The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-15
PROFITABLE PoLITENEss.
A Boys Courtesy to a Stranger Made
the Formers Fortune
Satnrdav Eveninp Postl

Saturday Evening Post.)
Colonel John Boyd, one of the best
known gentlemen in Washington, and
one of the most popular, lifted himself
from poverty to independence by an act
of courtesy. ~ygo
In his own home one evening. recently
ne narrated the incident quietly and
Unpretentiously.
Il was an assistant doorkeeper for
the house of representatives in 1871. AS
1 came through the swinging doors Of
the house one afternoon / noticed
large man Of business-like demeanor
conversing with another assistant door
keeper and l heard the large man say
ing. I am very anxious to find Senator
Sargent of California
The assistant doorkeeper answered.:
Senators are to be found at the other
end Of the capitol. 1t is none of our
60
I am aware of that replied the large
man, and l have had the senate wing
searched and have been advised to seek
the senator over at this end of the cap
itol. Can you aid me in any way?'
f" NO, / can't was the answer. T
have trouble enough at this end looking
after the representatives.
The large man was turning TO go
away when 1 touched him on the shoul-
der and said: You are evidently a bus
mess man from California; and as that
is a long journey, ! will try and help
you. What this gentleman has told you
is true: we are not obliged to look for
senators, but ] believe ! can help you
if you will be kind enough to occupy
my chair by this door while l am
away.
Thanking me very earnestly the
large man sat down and I hurried off,
looking for the California representa-
tives, and soon ascertaimed that they
were all assembled in the restaurant,
and that Senator Sargent was dining
with them. l whispered to the senator,
telling him what manner of man was
| seeking him. and he Immediately arose.
excused himself TO the representatives
and went with me. The large man was
greeted very cordially by the senator,
and they went together to the restsu-
rant 70 join the other Calirornians. Be
fore going the large man asked me il
/ could call at his hotel at clock that
evening and l answered that / could dc
so. He then gave me his card. saying
L " III ltidiik rOu ~ bt piOstiDAs
Il was struck dumb with amozement
when l read on the card, in fine script
the words Coils P. Huntington. Cali
fornia.' 1t was the great railroad build
er. the pioneer of Pacific railroads. That
night l was ushered into his room ex-
aetly at s o'clock The large man
gripped my hand most cordially. say
ing:
I observe that you can as easily
be prompt as polite. I want to know
what salary you are receiving
81 am paid $1,000 per annum.
I want you 70 go TO work for ms
at $500 per annum. and l need yor
right away
But am l capable? Can 1 do tho
work.
That has been investigated by me
and you will fill the bill. Do you &C.
ceptg
Il accepted at once and resigned from
the house on the following day. Mr.
| Huntington wanted information con.
corning pending legislation, a matter
with which / was familiar. and all
had To do was to write occasional let
tiers and keep him informed. My sal
airy was gradually and voluntarily in
| creased; and, in fact, my fortune wai
made from that time on. And I founo
my employer great big, lovable man
too"