The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-11-28
PLUCK, NOT LUCK.
How a Southern Boy Rose to EmineRt
Success In the Business World
by His Own Energy and
Integrity.
Manufacturers Record.)

Manufacturers Record)
Eight years ago a Southern boy,
19 years of age, whose mother had
struggled to give him a fair educa-
cation, went to New York and secur-
ed a position at the amount Of $500
week involving the superintend-
ence of laborers putting down pipes
in the streets. Notwithstanding the
expense of living in New York, this
boy paid his way, putting up with
many inconvenience and hardships,
and found time to devote many
hours to study. He determined to
know everything that could be learn
ed out Of books about the line of
work in which he was then employ
ed. He was at the bottom of the
ladder, but he determined to reach
the top if study and efficiency could
accomplish the result. Unaided,
with no backing except his own hon
esty, sobriety and devotion to his
work, he spent his evenings in the
libraries of New York fitting him
self by constant study for whatever
high position there might possibly
be ahead of him. 1t was but short
time before his efficiency brought a
voluntary offer of $1,000 a year.
When he had been connected with
this one company for four years the
general superintendent, who was
managing the construction of the
largest plant of its kind il the world,
involving the expenditure of a great
many millions of dollars, resigned to
take position elsewhere. He was
asked to find a successor, and he rec
commended this young Southern man,
then % years of age. The owner
said he was too young to be given
such responsibility, but the superin-
tendent said he knew more about
the business and was more fitted to
handle it than any other man in the
concern. And so at % he was ad-
vanced and given charge of the con-
struction Of this great plant and his
salary advanced to $1,000 year. A
year or two later one of the great
manufacturing concerns of the
country, which supplied large part
of the material for the construction
of this plant became so much i'm
pressed with the business ability and
efficiency Of this young man that
after considerable persuasion they
induced him to resign and take en-
tire management of their concern,
which employs over 1000 skilled
mechanics and carries on large bust
ness operations throughout this
country and abroad, offering him as
an inducement salary of S10,OOO a
year, and an interest in the business.
At q years of age, or eight years
after he left his home, with naequip-
ment except his good character and
a moderate education, this young
man is partner in one Of the most
important business houses in the
country managing its great opera
tions and building for himself not
only fortune, but a name for up
rightness, integrity and honor, which
is above all price. The mother, who
struggled in his early life to provide
for him such opportunities as he had
now finds in this boy a devotion tt
her and his brothers and sisters equa
in strength to the character which
: he has displayed in the development
of business.
The Manufacturers Record tells
this story without using names,in or
der to emphasize the fact that effici
ency. honor and devotion to ever.
duty still find their reward, and like
3 wise to point to the fact that thl
: case illustrates that the opportunitle
t for young men were never create
than today. People talk about tn
lack of opportunity, about the inabll
ity of young men to find advance
l ment unless backed by wealth an
powerful friends, but this case, an
:. # IS hut an illustration of hundred
o of others, proves that opportunitle
are without limit and that the boy
own character is worth in the stug
y ole for advancement far more tina
: money or rich friends on whom t
+ rely.