Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-01

nad ! was ready to have it 1 believe
in society. That's the sort of tonic
that nature provided and intended.
Its a healthful tendency and q good
sign when a man likes the society of
his fellows. Society is nourishment,
not only mental, but physical Its the
mingling with men that gives food to
vital ="
land how about the women" 1
promptly inquired. We'll, WELL" said
Mr.. Brakeman, laughing, Its very ev-
ident you're not a resident of Derby.
I've always had decided notions about
the women folk, and I've endeayored
to live up 10 these ideas as closely as
TO all the others" Then you believe in
love and marriage and all that"
Well" replied Mr.. Brakeman, expand
ing n very healthy looking chest, con-
sidering his age, Il think l do. My
best judgment is that men should mar
ry early and keep married. When l
was %, l carried out my ideas, with
the aid of the queen of her sex When
l was 50. after IS years of harmonious
ly happy life, Julie died"
Mr. Blakeman's voice faltered, and
as he pulled from his pocket square
of white linen l took my turn to look
toward Derby. THAT was in April"
he continued. land next April, near
the time of the anniversary, l was nigh
overpowered with the loneliness of it,
so l got married again" You were
how old them Most 81. Mary John
son was 80. OF course counting at 50
isn't the same as at 20. Mary used to
work i'll a tack factory, of which con-
I no a
good. sensible and kindly a little wo-
man as I'd ever known-pretty too.
Tes, Mary was right pretty, and she is
still. She hadn't much to make her
life bright, and felt the loneliness of
we've been very happy now for 20
years. Shes bright and lively and
likes company as much as l do.
MY boyhoOd? Well, / was n very
happy country lad. with n sweet little
mother who earned us living sewing
carpet rags. My father died when 1
was 3. l remember that when 1 was
10 had something saved, though only
n few pennies, which l had earned in
berrying time. But they kept on grow
ing. i remember | wouldn't touch
them, though / went barefooted and
wore homemade pants. And you can
jot that down right there as the secret
of financial success. You've got to
have your starter, no matter how small.
You can't build n fortune without 4
foundation, if it's only n > cent piece.
If you get only 81 n week, lay away n
dime and do without something. It's
the only sure road that leads to riches.
When l was II, l invested my capital
to learn the shoemaking trade. When
was Il, ! was called the best shoe
maker in the county. l spent four
years as journeyman, always adding
a little to my nest egg.
AT 81 / had enough TO start in bust
ness for myself, having shoes manu-
featured up here and selling the prod
uct in New York. For IL years 1 con-
tinued that and then took advantage
of opportunities in dry goods and gro
ceries. When the Shelton Tack com
pany was formed. was %. There was
doubt and hesitation about asking me
to become an officer. because of my
supposed few remaining years of use
fulncsS. | outlasted all the rest. I
served as secretary and treasurer for
40 years, reSigning my position at %.
Up to that time l worked steadily, go
ing to my office every day at G:30 n. III.
l tell you. work is one of the best rec
ipeS for remaining young and vigorous.
More men rust out than wear out.
81 never went in for any specializing.
learned early that you can't get some
thing for nothing. l plodded for all
cot