New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-03
ANDREW CARNEGIE AND BOOKER 7. WASHINGTON.
ANECDOTES 4BOUT BOTH THESE REUARK4BLE
MEN ONE OF WHOM HIS PROVIDED FOR
THE OTHERS OLD 4GE.

: The early life OF Andrew Carnegie. who now
/ keeps the world guessing what philanthropy rs
proposes. enables one TO understand bis char
acter far better than volumes about his charitiss
/ Stories Of the days when the boy fireman
or a telegraph operator are not as numerous as The
| announcements Of his almost daily benefactious.
/ but they are far more illustrative u the man.
| Major J. orion Kerbey Of the Pfttsburz ard
/ amazon Rubber Trading Company. close
| companion Of Mr.. Carnegie and worked side oy
side with him when the were in their twsnties.
In speaking Of the ronmsste-'s early life recently.
/ Mr.. kerbey said las look back those DAYS
see more clearly than did then the characteristics
which have contributed TO Mr. Carnegie's success.
/ In the first Place Andy all called him
/ then. was NEST economical lad. When he vas q
| telegraph operator in thu employ Of the Pennsyl-
| vania Railroad at Pittsburg he lived with mis-
! mother and brother Tom in Allegheny. across
the river Street cars had Just been installed and
| the other boys all rode on them. Not 50 with
/ Andy Though his mothers home was two miles
/ from his mill nevertheless he walked the whole
| distance twice day One day took him cousid-
/ erabIy to task for dressing more in style and
/ In reply he said:
" I'm trying to save UP $500 Besides I've a
mother to support At that time Andy
| earning something like $40 month
| Several years later. after he hal boIlznt ID
some coal and oil lands with his savings. and was
getting some capital together for his later enter
| prises in iron and steel. I said to him.
" You like the girls Why don't you get married
| the same as the other fellows and have family
and home Of your ovne You are wealthy
| enough
q" Not yet was the reply. 7 shall not marry an
| long my dear old mother is alive And he keDr
his word
! But Mr. Carnegie would never have attained to
MS present wealth by economy alone. An even
more important element to contribute his success
was MS agreeable manner After he had been pro-
| NOTED from the post of fireman Of a stationary
engine IN the basement Of telegraph company. az
salary Of g 80 week, to that OF a district mes
| senger. he CHANGED one day to take a telegram TO
1honas A Scott the district superintendent OF the
pennsylvania Railroad, who later became the presi-
dent OF the road. and who Assistant Secretary
OF War during the Civil War. Mr.. Scott was a
stern faced nan. short Of speech and strict Of dis
| clP1ne When young Carnegie. who was a brighr
| raced chunk Of a boy. handed him the telegram hs
did not shuttle from foot to the other as u1os-
! boys do IN their Indifference 70 their work and
their iT1patience to be off. Instead he waited "a
tiently- n hand and when the s14perfn+erdenrs
| glared at him he returned the frovrn with a smile
| scott saw in a glance that the boy had in him
a temperament which sharply contrasted with his
own. and he took a fancy TO him. He asked ths
boy if he was satisfied with being a messenger all
| MS hfe- and learned that in odd moments the lad
was studying teiegraphy. and had already learned
| now 10 handle a key. Mr.. Scott came to a quick
! conclusion He asked the boy to enter the employ
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a telegraph oper-
ator. and later he made him his private secretary
In this last position Carnegie proved Of great help
ior MS genial manner often Strengthened Diff
| culties caused by the austerity of his employer
| Andy was also favorite among his fellow
| employees. Though he did not spend his money to
buy candy and ice for the girls he liked th..
| fair sex and was jolly companion in a pleasure.
party I remember one occasion. when there was
a sort Of picnic a grove Just outside OF Pitts
burg. when Andy and pretty girl whom he rad
chosen TO escort, on seeing stray horse took ir
into their heads to go riding Andy captured ths
animal ard after boosting the girl onto the horses
back he climbed up himself. and the two rode
| around the grounds At time the girl nearly
I III. afy- rink 49,
other boys. told the girl to put her arms around
MIN and hang fast The girl kept the horse all
right after that.
| As far back as I can remember. Carnegie was
extremely fond of dancing. He only had a
small foot. but he light on his toes and han
died himself gracefully Born in Scotland he had
| learned many Of the Scottish Dances and when
| ever he attended party he to be asked
| TO dance a reel by himself. I remember on one
occasion party Of US went to a resort known "a
| WapsynonEock. just out OF Altoona. where Eve
| ranges OF mountains meet and pile VI, on one an
| other. The scenery was wild all about but In this
| one spot pavilion had been built and grounds
laid out for excursfOnsts. The dancing hall vas
| large, and after the round dances and quadrines
| when the majority Of the party were thoroughly
tired out, shouted:
| " Let's have dance from Andy'P
| las with one accord every dancer left the door
| and ranged around the walls. Andy did not need
| any coaxing. but taking a shawl from one OF the
girls he went skipping :nto the middle OF the pig
! floor and danced a Highland fling which brought
down the house In that dance he swung his arms
and feet and swayed his body 50 that 7 thought
ne would break his backbone
| As soon as Carnegie went into the employ OF
the PENNSYLVANIA he showed hts fondness for books
and letters He and his associates formed de5ar-
old engine house and have discussions on politics.
philosophy and religion 1t In this way THAI
he evinced such liberal views that one az his
Catholic companions charged MIN with being an
! atheist
e Whatever YOU may think replied young car
| negle' i 40 WISH were a good CaJhote-
In these various mutual associations Caruazta
| generally the treasurer. II there was any
significance In this Of az that TIM
For instance he the treasurer n good de-
pertinent club. which formed 10 improve the
behavior and Of speech of members
II member made grammatical mistake. or
acted Improperly. ne compelled paw a fine or
| negie had To contribute once u the mis-
take fund although h. especially active in
picking up his fellows and eXdcting for their
| errors With the fund which thus obtained
| Andy bought taffy and distributed the cardy
/ among his associates
| When Scott was made president ~ the PenrsyI-
| vania Railroad Carnegie succeeded him a. DISTRICT
| his secretary. The two brothers were different Al
| almost every characteristic Tom was devoted 10
athletics. At the time that the former was busy
/ preparing for debate the engine house Ms
| brother out rowing the Allegheny River,
4 for he member Of a boats crew and an sx-
/ ceIlent oarsuan- Andrew was frugal Thomas on
| the contrary. one Of the boys nd spent hfs
/ money freely. Thomas was much more like ma
i father than Andrew
=