The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1901-01-17

sin. She has not sought salvation
that is freely offered without money
and without price. I could not, thore-
fore, conscientiously give her the
money. To satisfy my conscience l
must, therefore, return il"
Mr.. Armour's indignation was
aroused. He dismissed Chadband
CURLY, Then he sent a special mes
senger to relieve the unfortunate wo-
man and make her unhappy lot as easy
as circumstances would permit.
"Above ALL" he said, in recalling
this case, ga minister of the gospel of
Christ should have been the first to
show mercy on this fallen one, and if
she was in ain and the slough of de-
spond he should have been the first to
reach forth hand to lift her out and
start her on the rightroGd."
-
A story which the men around his
big plant in the stock yards often told
about him gives an insight to his per-
sonal character. One Sunday after
noon Mr.. Armour was walking along
the street, when he met an old Irish
man named Michael O'Shaughnessy,
who had worked for him at different
times for twenty years, O'Shaugh-
messy was accompanied by his five chill
dren, ranging in age from to IS years.
One, boy of 8, had no overcoat on,
although it was a sharp, cold day,
"Why don't you buy that boy coat,
Mike?" asked the packer.
"Well," answered the father, ~ in
tend to as soon as possible, but money
has been scarce with me lately"
Mr.. Armour said nothing for a mo-
ment, and then added: "Do you ever
go out on q strike with the other men
when there is some dissatisfaction at
the plant"
"No, sir; you are good enough for
me to work for, said Mike.
The next day O'Shaughnessy was
called into the packers private office
and was handed a check for 800 and
was also given a raise in salary of 81 q
day for life.
49,
No appeal that was not a fraud on its
face was ever ignored by him without
investigation. He once said he did
not like the idea of refusing any mod.
est appeal without some investigation,
as it might be from some person un-
fortunate but not worthy.
"Strang ups and downs happen In
this world" he added. at is among
the possibilities that my own son
might see the time when he would APP
peal for help to some man that had
once been turned down by me. Stranger
things have happened. For this reason
1 believe in relieving human misery
so far as it is in my power. For this
reason it is well not to turn a deaf ear
to any deserving case of charity"
~
The story goes that Mr.. Armour
was once railroad brakeman. 1t was
told by George A. Sheldon, who was
for years the depot master of the Lake.
side station at Adrian, Mich, Mr..
IShelduh, who was for long time o
conductor, said
"One day there stepped aboard my
! train we'll dressed, business-appear-
ing man, who, as he rendered his fare,
remarked
SO 1 see you are still on the road, Mr.
Sheldon.
Yes, I am still at it, replied,
but am not certain that remember
you, though l think l have seen you
before
| "'Yes you haye seen me before,
emphasized the passenger, and, while
you doubtless have forgotten it, / still
remember that you once did me the
greatest favor of my life. Come to my
seat when you get time, and / will tell
Iyou about it.
"When had finished collecting
fares I dropped into the strangers
seat, and he continued years ago
Twas four days brakeman aboard your
I train. At the end of four days you
!, ! took me aside and told me, in tone OF
sympathy, that you were sorry to tell
I me so, but that 1 was too much OF q
fool to ever make a good railroader.
You told me to take your advice and
) quit, and I did so. went into another
business, and the result is that 1 have
made fair fortune. / thank you, Mr..
Sheldon, for your wise counsel.
"'What is your name?' I asked.
"'Phil d. Armour, of Chicago re-
) piled my ex-brakeman, 'and shall
always remember your kindness. ]
was o stupid railroader, and you adj
5 vised me for my good.
III "Until this interview" added Mr..
! Sheldon, II never suspected that
Philip D. Armour, the packer, was the
Q brakeman / discharged years before.