Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-09-19
CHARLESTowN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST

and | know there are some papers, lik
the Commercial Advertiser, which woulC
publish my side and not distort in flip
pant way anything l may say"
The merchant paused second, anC
said he would begin on the personal enc
of his statement.
at has been stated" he added, "anC
repeated constantly that l consider anC
speak of myself as pariah, that is, al
outcast, one who is deprived of the asso
citation of his kind. Doubtless in tht
jocular manner of speech in which | al
ways indulge when being interviewed
about myself or my affairs, the word pa
riah may have been used, but it never
occurred to me for a moment that would
be understood as seriously applying such
an epithet to myself. l have been toe
singularly blessed in the number and
character of my friends and associates to
have made declaration so lacking in re-
gard and consideration for them"
How about the story published that
you employ in your store only hard drink
ers ?"
81 know it has been charged that l have
only hard drinkers in my employ, but the
thousands who visit my store on Broad
way can refute this allegation. l doubt
whether within the limits of this great
commercial metropolis there can be found
a more intelligent, obliging and temperate
corps of employees than mine. 1t has
been an inhexible rule with me to dis
charge any one who impaired his useful
ness by excessive drinking and in no in
stance have reinstatements been made
without good grounds for believing that
reform had been effected. All the
changes have also been rung upon my al
legged theory than no mans services are
worth more than a dollar day. While
| may differ from others in my valuation
of certain kinds Of labor, | have a proper
appreciation of ability and am always
ready and willing to pay literally for it.
Ny pay rolls attest this"
at has often been stated, Mr.. Rouss,
that you encourage idleness and dissipa-
tian by giving money to tramps. Are
there any grains of truth in the state
ment?"
"No, it is not true. know that these
charges have been urged against me. |
admit that | do give to some poor unfor-
tunates, who are unemployed and in dis
tress, but do not give TO an extent that
justiies the charge of supporting them in
idleness. | respond to appeals in the
manner that seems to me best, and | may
claim TO have won more back to industry
and sobriety by substantial assistance in
the time of need than l could have done
by lecturing them or distributing tracts
1t is also persistently charged against me
that seek notoriety to advertise my bus
iness and that | never contribute to any
object, however worthy, except in antici-
patton of a multiplied r,turn of dollars
and cents. | advertise my business only
through legitimate and customary chan
nels, and can assert truthfully that never
in my life have | made a gift, donation
or subscription with the ulterior purpose
of lining my purse.
an point of fact have given general
ly in consultation with, or at the sugges-
ton of friends, and mostly in the direc-
tions least liable to attract public atten-
ton. While | claim no merit for at
tempting to do good when l can, | feel
the injustice of having my motives so fre-
quently mlsJudged. As general propo-
stion it does not promote the exercise of
liberality by questioning the spirit that
inspires it, but l shall not be influenced
by adverse criticism from giving my mite
in the manner and for the objects that
appear to me best"
Mr.. Rouss gave the interview in an
earnest and emphatic manner and con-
cluded by quoting line from Hamlet
"There is nothing good or bad, but think
ing makes it So"