St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-08-23
The Man Who
Found Himself:
By r. Henry Manner.
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OSIAH JAMESON was a self-made
y man, and it was the boast of his
old age. Twenty years had elapsed
since he had entered the limits of
the little hamlet where lay buried
the golden egg of his future success
es, and which as time passed some
railroad official had designated as
Black Rock.
In making himself Josiah Jameson
had fathered the upbringing of the
town, and with the instinct of far
seeing Spectator had possessed him
self of the lions share of it. He had
also founded the business which had
set him above the ordinary cares of
living and comfort.
His stores were very cosmopolitan
In their lines Of merchandise, COM
Prising mill supplies, mining outfits,
groceries, and articles of wear for
the inhabitants. He also dabbled
somewhat in lumber and the solitary
saw-min on the neighboring river
bank was embodied in his deeds of
ownership.
AS his age crept upon him he real
lied that his interests needed the
hand of one more skilled in the mat
ter of books and figures. So It was
that one bright morning found a
stranger porting over the dusty ledg-
ers, and Josiah standing idly by,
putting his pipe with the self-con-
seriousness of man who has known
prosperity.
Besides this goodly share of world
~ possessions, Josiah had an only
child, daughter, and his intentions
regarding her were in accordance
with what he considered his heir
should require. To this end her home
training was all that doting parent
could devise. When she had turned
II he sent her east, where,
under the strict eye of a maiden
aunt, she was to be schooled in the
accomplishments necessary to lady
Of culture.
The new bookkeeper had spent
ha]f-year of work within the pre-
cincts of the little back Office, and
certainly he had brought remark
able order and system out of the
chaos into which the affairs of the
firm had drifted. This gave Josiah
much satisfaction, and he had re-
marked to a friend in a burst of
confidence, that 1.-THE fellow is rare
one at figures and very obliging to
boot for an ordinary colleger."
A letter arrived at this time from
his daughter, bringing the announce
ment that she had completed her
term of education, apd also trip
across to the seats of fashion in the
old world, and that she was return
ing home for well-earned holiday
and rest. AS usual, the proud father
made his morning call at his Office,
and with forced calmness proceeded
to inspect the work of his secretary,
adding a few words of condemnation
or praise as the case demanded. Then |
he shifted to the main object of his |
visit.
II want you to take the cart and
20 to the station to meet my daugh-
ter Jean, whom I am expecting on the
ten o'clock train. I think the drive
would do you good, and I will keep
the desk until you return"
So it came about that Tom Bur-
rows met Jean Jameson.
Months later Tom Burrows re-
,iewed his past with no small amount
IF displeasure as he sat in his room
smoking his pipe of reflection. In
some inexplicable manner the whole
course of his life had gone wrong.
he had already passed the age of IS,
when, according to his opinion, every
nan should have the channel, into
which his talents might be directed,
veil grooved to the accomplishment.
His early days had been spent in
and ease; these in
.luded three years at college where
,e had intended to graduate full
lodged NJ. D. However, circumstances
,ften ruin plans for the future. When
re suddenly discovered that it was
his fathers waning income
md also seriously hindering the {
hances of his younger brothers and
listers, of which he had goodly (
lumber, he determined to utilize his :
,bilities in more practical and less {
expensive sphere. His decision had {
ONE as severe blow to his mother,
vho held him, her oldest boy, as
herished ideal, who should be trifle {
etter than the ordinary, no mat 6
er what the sacrifice. But SO it was I
hat he accepted the position under {
be worthy magnate of Black Rock. S
Then to think that this sprig of '
girl had well-nigh upset his whole '
areer. Full well his memory pic
nred that morning four months be- S
ore when he had driven the home1y e
lmily cart to the depot to meet this