Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-10-31

brings him more pleasure than the money oi
most millionaires, because he is an unostenta-
ii Gus man. his tastes are simple, aud when he
does seek relaxation from business cares, he
enjoys himself to the fullest extent.
Bur to begin at the beginning, as they say
in the novel, must tell you where Mr.. Rouss
came from, and what he had accomplished
before he began his cycntful career in New
York. He is Marylander by birth aud Is
now about IS years old In person be is
man Of medium height, with intelligence
written all over his face. His hair is gray,
and below a closely cropped gray mustache
there is a mouth that shows much frmness.
There is quickness in every movement of the
man-indeed, this is so noticeable that it is
easily discernible by the way in which he ex-
presses himself in short forcible sentences
that shows him to be a man Of surprising
nervous energy, considering his years.
HIS EARLY DAYS.
When he was a child his father took him
from Maryland to Virginia, near the city of
Winchester. His first experience in bust
nNce va. NNS NANu III uNN0llilAllNu lAlhA pa
rent, whose memory he now reyeres, to the
market place in the old city which was first
made famous by sheridau's ride and since by
the fine public works of different descriptions
which have been bestowed on the corporation
through the generosity of her cxiled son.
Having graduated from the market he went
into the store of a gentleman named Sen
seney TO "serve his time" as they said
in those days Young Rouss at first let all the
all the molasscs run out of a barrel while he
watched girl with whom he was in love,
and cut up other capers Of that sort. but his
employer succeeded in drilling business ideas
into his head, which have stood by him unto
this day. Finally the time came when he
concluded that he vas too big a man to work
for Senseney any longer Then he gave his
employer notice" and an offer TO take
partnership Immediately followed. But he
wanted all the honor and glory Of carving out
a mercantile career, so with the little money
he had saved be opened a place near his old
employers store. As lie puts it, he flung his
flag to the breeze, for even in those days he
htllNfNQ III rAIdlA lloAAAo. ~ Abie ~ AAAl WIZ
accompanied by quick sales
The country people and the natives of the
little city liked the snap and vim Of the young
merchant, and patronized his store. He made
money, and when the first rumblings Of the
great civil conflict were heard he was con-
sidered wealthy man, as money was counted
in those days You will read further on his
own statement that at first he was not a Seces-
sionist but when II came TO a question Of
fighting kith and kil or doing battle with
strangers. he had no choice. So when the
storm broke, and grape and canister aud the
torch of the Federal troops were spreading
desolation and despair throughout the beauti-
full Valley Of Virginia be was one Of the first
to go to the front to fight for his home. He
was a member Of that famous brigade, to the
proves of which all the world has since paid
homage that bore the name Of Stoncwall
Jackson.
GENEROUS DEEDS N WAR TINES.
Let Inc digress here for a moment to show
the generous heart of Mr.. Rouss in war time.
If a merchant had the goods in those days
there were unlimited opportunities for dis
posing of them at high prices. During those
dark times Mr. Rouss showed in many ways
that he was true philanthropist. Here is a
single incident 20 demonstrate the unselfshness
of the man. The following was printed in
the Winchester Republican thirty years ago:
Instances Of libcrality toward the State
and Confederate Government have been nu-
merous, and have been rightfully recorded by
the press. But instances Of liberality toward
the poor and needy, on the part Of business
men, are Of far more unfr, quent occurrence
and constitute the exception rather than the
rule a friend in need is a friend indeed
aud he who conducts his business operations
in these times Of war, so as to afford life and
sustcnance to the poorer classes rather than
to accumulate wealth gives evidence Of gen
uine disiuterested patriotism. and builds for
himself a monument more attractive than the
polished work Of the sculptor's hand.
The desire to amass riches. even at the ex-
pense of grinding down the poor, has been so
frequent and fully demonstrated on the part
Of business men in general that one conduct
ing operations under different plan is ac-
counted the wonder of The community. We
have been led into these remarks by circum-
stance which lately came under our obserya-
ton. The exorbitant prices demanded for the
necessary article of salt having attracted the
attention Of our enterprising go-ahead towns
man. c. B. Rouss that gentleman dispatched
an agent to the salt works in Southwestern
Virginia with instructions to buy l 600 sacks
to be furnished to his customers and the poor
of the town at as low price as possible. Ow-
ing to the destruction Of the bridges on some
Of the roads and the occupation of others in
transporting government freight, only por-
tion of the salt had reached suasburg On
its arrival there the following telcgraphic cor
respondence took place:
''strasburg, Nov. IS.
&C. B. Rouss There are one hundred
sacks Of salt here Of yours. am offered
$1,000 for It. Answer. JOHN FLEMING.
Winchester Nov. 2s.
John Fleming: Ten thousand dollars
would not buy it, {. B. ROUsS.
''On the arrival of the salt at Winchester
and before il was unloaded from the wagon
Mr.. Rouss was offered s14 sack for it, but
he refused the tempting bait, on the ground
that he had purchased it for the purpose Of
accommodation. not speculation. The entire
stock Of salt was disposed Of at % q sack, no
purchaser being allowed more than one sack.
Mr.. Rouss has the proud consolation Of Know
ing that in refusing large peeuniary gain he
has added to the comfort and health Of large
class in this community