Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02

- go after cargo
from far off lands, solicited the greatest
concern of his impressionable mind. To
see these places and to live the tales of the
sea which he heard became resolve by
day and dream by night. This soon
shaped itself-the Pennsylvania school
ship offering the sought for opportunity,
and berth on board was readily secured.
Eighteen months before the mast,
buffeted about by wind and wave, tough
ened the muscles and bronzed the cheek
"a fitting preliminary to future events.
His was a jolly life, a life whose sum and
substance was turn about work and play,
though it led no farther than the bowsprit.
The cruise over, position as apprentice
in a boiler shop was obtained. This work
was hard Heavy iron plates must needs
be hammered and rolled and coaxed into
shape. The forge was hottie tongs
heavy, and it took strong muscles to
drive and c1inch the rivets-yet the pay
envelope on Saturday night could boast
but six dollars for the whole weeks work
Prospects were as dark as the heavy
black plates which he daily hammered
Toll and labor as he would for years, it
might make him steady worker and
skillful mechanic-but there, perchance,
progress must stop.
Seven o'clock every morning saw him
in overal1s and jumper with another day
of toll ahead The dinner pail at noon
was the only solace; for hunger, at times,
makes any of us forget Our troubles. 1t
went on this way for three long years,
till one day he saw an advertisement of
the international Correspondence Schools
of Scranton, telling of their plan by which
workers could prepare themselves for
higher positions without losing time from
their work. The proposition it made
seemed SO straightforward and SO easy
that he filled in and mailed the coupon
without delay. This was the turning
point in his career. By return mail he
received full details of the easy |. c. S.
road to success. He learned that thou
sands of young men and women all over
the world had prohted by the l. c. S.
instruction-why not her An appren-
tees pay didn't offer much latitude in
the selection of an education, but the
determination to dc" asserted itself, and
the mechanical course was decided upon.
Soon the lessons began to come. No
longer did the boys find him at the old
haurts and the might off " soon took on
a new meaning.
The hour or two with the lessons in the
evening soon showed by marked progress
in the shop. Problems which formerly
were mysteries to all but the boss" were
now clear and practical. Success was at
last within reach. His increased abilities
soon won him the important post of assist
ant foreman. From here it was but a
step to the coveted position of construct
ing engineer. The duties were now most
exacting. Tanks and stacks and power
plants were in course of erection, and
serious problems now confronted the
young engineer, requiring level head
and steady hand. The lessons kept pace
with the work, however and difficult
problems easily simplifed themselves
The rest, briefly told, is the story of big
things accomplished in brief period of
time. Itmight be related how an interest
in the business was acquired, finally dis
posing of this and organizing and equip