The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-19
The Stairway that Led 10 Success.


There are few things in life more ap-
palling than the facility withlwhich
young men and young women of splen-
did capabilities resign themselves to
inferior positions, when little self
sacrifice and determination to succeed
would lead them on to the heights.
Recently the writer's attention was
called to life chapter that was full OF
interest and inspiration, telling, as ii
did, of honest efforts to rise, due ap-
probation and subsequent success.
Alexander Martin was what ls
known as a rough carpenter-that IL,
he was employed on the rough work
in building; his wages were some
thing less than two dollars per day,
and considering the fact there were
frequent intervals when there was no
work 10 be done it is not strange that
he found difficulty In making both
ends meet.
One morning the thought occurred to
him that his average earnings were
less than dollar and half, while
men working on the same building
were receiving three and four dollars
for davis work and having constant
employment. Many of them were no
brighter than he, he fiattared himself
the difference was that they had learn
ed the art of doing fine work.
That night, and for many nights
following, Martin carried home with
a bundle of hard wood small blocks
which had been thrown into the waste.
The men wondered what he was
doing with the pieces of hard wood
which he carried home from time 10
time, and they were puzzled to learn
that he had purchased q set OF TOOLS
such as only the best carpenters have
use for. They noticed that bis work
was more accurate, but somehow the
truth did not dawn upon them.
One morning the contractor asked
his meu if any of them knew Where
he could find first-class man capable
of building the spiral staircase leading
from the front hall to the second floor.
The house was to be completed on
certain date, and, as the man WHO was
| to have built the staircase was sick, ne
needed an expert at once.
~ think can do the work satlsfac'
torily,n said Alexander Martin, STEP
ping forward. ,,,
The contractor looked amused, q"
fear l shall need an experienced
hand" said he, striving hard to re-
! press a smile.
"I am confident that [ can satisfy
you, SIR" said Martin.
"Well, get your tools and go 10
work then" said the boss;" "but il
will not take me day, nor an hour
to see what you can do in that line
young man." .
That afternoon Martin began on the
stairway, and though the contractor
frequently passed that way to view the
work, contrary to the expectations OF
the other men be was not interrupted.
As the work progressed the other
carpenters stopped to admire; the in
laid work was amarvel of cunning art,
and the sight filled them with amaze
meut.
"You are building the stairs to sue
cess, AL" said one of the men the lat
ter part of the week; the bossls might
! lily pleased with your work.
Saturday afternoon the stairs were
com pleted, and as Martin was sweep
ing away the chips and sawdust, the
contractor handed him his pay enve-
lope. There were $22 in it, more mon
ey than he had ever before received IN
fortnight.
" shall want you on similar job
next Monday" said the contractor,
&" in fact there will be work of thlsna'
ture for you right along"
It was then that Alexander Martin
began to realize that he had been
building the stairs that were to LEAD
him upward to success that those days
and evenings of hard study had moi
been wasted.