Evening journal., 1901-10-28
HOW SUCCESS WAS ACHIEVED
BY ONE NEW CASTLE BOY

brighter days for the family A bundle |
of Philadelphia Ledgers. then under the |
management OF the original founder off
that paper-.Swaine, Able and Simmons
and a few Of the Times and few
chronicles Of that period were sent
down from Philadelphia to William Err |
bert In care Of e. Jefferson and brother
two grand men-and leaders In all |
kinds Of mercantile trade at that time
and quite prominent as politicians of
the Democratic brand One OF them be-
ing sheriff OF the county at the time
Theflrst named OF these called viii into
the office OF the big store. and told him
of a scheme he had thought OF for his
benefit, which, he thought. If well fol-
lowed up and closely and industriously
pursued would be very successful.
The youth said he would consult with
his mother about the proposition. and
exhibited so much calmness and cool
ness in the matter Mr.. Jefferson at
once decided to help him all he could
Will consulted with his mother and re-
turned with his face wreathed in smilea
over the conclusion Of the two. He
thanked Mr.. Jefferson for his proffer
of help. and commenced 10 get sub
scribers for the daily papers from the
city. At the end OF the week he had
list Of 317 Ledgers. and there had never
been over a dozen taken before. Every
body was Inclined TO take one or the
other of the papers 10 encourage the
boy. and Il was not long before he had
q list of 500 Ledgers, besides goodly
number of the other papers. AS re-
suit no boy ever worked harder or at
tended so close TO his business as Will
and no mother or sister were ever bet
ter provided for than he did for those
dear to him AS time grew apaee, he
enlarged his business, until he was sup
piled with plenty to meet his demands
never permitting himself TO get In debt
beyond the means TO pay, and in doing
so had established a credit second to
but few and at the same time making
the name OF William Erbert the syn
onym Of promptness and good COM
mercial standing Gle embarked large
ly In the shad fishing trade In the
spring. and had a number Of boats and
seines for that purpose, on shares with
others In the summer he dealt largely
in peaches. other fruits and vegetables
for the Philadelphia and New York
market. In the fall he commanded q
large trade in oysters, and when the
cold days and nights OF winter came
he took up studies ofdiiferent kinds be-
cause deprived in his younger years OF
the benefit Of a school. He became
identified with the Democratic party
and was. until overtaken by death, one
of the most efficient leaders Of the par
~ in his State. was nominated and
elected sheriff of the county and was
rhe warm friend and strong partisan OF
that noble man and statesman, Thomas
T.. Bayard. and other distinguished men
of his state. whose confidence in his
integrity gave him prominence ana ne
was the unanimous choice Of his party
for the office Of State Treasurer. He
was ever after a power IN his party,
and his advice Of great weight In Its
management. His Judgment and sagac-
ity could always be relied upon, and ne
stood the peer of any man In the state
He built a handsome home, In which
a lovely wife and family were the cen
tire Of his domestic Joys. His children
were among the brightest, his son be-
ing of great advantage and benefit toI
the Government IN the settlement OF
vexed questions in dispute information
ally and an honor to his birthplace his
State. his nation, and best OF all 10
his home. and friends and family. Will
Erbert became the owner by purchase
of all the vast property of his bene-
factor and friend. Mr.. Gefferson-also
Of much valuable property in other
parts of the Old Castle the State and
i'm either States and when called from
earth he was regarded bv his old
friends and neighbors among the very
wealthy.
His sister he saw happily married.
and from a short time after the calam-
itv which befell his childhood his
mother had been provided for as ten
dcrly as any mother could wish to be,
He was the model son. held UP to the
gaze Of other sons by the good mothers
Of The town that knew him, and he had
, THE respect OF every man. woman and
child who knew his eventful history.
He was pointed out as an illustration
Of the possibilities Of the American
youth who has industry, honesty and
moral worth as the great aim in life.
And it is with the hope that his life
and what he accomplished may prove
the same kind Of a model to the boys
who read this and are determined to
make men of themselves before they
leave this for another world.
T. w. S. KIDD.