp" the la
asked. I'm laughing to think ho'
everybody goes down sooner or late
who does business here. never rea
lied before that was broker, like th
rest of EN-"
Uncle Daniel saw the point, an
joined in the laugh.
d" suppose you've made enough t
buy new stock withPn said Mr.. Drew
"Yes, sir. l could set up half
dozen stands; but, after this, l shoul
always be expecting depression i
stocks. You may enjoy black Friday
Mr., Drew; but one is enough for me,
"What do you calculate 10 doP" IL
gentleman asked
I've made enough to 90 to scho,
for three months or more, sir; and
think shall start in and study"
AGO it, said Uncle Daniel; "an
when you want a place, just let IL
know. "
The above are simple samples of M
Drow's interest in matters that are usl
ally of small account 10 business mei
He saw what Others passed by unn,
ticed, and cared little for what othe
thought he ought to be moved by
Eleanor Hirk, ~ ZioH'S Hcr1'd.
A SUCCESSFUL DECEPTION.