Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-03-01
sI.50 A YEAR, CASH.
Charles broadway" Rouss.

J kousS, the auctlon dry goous merenant,
this is the way he will greet you. says
the New York World He sits in
front of the great loft, which is the
second floor OF his immense establish
ment at No. $40 Broadway, surrounded
by an army of typewriters.
A Avisitor who edged his way through
the rows and rows of typewriters one
day last week told the merchant he
wanted a sketch of his life for pubh-
cation.
Now, what interest have the people
in me, was the doleful response. ii
am Pariah among merchants, am
not recognized in the trade. pay
cash for what sell, am an outcast
in the financial community.
Your personality is interesting
persisted the visitor The merchant
smiled his usual sad smile
Il came to New York a poor boy.
l hadn't cent slept in the parks.
Now / have three or four millions.
That is the whole story
What are your Pleasures
Il have none. | used to 60 home
at night on a Grant street horse car.
| | stood on the rear platform and threw
pennies and nickels to the newsboys
and bootblacks who used to run along
after the car. Then the police captain
askel me to stop it, and of course |
did so. The millionaire looked re-
fective for moment.
That was my only pleasure IN hte'
he continued plaintiyely. And the
police made me give that up.
Your business methods are called
peculiar" was suggested. you pay
/ 4
your employees 81 day, 1t Is said'
and lock them in the store at night 10
prevent them from going out and get
ting drunk
when one of my salesmen can stay
from John Barleycorn any longer, he
goes out and spends all his money and
comes around again, finally a wreck
physically, mentally and financially.
If he is a good man when he is IN his
right mind, I'll take him back on his
promise to keep straight. He cant
have any money, though, until he is
on his feet again. He sleeps in the
store. HIS meals are brought in to HIM.
When he is in good shape again he
gets his 81 day
Mr.. Rouss gives literally to worldly
charities. In his native town Of Win
chester, Va, he is looked upon az not
only the most generous man IN the
world, but as also the only millionaire
in New York who is worth talking
about. Once they had a big fire In
Winchester. Hall the town was burn
ed because ofinadequate extInguirhIng
facilities. Mr.. Rouss heard OF II and
at once placed an order for the best
steam lire engine that could be made.
When it was finished be sent It TO tie
town of Winchester with his eompli-
ments. When the cemetery needed o
new fence it was Charles Broadway
Rouss who ordered and paid for the
most durable iron one that could be
made. Every once in a while he de-
cIdes to go to his southern home to
spend the Fourth of July. Then the
celebration is immense.
II is Mr.. Rousss treat. From the
balloon ascension in the morning to
the fireworks at night and the ice
cream and the big OK for the feast IN
the open air, he pays for everything
From his private secretary. Miss
Blanche Volmer, obtained copy Of
a letter in reply TO the countless num-
bers of begging letters in every days
mail:
"Mr. Rouss's desk il 6uded with
Thousands Of similar appeals from
every quarter OF the comPas, which
he has neither the time 70 read nor
anser, II he did, be wud himself
nav to go out and beg. He dus not
remember Of ever having herd Of u.
He never lends and never borrows.
Another from piety pcple who inyar-
iably promise that the Lord will pay
him back ten 70 one:
"Mr. Rouss never gys to the caus
of religion or politix. He belong to
the skool Of Tom Paine, Thos. Jeifer-
son, Voltaire and Robt. Ingersoll, and
prefers to scatter his charities unsolic-
tied"
Mr. Rouss was a soldier in the
Southern army and fought in Stone
wall Jackson's brigade. When the
war was over be found his whole for
tune consisted Of a quarter Of million
OF Confederate bonds. He went TO
farming and then came TO New York.