The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-11-26
I cry few great fortunes have been
acquired by one man, or within
the limits OF single lifetime.

" acquired by one man, or WITHIN
the limits of single lifetime.
The vast wealth of the Wander
bilts the AstoIs and many others has
accumulated through several generations.
1t is seldom, indeed, that fortune like
that of Russell Sage is amassed by one
man. For years, the newspapers of the
country have been filled with stories of
his eccentricities.
When ! called at the great bankers
office, found it very hard to obtain an
audience with Mr.. Sage, even though had
an Introduction to him. lie has so often
been the victim of cranks, and has so many
callers at his office, that he has been
obliged to deny himself to all alike. But
when sent in word that | am merely
boy journalist, he decided to see me. !
found him seated at an old tllt-topped
desk, looking over the stock reports of the
day, and was surprised at the extreme
simplicity of all his surroundings. The
furnishings of the room looked as if they
might have seen service before the Civil
War, and, upon later inquiry, | learned
that most of the chairs and the desk itself
have been in use by Mr. Sage for more
than twenty tive years. He has become so
attached to them that he cannot think OF
discarding them for more modern inven
tions. Mr. Sage is smooth. faced, and his
hair is thin and gray. His clothes are
fashioned in the style OF thirty years ago.
but of good material, and well kept. His
shoulders are bent with care and age, but
his face has good color, and a happy
smile that betokens health and a peaceful
mind
81 have come to ask you to tell me the
story of your life, - said, ''for l am sure
it must be of great interest
Mr.. Sage smiled 81 don't know about
its being of interest 1t is very simple and
commonplace to me. | began as grocery
clerk, in a country town. That is very
humble beginning, I'm sure"
'Yes, but it's the beginning that
counts" | said mot the end
"You are right" replied the inancier
"Well when | was even younger than you
are, | received dollar week for working
from early morning until late at night,
but | was we'll satisfied with my lot,
because | knew that it was bound to lead
to better things SO | worked my very
best, and saved my wages, which were
slowly increased as l went along, and
finally had enough money to start little
store for myself. When | was twenty one
wears old had store of my own, aud |
made success of it, too He smiled as
he remembered those early days.
'But how did you happen to come to
New York 2" | asked
ooh, l was ambitious laughed Mr..
Sage Like most boys, | thought there
was no other place like a city for success,
and finally sold my country store when |
was still very young, and came to New
York. started in as office boy, at very |
low wages, and, from that day on, | |
worked myself up and up, until l finally |
became linancier on my own account. 1t
took long time, though. 1t wasn't all |
accomplished in day; though, when |
came to New York, expected 10 be rich |
in two or three years. was very much |
like other boys, you see. They all expect |
to get rich in day"
"But some of them never get Iich," |
said.
"Well, it's their own fault if they don't
succeed" said the fnancier. Surely, |
everyone has as good chance as | had. |
don't think there could be poorer oppor-
tunity for boy to rise.
The trouble is that most OF them are not
very anxious to rise. IL they find them
selves wealthy some morning, they are glad,
Of course; but they are not willing to work
and make themselves rich"
'Some say that it is all luck" | ven
tured to suggest.
ooh, pshaw!' said Mr.. Sage, with great
disgust. "Theres no such thing as luck.
Pm sure there was none of it about my
career. know just how | earned every
penny, and the reason for it, and | never
got anything didn' work for. never
knew anyone to obtain lasting wealth
without lots of hard work
"Do you think there are as good oppor-
tunities for getting rich to-day as there
were thirty years ago, or when you made
your start, Mr.. Sage?"
Undoubtedly. think there are even
greater opportunities for new industries
are being established all the time, and there
are broader fields to work in. But then,
the old fields of business are not over
worked, by any means. I always say there
is room Tor good men anywhere and at any
time don't think there can ever be too