Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-08
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Daily Eagle
SOMERBY'S SUCCESS.
a Fathers Liberality and Sons
ThankfulneSS.
Howthe Old Mans Anticipations Were More
Than Realized, and the Queer Way
He Had of Showing It-A Stofy
With the Moral Conce
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never lag behind in nv pursuit OF the
nimble and elusive dollar, but | think of
S-las Somerby, and straightway push on
refreshed. In the hope that it may encour-
age some fellow toiler, / will briefly set
down the story of his great success.
He began his business life in the employ
OF his father, in whose establishment he
still remains, universally looked up to,
and honored by all whose position in the
house is inferior to his own. Il was ar
ranged in the beginning that he was to
live at home, and that he was to receive
a salary of ten dollars week, half of
which was 20 be deducted in payment of
his board. His father designed thus not
only to give mis- only son a good start, but
to inculcate at the very outset sound prin-
ciples Of economy, and to accustom his
offspring to the now almost obsolete prac-
tice of laying aside a certain fixed per-
centage of his income to meet living ex-
penses.
The son repaid the fathers kindness
with earnest effort, and at the end of six
months he was one day summoned into b 8
progenitor's private Office, and thus adj
dressed:
''Silas, / have observed with great pleas
ure your diligent attention to business,
and have decided to raise your salary in
practical recognition of your increased
value After to-day you will draw So a
week, instead of SO, as heretofore. And,
BY the way" the father added, as Silas
turned to so, ''as your living will now be,
naturally, upon an increased scale of ex-
penditure more in keeping with your aug
mented income, shall hereafter deduct
SO week, instead of s., for your board "
Filled with gratitude too deep for ex-
preston, Suas left the paternal presence
resolved TO deserve his kindness or perish.
He redoubled his efforts, and six short
months more he again stood one day, by
particular request, before his father, who
gaid, with broad smile of satisfaction
drsped about his benevolent countenance:
MY boy, you are exceeding my fondest
enticipations. Such endeavor as yours
sh-n not 90 unrewarded. l have decided
to raise your salary for the second time.
twenty-five dollars is the figure of the
future, and may God bless you"
Here the old man paused; and in a voice
trembling with genuine emotion Silas
stammered forth his thanks. As he was
leaving the room his father added, with
out raising his head from some papers
over which he was busted:
"Oh, Silas, one thing more was about
20 add that this change in your circum-
stances Will make great difference in
your mode of life. You will eat more,
drink more, in fact, lead a broader and
fuller life in every respect. l shall, there
fore, charge you so week for board af-
ter this date. Good morning."
In the next six months Silas surpassed
hims eli, and doomed things TO a perfectly
phenomenal extent. He was not, conse-
Quently, wholly taken by surprise when
he found on his desk one morning a note
in his fathers familiar hand. Hastily
tearing open the envelope with hands
trembling with pleasurable anticipation,
he read as follows
MI DEAR SOM can not express to YOU NV
deep satisfaction IN your wonderful prog
ress, nor shall try. Words are cheap. but
cash is, in such cases. the most accomplished
conversationaiIst. Continue your efforts at
double your present salary. Enclosed please
lind check for this week. Your affectionate
FATHER.
han corner the 40 wing 5 gnature OF the
senior Somerby, and in the upper left the
symbol :, followed by the figure ). In an
ecstasy Of gratitude, Silas pressed the
letter to his lips AS be did 50 he observed
the legend Turn over" obscureIy placed
In the lower corner, and following instruc-
tons he read as follows:
P. S--Your pecuniary circumstances are
now such that you viii no longer feel the
need OF econoInzing. = variety o. mild ex-
travagsnces, hitherto made inaccessible by .
limitations OF income, are now within your
grasp. You will feel like branching out in
many directions. Men in your circumstances
smoke ffteen-cent cigars and drink wine
upon occasions. Their board sometimes
costs them 81 high as forty-five dollars a
week. Yours viii cost you precisely thai
amount.
Stimulated by these practical proofs Of .
parental love, Silas fairly bumped himself,
SO TO speak, during the next year, and,
despite the distracting influence of large
income, attended more strictly than ever
to business. One day toward the end of
the year he received summons from his
father, whom be found standing before the
fire in his private office. Judge of his sur
prise when the good old man, laying his
hand affections tely upon his sons shout
der, said:
''Silas, my boy, You have been doing no.
bly,, l have long intended TO more substan-
tally reward your efforts than by mere
words of praise, and have decided to let
that reward come in the form of a raise OF
salary. l am aware that a salary of 500
q week will place you in society TO which
your poor Old father can hardly aspire. 1t
will be your proud privilege to give sup
oers 10 the ballet aud to assist in booming
he hack and liquor interests of the great
metropolis. |, alaSi on account of dei-
,iencies OF early training and education,
Ind lack OF funds, can not tread these
lowery paths with you; but the father is
content TO live again il thu son. aud 70 en-
oy his triumphs in q back seat. l can
carcely hope" he continued, his voice
rembling sill htly, and big tear rolling
Town his cheek, ito keep you at home with /
IS any longer. Your new life WI be al
-arance with our simple ways. You VII.
10 doubt, feel like goiny TO one Of the prin-
ipal hotels, ana, Perhap IS, pay as much as
50 . week for board. We can not COM
etc with the crockery ware and silver they
vii give YOU there to eat, nor with the
1anifoid discomforts OF the place; but. nv
oy, we can give you good. " wholesome food,
lainly served, and hearty welcome, at
be same price, and, by heaven, we Whip <
And they did. And S nerby still has
lace at their freside, despite his altered
Happy in their sons sue