Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-29

town and do something for myself. So my
father got me a place in the nearest own
Summerside-a village of about 1000 in
hahitants. The terms were that l was to
board with my employer, as was the custom
then, and in addition receive for my services
$50 at the end of the year. Not a lordly
sum. was it, for twelve or fourteen hours
work per day? But it was the first rung Of
the ladder for me. From that day until
this l have always been dependent on my
own efforts.
81 worked in this store for a year, and
then l got a place in a larger store in the
same town with exactly twice the salary,
$50 a year! That was advancement indeed.
l remained there for two years, until l was
nearly is. Then l gave up the position OF
my own accord because l had determined
to get a better education.
"As / look back upon it now 1t seems to
me that the chief influence which led to my
decision was the local minister. My parents
were members Of the Baptist church. He
took an interest in me and did for me what
the Scotch dominic of a generation ago was
accustomed to do for his poor and ambi-
tious boys-gave me good advice and urged
me to obtain a college education. The good
man had in mind to make a minister of
me, and ], so far as 1 thought OF the mat
ter, supposed that that would be the natural
career for me IL l went to college.
Il can remember well when l told my
employer OF my decision. had pom
dered it long, but / hated to tell
him. / liked him and liked
the business. l put the job off for a
long time, but at last. one night when we
were walking home to supper together, I
blurted out what was on my mind. He was
greatly surprised. He told me that he liked
me. was satisfied with my work and would
like to keep me with him. Then and there
he offered to double my pay for the next
year If l would stay with him. / thanked
him, but said that my mind was made up
and | wanted to get an education.
Turning Point in His Career.
THAT was the turning point for me. On
the one side was my desire for an education.
l did not know how l was to obtain it ex-
cept that it must be by my own efforts.
On the other side was the certainty of $3.50
yearly In addition to my board, and the
prospect OF still further advancement as
soon as l was ready for It. Those who have
followed this story carefully enough to
realize what $120 meant to me then will
understand that it was no light matter to
give 1t UP and accept the uncertain prospect
OF winning an education.
my three years as a clerk gave me a
training that was to prove invaluable in
later years. when / became president of
Cornell university. learned business meth
DDS, and ! learned to deal with men. In
all sincerity l can say that l consider this
early work in a country store no less valu-
able than my scholastic experience in fit
ting me for my present position.
When l left my clerkship | had some-
thing over $50 saved from my wages, and
a plan for my immediate educational future.
I went to the school in Princetown, where
the languages and higher mathematics were
taught as well as the rudiments, and be-
gan my preparations for college. took
up Greek. Latin, algebra and geometery all
In the same week, II not on the same day.
| learned them all from one teacher.
II had but one year in which to get
my preparation for college, My money
would not last longer than that time, and
I'm order 10 go on l must win one of the
two scholarships in Prince OF Wales college
offered in each county Of the island. don't
believe ! ever worked so hard before, or
since, as | did In those months. The result
was that | begin to have a bad pain in the
back OF my head. l told a physician whom
l knew about It. and he said:
4 Rule for Good Health.
"1f you want to keep on with your
studies this is what you must do: At the