The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-16

Schwab was eighteen years old when ne
went to work in the mill at 80 week.
He didn't drive stakes very long. IN
six months he was an assistant engl-
neer, and even Capt. Jones marVeled at
his thorough knowledge of the work.
irgs of the plant 1t wasn't long until
Schwab was chief engineer. He was
only a rosy checked boy, clean cut and
smiling and known to every man in the
mill as Smiling Charley" Schwab.
At that time the Braddock plant was
being torn up and cast on to the scrap
heap. Capt. Jones was CARRYING new
ideas into effect. The steel industry
was making progress by leaps and
bounds Frequently new machinery
was installed to take the place Of old
and at a cost of thousands of dollars,
only to be abandoned in few weeks,
when a greater improvement was
evolved. Young Schwab was working
alongside of Capt. Jones. He served
the latter as a sort of encyclopedia OF
figures and facts.
Andrew Carnegie was living in
Eighth street, Pittsburg, ten miles
away. He kept in touch with what
was going on at Braddock and occa-
sionally called Capt. Jones to Pittsburg
to get report. Capt. Jones did not
like the idea of getting out of harness
to run down to Pittsburg, and in his
blunt but kindly way he told Mr.. Car
negie that the cars were too slow"
and he didn't have time"
BY the way" said Capt Jones to
Mr.. Carnegie one day, Il think l can
fix this matter without wasting any
time. I've a young fellow named
Schwab, and he knows as much about
the plant as I do. I'll send him down
to report to you and if you tire talking
shop you can have a little music.
Schwab can play first rate"
"All right, captain, I'd like to meet
Mr.. Schwab," said Mr.. Carnegie.
Sehwab bad never seen Mr.. Carnegie,
but when Capt. Jones told him to go to
Pittsburg and tell Mr.. Carnegie what
they were doing he started off with a
confident ease. He entered the steel
kings presence unabashed and related
with accuracy and enthusiasm his story
of the immense operations at Brad
dock. Mr.. Carnegie was astounded.
He marveled at the youths efficiency.
Bringing his own wide experience into
play, he endeavored to tangle Schwab,
but the boy met him at every point
and in his boyish, comprehensive style
called Mr.. Carnegie's attention to the
facts.
why, the boy carried me off my.
feet" Mr.. Carnegie said some years
afterwards. HE told me what was
being done, how it was being done and
why it was being done. He was very re-
freshing"
After they had talked shop" for
several hours young Schwab picked up
his hat and started to go.
"Oh, you must play for me-" said
Mr. Carnegie, when they had reached
the door. Il almost forgot
I'm afraid l don't play very WELL"
said Schwab. but I'll do the best
can" He played the old songs-the
ones that had been popular in Mr.. Car
Ok JErh iSI9 h11
into classics in his maturity. He play
ed an old Scotch ballad and touched
the ironmasters heart. His music
clinched the hold his steel knowledge
had invited in Mr. Carnegie's regard.
That was the banner day in Schwab's
life 1t opened the great field which
he was destined to cover. From that
day MIR. Carnegie never lost sight of
him. and Schwab's ability enabled him
to fulfill with credit every project as
signed to him. SchWab became en-
gineer and then superintendent
When hardly out of his teens Schwab
rebuilt the Homestead mills. He was
thirty years old when Capt Jones was
killed and he became general superin-
tendent of the Edgar Thompson works
at salary of $4,000 year.
1t may be said that Schwab's music
inspired Mr.. Carnegie's philanthropy
in the direction of church organs. He
played an organ which Mr.. Carnegie
had installed in his home. He was
fine performer. At the Franciscan
school where he had received his mu-
steal education he had spent many
hours at the organ. The music he
produced in Mr. Garnegie's home was
different from any the steelmaster had
ever heard. The result was accom-
plished by the combination of a good
instrument and a good performer.
On the subject of religion Mr.. Car
negie has always been discreet about
expressing a public opinion but years
ago he is said to have remarked that
good music would soothe the soul of
any human creature"
I've been to many churches" he
said one evening to SchWab, while the
latter was playing, but 1 haven't heard
much of that kind of music"
Il think it is the fault Of the or
gans," said Schwab.
1t was not long after that when Mr..
Carnegie presented the Homestead
church with the finest organ that mon
ey could buy.
The subject of Mr. Schwab's appar-
ent prodigality once led some of his
friends to an interesting discussion.
They finally decided that Mr.. Schwab's
generosity was partly due to lack of
knowledge of the real value of money
because he had never known the ex-
perience of being "pinched' for 1t.
SchWab was not a poor boy. 1t is true
he drove stage for his father at Lo-
retta, but that was in vacation time
and more for receation than anything
else.
One day Schwab asked an old friend
in Braddock for advice in investing
his money. He was only getting Sc
week.
why, you haven't any money, have
you?" asked the friend.
I've nearly a hundred dollars" said
Schwab.
But how did you save it? You only
got $3.50 at the grocery and you only
get Sc now
How would 1 spend it?" said
Schwab. "a few books and SO much
every Sunday at church. What else
would do with it?'
Schwab didn't understand until long
after why his friend, after burst of
uncomfortable laughter, said: boy,
you're all right; you've great future"
Schwab's philanthropy was meas
ured by the degree Of his prosperity.
AS the years rolled by and his income
increased his charities or gifts or re-
membranes, as he was wont to call
them, footed up to a comfortable sum.
He lived in simple, transformations
fashion, even after he was married,
although his home at Braddock was a
model of taste and comfort.
III the Braddock and Homestead
mills were many old veterans who
had been left behind in the rapid march
of the steel business. In the days be-