Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-05-22
benefit of stay law or poor debtors

benefit of stay law or poor debtors
exemption, but paid every cent of
his obligations incurred during the
war. Part of this debt was in the
form of - shinplasters, which the
want of small currency, in the early
part of the-war. had induced business
men to issue freely. These he re-
deemed in currency of that date, and
in after years when some of his five
cent notes we're returned to him by
the holders, with the request that he
8 give them something," lie respond
ed in each case with q five dollar
greenback. The writer recently saw
one of them in the hands of gentle
man in Frederick, Md, which, how
ever, will never be presented for re-
demption at any price-the holder,
who is somewhat of an antiquarian.
pricing it as one of the most interest
ing items of his collection.
It was hard struggle of course
few beside himself knew how hard it
was but during it all he never failed
to aid a needy and worthy fellow man
according TO his ability. When sue
cess finally and abundantly crowned
his efforts, his benefactions in
creased. What they amount to, no
man knows, for he tries hard not to
let g his left hand know what his
right hand does" The people know
of his large donations-they know
that fifty thousand dollars would not
cover his gifts to corporations and in
stitutions in this town alone, but they
don't know what his private charities
have been. The writer knows, how
ever, that the widows of men who
died years ago in his service still re-
ceive their husbands salaries; he
knows that he has paid the expenses
of sick friends of his boYi.ood DAYS in
home and put them under the care of
his family physician; he knows that
be is in every way kind and consid-
crate employer, and that I" the dollar
day" story is humbug. He quickly
sizes q man up, as the saying is. If
he is worth no more than a dollar he
can't expect more, and if he earns
more Mr.. Rouss is the first man to
recognize it. There are men in his
service drawing salaries of thousands.
who began at the very lowest round
of the ladder. He is himself the
hardest worker in his establishment,
and on the rare occasions when he
allows himself respite (two or three
days in the Year, he visits Winches-
ter-.the scene of his earliest struggles
and success-for which and Its people
he cherishes such remarkable affec-
ton. The first object of his care is
the cemetery, where his loved ones
lie-then in the streets TO meet his
old friends; and it has been noted
that his warmest friendships appear
to be among those who need friend,
and he seldom leaves one of them
without substantial reminder of his
sympathy.
Can such man he charged with
seltishness? In the writer's opinion
there is less of that fraiIty in his COM
position than in any man he knows.
And if such deeds as mark every day
of the life of c. B. Rouss are indica-
tions of selfishness, then lie is of opin-
| ion that sellishness ought to be classed
among the highest virtues.
The writer vouches for the facts
stated in this sketch, which is writ
ten for the purpose of correcting
some false impressions of one of the
noblest men whom he has had the
fortune to know. This is my sole
and only purpose, as 1 have no axe
to grind. T. NJ. b.
May II, 1894. Winchester, Va.