Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-11-04


down into the sweet face of the Shenan-
doah-the laughing daughter of the stars
and said
81 give up its no use here let me
find rest and peace at home"
But TO return to our text, "Its the
git up and git that makes the man."
As somebody said, "A man should be
like feather bed, as soon US he is knock
ed down in one place, jumped up right
away quick in another"
Charles Broadway Rouss is a financial
feather bed.
What did he do?
Flat on his back he looked up. He
got up, he went at it again. Thirteen
years afterwards we find him superintend-
ing the erection of a million dollar store
on Broadway. was proud to shake him
by the hand the other day. He is one
of us; a Valley boy from old Virginia;
God bless her. When he reads this he
will say, amen And if he happens to
hear just then of some good cause "down
home,' away will 90 check to aid il in
the next mail.
But that is another story. | am not
talking of his heart now, but of his head.
Standing right as the crowd moves by
and take a look at this big building with
Charles Broadway Rouss in great letters
running down the side.
Your neck aches as you try to see the
top.
1t is Is stories high
Spread the floors out on a level and
they would cover five acre field.
In this great building are packed more
goods than ever saw before in my life.
take off my hat, as enter the build
ing, to the magnificent picture of Gen. r.
Z. Lee on horseback.
AndI paused and looked with wonder at
Chinese puzzle on the brass plate on
the side of the front entrance.
As | stand on my head trying to read
it, one of the many hundred clerks up
ends me, and says
"Don't you know what that is %
"Not yet"
THAT is the signature of Mr.. Rouss."
"Oh. yes"
But it outspins Spinner in its intricate
! curves, its twists; it's good for ive million
dollars.
Just catch your breath and we will
proceed.
| take the elevator and go up and up,
and up.
As we pass up, the elevator man calls
out the names of the various departments
and we look with wonder at the navel
Gus array.
A buyer is employed in each depart
ment.
What does he keep?
Oceans of notions
That's about the size of it.
Way up here in the sky scraping de-
partment is an artist, painting oil paint
ing by the mile for the great store.
In order to fill up his leisure ca time,
Mr.. ROuss publishes newspaper, THE
Monthly AuctiOn Trade Journal.
He is speller from Spellersville-
takes his own way, right across lots.
You sec he doesn't waste any ink on
unnecessary letters.
He never wastes anything.
So much for his head, his brain, bis
mind
A General in the field Of business, a
Gladiator in the great arena of New
York's fighting world.
Now for the man himself.
He looks boyish ; his face smooth
shaver, save bristling moustachc above
The firm set mouth.
He talks in quick, bright, sharp words
aimed at the bulls eye sentences.
He lives in his store.
His motto is Cash"
Now for the biggest part Of the man.
His great, big, loving heart.
His open hand.
The latch string Of his pocket-booE
hangs way out.
1t would take an extra edition Of the
BGltiDorean to publish list of his bene-
factions known 10 me.
Winchester, Va, is always receiving
from his hand.
Does the cemetery need new fence?
Mr.. Rouss foots the bill.
Does the fire company need new en-
CINE?
Along comes Rouss check.
And every year when the Agricultural
Fair comes around at Winchester, a $500
Rouss check bobs up serenely.
"Only this year it was thousand.
And he gets up and spends the day
with his home people, and it is his treat,
IL Il Il.