Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-01-29
Extract From Life of Charles
Broadway Rouss.

Rouss penniless. The accumulation
of wears of industry had been swept
away. He returned TO the old home
stead and entered upon the only
work available to him. For one
wear, in summers heat aud winters
cold, this gifted man toiled in the
field. He now refers to his hard
experience in words of pathos that
moves the heart of one who hears
them. The physical labor, severe
as il was, oppressed him the least.
While his busy brain, high ambition
and restless energy inspired him to
seek another sphere of action; while
hope whispered, night and day. OF
successes to be achieved in the busy
marts of trade, of fame and fortune
to be won in mer camille pursuits, his
j kindred, with whom he dwelt, took
no part in his enthusiasm. They did
i not seem to have discovered those
latent abilities which he was conscious
of possessing. When he announced
his determination of seeking a posi-
ton more in consonance with his
tastes and affording more scope TO
his abilities, they attempted to dis
suade him. They were apprehensive
of his venturing out into the world
!, among strangers and without dollar
, in his pocket.
Allowance must be made for the
anxiety of that household. 1t was
not given to them to pierce the future.
The father, who had paid the penalty
OF loyal service and devotion to the
Southern cause, by long imprisoD-
ment in Fort Delaware, had returned
to his home. The scattered mem
bers of his family were reunited, and
all looked forward to long, quiet
and peaceful home association. 1t
was but natural that there should be
general opposition to the disruption
of this reunited family ny the de-
parture of one of its members. This
opposition was intensified when MIR.
: Rouss announced that the North was
the chosen field of his future lahors,
for the devastation of the Valley OF
Virginia by the Union soldiers had
created bitter feeling against the
section whence they came.
Strong in his purpose and hopes,
severipg home association with all
t nearest and dearest to him, he set
5 his face Northward and resolutelY
, pursued his way TO that great empor-
/, ium of commerce which his intelli-
! eence told him yielded an abundance
: of fruit to one who had the energy,
pluck aud brains to gather it. With
scant supply of clothing, weary,
| f.;n with No
money in his purse he reached New
York. Then commenced the strug-
gle for a foothoId. Daily he made
the dreary rounds seeking employ
ment; grew weary, but never despon-
dent; suffered disappointment, but
never lost hope; was hungry but
never flinched. With the wedge of
perseverance, the mallet of courage
and the power of ambition he made
an opening in the strong wall of COM
merce. Securing part of small
shop in side street, he commenced
planning palace on Broadway.
Familiarizing himself with existing
commercial law and usage, he
evolved system that showed how
practically yalueless were both.
Assailing the long established strong
holds of credit with the catapult of
spot cash, he created revolution in
the mercantile world. He listened
to long winded dissertations upon the
importance of ORGANIZED charities
and then gave informally, freely and
DIRECTLY TO all the suffering and
needy who appealed to him. With
the tenacity born of conviction he
chung TO the system that he had
created. Temporary reverses did
not impair his faith, but stimulated
his exertions and finally success, that
should satisfy the most sanguine,
crowned his efforts.
an example and study. His life
has been one of positive conditions.
In tender youth-privatio and want.
In young manhood-hard labor,
sacrifices and tue sufferings of army
life. Later on poverty. a constant
struggle for start in life and
disappointed hopes and ambitions.
In maturer ycars-a rifting of the
clouds-the dawn of prosperity-the
i VI NLSCSA VI
possibiities-the realization of hopes
the fruition of constant, untiring and
intelligent labor and the accumula-
ton of an ample fortune. In this
country of wonderful individual
achievements there is no instance of
success more striking than that of
Mr.. Rouss. In all his struggles he
never had favorable condition that
was not of his own creation. He
owes nothing to capital for he had
none. He owes nothing to credit for
none was extended to him. He owes
nothing to the influence of friends or
family because they had none to
exercise for him. He owes ALL and
EVERYTHING TO that restless energy,
keen intelligence, indomitable pluck
and high ambition that would have
placed him at the head of any occu-
patton of life in which he might have
chosen to embark.
The example of Mr.. Rouss has all
ready borne precious fruit as the
presence of many prosperous South
ern lads in this city will attest. For
long years to come the lesson that
Lie I;fo ;po,,1cofaS will no 1rodtictiye