Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-08-11
charles sroadway Rouss.

rade Rouss. 1t was prepared by one
familiar with his wonderful career
aud who from long and intim ate as
sociation with him can speak with the
freedom OF truth and authority. The
record of Comrade Rouss' service as
Il gallant private in the Confederate
army; his loyal devotion TO his COM
rades and to the memory of the
cause that he served so we'll; his
bountiful and continuous generosity
to the suffering and needy, and his
intelligent and earnest efforts ito
leave to posterity enduring proofs
of the courage, loyalty and devotion
to duty of the Confederate soldier"
are too well known to require repeu-
ton, and have deserycdiy won for
him the warmest place in the South
ern heart:
1.-The close of the wa- found Mr.
Rouss penniless. The accumulation
of industry had been swept away.
He returned TO the old homestead
and entered upon the only work
available to him. For one year, IN
summers heat and winters cold,
this gifted man toiled in the field.
He now refers to his hard experience
in words of pathos that move the
heart of one who hears them. The
physical labor, severe as it was, OPP
pressed him the least. While his
busy brain, high ambition and rest
less energy inspired him 10 seek
another sphere of action while hope
whispered night and day OF success
TO be achieved in the busy mart of
trade, of fame and fortune to be won
in mercantile purs uits, his kindred
with whom he dweIt took no part in
his enthusiasm. They did not seem
to have discovered those latent abili-
ties which lie was conscious of pos
sessing. When he announced his
determination of seeking position
more in cousonance with his tastes
and affording more scope to his abii-
tiles, they attempted to dissuade
him. They werdapprehensive of
his venturing out into the world
among strangers and without dollar
in his pocket.
s'Allowances 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 penal
ty of loyal service and devotion to
the Southern cause, by n long i'm
prisonment in Fort Deleware, had
returned to his home. The scattered
members 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 disrup-
tion of this reunited family by the
departure of one of its members
This opposition was intensified when
Mr.. Rouss announced that the North
was the chosen field of his future la
bors, for the devastation of the Valley
of Virginia by the Union soldiers
had created a bitter feeling against
the section whence they came.
'Strong in his purpose and hopes,
,severing home association with all
nearest and dearest to him, he set
his face Northward 'and resolutely
pursued his way TO that great en-
porium of commerce which his in
telligence told him yielded an nbun
dance of fruit to one who had the
energy, pluck and brains to gather
it. With scant supply of clothing,
weary, footworn, friendless and
with no money in his purse he had
reached the great city of New York.
Then commenced the struggle for q
foothold. Daily he made the dreary
rounds seeking employment; grew
weary, but never despondent; saf-
fered disappointment, but never
lost hope; was hungry, but never
fiinched. With the wedge of per-
severance, the mallet of courage Gnd
and the power of ambition he made
an opening in the strong wall of
commerce. Securing part of small
shop in side street, he commenced
planning a palace on Broadway. Fa-
miliarizing himself with existing
commercial law aud usage. he eyoi-
we'd n system that showed how prac-
tically valuless were both. Assail-
ing the long established strongholds
of credit with the catapuit of spot
cash he listened TO long -winded dis
sertations upon the Importance of
organized charities and then gave
informally. freely and directly to
all the suffering and needy who APP
peaied to him. With teh~city born
of conviction he cIung to the system
that he had created. Temporary
reverses did not impair bis faith but
stimulated his exertions and finally
success, that should satisfy the most
sanguine, crowned his efforts.
This extraordinary man is at
once an example and a study. His
life has been one of positive condi-
tions. In tender youth, priyations
and want. In young manhood, hard
labor, sacrifices and the sufferings
of army life. Later on. poverty, a
constant struggle for q start in life
aud disappointed hopes and ambi-
tions. In mature years q lifting Of
the clouds-the dawn of prosperity
the opening of a vista of boundiess
possibiIities-the realization of hopes
the fruition of constant. untiring and
intelligent labor and the accuDuia-
ton of an ample fortune. In this
country of wonderful individual
achievements there is no instance OF
success more striking than Of Mr..
II I,;e -frunn1aa tta npTPr