The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-09
TOM JOHNsON's CLIMB.
the Ladder of Success when He
Was Mere Lad.

the Ladder of Success when He
Was Mere Lad.
From Success.
The five weeks Immediately following
Lees surrender was a golden time TO Tom
Johnson financially. In that period he
earned SIS. enough to carry the family
(Which consisted of his parents and two
younger brothers, back to kentucky. This
was the way he did it; There was. Of
course, great thirst for news in Stanton,
as all over the country, but only once a
day was Staunton in railway communica-
ton with the outside world.
The boy saw his chance for a monopoly
in newspapers and periodicals, and he
straightway cornered the market. This he
was enabled TO do through the friendship
of the conductor of Staunton's unique
train. who refused to furnish papers TO
any one else. For five weeks he held his
monopoly. selling dalies at Is cents and
illustrated periodicals at % cents each.
When Johnson ceased TO enjoy these ex
elusive privileges he was already a small
capitalist, besides having learned a lesson
that was not without profit in after life.
He had SIS in silver.
Il tell you, that seemed like a lot Of sure
'nough money" he said, with a smile, ito
us who had been paying 500 in Confeder-
ate notes for a hat"
Three years after he went to work in
Louisville as clerk in an iron rolling mill,
on a very small salary In the same office
with him was another lad, Arthur NJ 2x-
ham, who later became his business part
ner. For economical reasons the man
ayers of the mill decided that the services
of one of the boys could be dispense
with and it then came 10 a choice be-
fbIa fai in
ed, and Johnson was turned out TO com
mence over again AT the time this looked
like a misfortune, but ii was really the
best thing that could have happened.
Before long an opening with LouisVilles
ramshackle, broken down old mule street
railway presented itself. and the discharg
ed mill clerk started on the career which
was to lead to fortune.
THE decision which retained Moxham in
the mill and turned me adrift," he said,
was both a wise and a fortunate one.
Moxham was better suited to the position
than 1 was, ana moreover, l was thus
thrown into the work for which | was
adapted"
Quickly the hoy, who was then nearing
manhood passed from one Place to anoth-
err in the company's service, until after
few years, he became superintendent. Then
he set about building up The railway and
putting ii on a paying basis. BY a wise
system of improving the accommodations
and reducing the expenses he was sue
cessful in this effort, and he forthwith
began to look around for fresh fields for
his ambition. But in the meantime, like
most men who are conscious of their
strength and ability to cope with the world
and like many who are not, he had en-
tered upon matrimony. His bride was his
cousin Miss Margaret j. Johnson, of
Louisville, Ky.
AT the time OF mis- marriage Tom John
son was but 20, and was just beginning TO
get a secure footing in business. But nc
was not content with his limited scope of
action. Moreover, his employers wanted
TO help him forward, recognizing his a5il-
ity OF his own initiative Biderman Du-
pont. one of the owners of the railway, Of
fered 10 h's proteee loan Of $4,000 with
which TO try his fortune. The possibility
of security was, of course, out of the ques-
ton.
Take it. Tom" he said, land il you
live l know you'll pay it back; If you die
why I'll be out just so much. But I'm
gambling on your living"
"And later" remarked Mr.. Johnson, Il
had the pleasure of associating two of Mr..
Dupont's sons with me in business mat
ters, and thus enjoyed the satisfaction of
partially repaying his kindness"