Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-05
A MODERN
PRODIGAL SON.

Many fathers of prodigal son have
extended a helping hand to returned
wanderers when the latter got tired
of the husks. This is the story of a
father who wouldn't get out of bed to
welcome his son who, after years Of
~wanderings, returned home with a
bank roll, which he had honestly
earned.
The story came out at a dinner in
a Flatbush club a few nights ago.
The man who told the story had
played the part OF the son.
MY governor" he said, was a prac-
teal, u%nrelentirg man. He gave me
every advantage that any reasonable
boy could want.
But | came into the world with a
spirit of unrest. | did what thousands
have done-I ran away from home.
For more than two years my peo-
pie supposed | was dead. l became a
hobo. l was a beggar and an outcast
in a number of towns.
But, hard up and as ragged as |
frequently was, ! never stole a cent.
| would work occasionally, but as O o
as l earned a few dollars away | went
and lived ~riotously while the earnings
lasted.
Occasionally was run in as a va
grant, but | was always released. New
Ell in my career as a besgar was | sent
to a workhouse. | had a number of
aliases. l never Gisgraced my fathers
name by giving it as my name. Once
| enlisted, but failed to pass inspec-
ton.
One day | was employed by a rail-
road then under construction. For the
first time since leaving home | gave
my right name. | vas a pretty good
driver.
When the work was done the con
other state. Then he made me boss of
the gang. | began to enjoy the work.
Il was sent at n time OF a mission
of Importance. On that mission 1 was
intrusted with $4,000. If ever l was
tempted to steal it was then.
1 q hOlC Ll5hl uCDdblhS IL
question. | concluded to try to be
honest with this sum-, but | don't mind
telling you now that l said to myself
that if | ever had $40. 900 put in my
hands | would skip with it. That was
the pile | set my heart on.
in less than a year that exact
amount was given to me, and the point
to which | vas sent was 500 miles
away.
But as soon as l started l began to
weaken. 1t was not altogether an hon
est intention that caused me to hest
tate. 1t was the desire to get more.
Il thought it all out and concluded
that it would not pay to be dishonest
for 10000. | said to myself-actually
put myself under oath-that if | ever
got $40 900 | would see the world while
the money lasted.
After my $4,000 mission the con-
tractor who had started me at driving
a team offered me an interest in his
business. l declare to you that while
| accepted his generous offer | did it
with a sort of mental reservation.
Il did not do it with the intention Of
building myself up or of being square.
| resolved that if ever had an oppor-
tunity of getting $4,000 from my ,bene-
factor l would take it and quit work.
About two years after this | was
sent to Mexico. The firm of which |
was a member had a big contract. 1t
was worth nearly a half million dol
lars when the work was finished.
When l reached Mexico l said to
myself. Here Is a chance to be honest
or go to the devil For the first time
in my life since | had left home
found ii more difficult to do wrong
than right. l know this is not the gem
eral idea. But | could not get my con-
seat to so wrong.
My ambition ran in the opposite
direction. Stranse as it may sound, l
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