The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-07-15

employer than the requirements OF his po-
sition demanded. He was prompt at his
post, efficient always in whatever work he
was set about TO do, and ready at any time
to perform whatever duty fell to his
LOT. His cheerful service soon attracted
attention, and his perseverance won his
way upward In comparatively short
time he was rendered and accepted re-
sponsible position on another railroad, and
the same qualities that had proven SO. val
liable in the past, soon est ablished him as
a man who would do to rely upon. At the
commencement of the war he was called
back to Maryland as the superintendent OF
the Baltimore division of the Northwest
ern Central railroad, and became manager
of an extensive iron works. Subsequently
he was elected to the Legislature and then
the Senate Of Maryland and thence
stepped into the presidency of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal, This position he
resigned to accept the vice presidency OF
the Erie Railroad at salary OF ST. 800 per
wear, and from that was promoted to Inc
general superintendent OF the ILLINOIS
Central railroad and all its branches. Since
then he has stepped into the presidency OF
that road, and is now recognized as one OF
the railroad magnates of America. lie
resides in Chicago and has an elegant
home, with every luxury that wealth can
command. His position and his fortune
are the rewards of his own efforts. He
has won his way by force of will and de-
| termination to succeed.
Three of his children are boys. Unlike
the majority who have inherited or &C.
! CURED wealth, Mr. Clarke has impressed
upon his sons the value of a practical ed
ucation. Instead of shining in society,
they are begrimed with the dust of the
workshop. Instead of leading the Ger
man. they are preparing to be leaders of
men. Instead of elevating their noses at
| the bare mention of manual labor, they
are laying the foundation for future USE
fitness Instead of spending their fathers
money in wine suppers, horse racing, and
high living, they are depending upon them
selves and developing into men Of char
|
acter and business The eldest son left
school at II years of age and entered the
locomotive shops Of the Northern Central
railroad at Baltimore as an apprentice.
He served for three years at SIS per month,
and then moved to Chicago and obtained
employment as a machinist. His father
was then the general manager of the road
but the young man was shown no consid-
Grafton, nor did he ask it, on that account.
His hours of work were as long and his
tasks as hard as that of any of his COM
panions, and he met the duties of his posi-
ton like man. In the course OF time he
was sent South as foreman of a steam
shovel, and for six months lived in the
| swamps of Mississippi experimenting the
ballasting of railroad track. Upon his
own merits he was promoted to the posi-
tion Of train master and assigned to duty
in one of the most unhealthy sections of
the South. The yellow fever broke out
and all except two of the hands under him
either died of the scourge or fled in terror.
Young Clarke knew that the interests of
his company depended almost solely upon
him, and having assumed the RESPONSE
bility. he faced death itself rather than de-
sert his trust For this devotion to duty,
and for his proven adaptability for the
work, he was made superintendent Of a
division at a handsome salary, and still
holds that position-a position gained by
hard. honest work.
| The second son is delicate, but he, too,
has entered upon practical business
career, having clerkship in his fathers
Office, where he performs the same duties
for the same salary that other clerks of his
class receive.
The youngest son, just % years OF age.
is q hard student, devoting much of his
leisure time to books. He was sent to
school, where he made rapid progress in his
studles, and was regarded as an excellent
scholar. Four years ago he left school, and
and without his fathers knowledge entered
a machine shop as an apprentice. The first
year lie earned seven cents an hour, and
worked sixty hours a week. The second
year he was paid eight cents an hour. At
the expiration OF two and half years he
had not only bought all of his clothing. but
| had deposit of $50 in the savings bank
from his earnings. During work hours
| he wore the blue cotton overalls OF his
craft. and wasn't ashamed to be seen IN
them. His foreman declared that he was
one of the most attentive and consclen-
tious apprentices that ever came in the
shops. He determined to be thorough
mechanic, and with this ambition, and ap
plication and energy, he was enabled in
less than two years to take a locomotive
apart and put it together correctly without
| instruction He never shirked his work,
and was always volunteer when any
emergency arose, no matter how disagree
able the task It may have been strange
sight to some, to watch the greasy, smutty
mechanic as after work hours he entered
the palatal mansion of his father, and
doubtless there was many a silly one who
really believed that it was a shame for
young man that might have been ''some-
| thing'' to be caught in such garb. After
| finishing his trade, he devoted year and
half to the study Of mechanical engi-
neering, and was then rendered and &C.
cepted the position of master machinist.
The father has not been insensible to
! the spirit manifested by his sons and to
each he has given handsome fortunes.
They will know how to use their wealth.
and better still if the riches take to them
selves wings, the boys will not be stranded.
How many sons of rich parents in Vir-
ginia are there who are thus preparing
themselves for future usefulness /? If the
southern boy is ambitious he dreams of
nothing but a profession. If he thought
of entering the workshop. society" would
raise it's hands in holy horror at the
degradation He may be worthless
loafer a perfumed dude; a dependent
drone briefess lawyer or clerk, and
the doors are opened wide to welcome him.
Invitations to lead the German flock in
upon him, and the fairest of the daughters
are committed to his arms. But let him
soil his hands with honest labor let him
walk the streets in the garb of workman :;
let him begrim his face in the dust and
dirt of the foundry, and the cold shoulder
is turned to him at every corner. The re-
c,It +bof yul,i1of tho old Stata ic