The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-03-13
A LEGACY.
toriginaL.l


Of your fellow men. Confidence is the
basis of all that leads on to fortune,
and n you follow my advice explicitly
you will be prosperous and perhaps
prominent The advice is this!
Don't expose your ignorance or stu
pidity. Never give an opinion. Look
wise and say nothing"
Irving Shadrac. the legatee to this
meager fortune, was impressed. In
deed, he began to act on the advice at
once. His father had but one intimate
friend, a man doing large business.
He called upon Irving and asked him
to express his wishes concerning the
funeral Irving looked at him as
though he had been asked the question
Of his life. He made no reply. He
seemed to be considering.
''If you like" said his questioner, 81
will attend to everything for you"
Irving pressed his hand without
speaking.
The funeral arrangements were well
attended to, and John Andrews Of the
firm of Andrews & Co was proud of
his success in having arranged a very
impressive ceremony. When he met
the son after II was all over and asked
how he was pleased with his manage
ment, Irving looked unutterable graft
tude. 1t occurred to him to tell Mr..
Andrews why he so approved Of the
arrangements; but, lest he should not
hit on what Mr.. Andrews considered
the principal feature, he held his peace.
There's good STUFF In that boy" said
the merchant. 81 must get him into
my counting room. He'll never go of
half cooked. He'll never slop over"
Irving became one of the lowest Or
der OF clerks in the house Of Andrews
& Co. Whenever 1t was necessary for
him to go into the private office OF the
head OF the firm he did what was
necessary, but did not speak He look
ed as II he were carrying in his head
a solution Of all the various problems
that beset the welfare OF the business
Noticing this, Mr.. Andrews on one or
two occasions. in order to test him,
submitted to him some business ques-
ton and asked him what he would do
In the matter Irving at once put on
his visible thinking cap. Mr.. Andrews
asked him a leading question, which
gave away his own opinion. Then
Irving told him the way the thing
should be done-Mr. Andrews own
way.
Shadrac was made chief clerk and
then became a partner Meanwhile he
was following his fathers bequest In
every department Of life. If gath
ering OF citizens met to discuss the
water supply, he appeared to be doing
the thinking for the meeting. but new
or opened his mouth If the vestry-
men of his church discussed a cues
ton OF finances, he, a member looked
at the ceiling thoughtfully and II ask
ed for his opinion said, I'm thinking"
Before the meeting broke up he had
learned what the majority wished and
advocated It with every appearance of
having reached the conclusion by pro
found elaboration.
When II was proposed to send Irv-
ing Shadrac to congress he really
thought for the first time In his life.
the subject of his elaboration being
whether he could best serve his own
purposes by remaining in business or
going into politics. He decided for the
latter and went to congress. There he
never opened his mouth. But he was
a true American. going always with
the majority, Other congressman had
views which they fought for. shad-
rae had no views except such as were
Indicated by his dlgnified and thought
full appearance. Fortunately for him
no was getting bald and looked older
than he was. A man who never made
mistakes, who was always on the right
side Of every question-he could never
be on the wrong side except In a vote,
and then he had the majority with
him--could not but grow In impor-
lance, and Congressman Shadrac step
ped In time from the house of repre-
sentatiVes Into the senate chamber.
One day the president sent for him.
Shadrac responded and sat down with
the nations chief, an expression on
his face indicating that he was ready
70 solve even the question OF the Pan
anna canal.
Senator" said the president. "a
portfolio in my cabinet Is about to be-
come vacant"
Shadrac was sitting with his right
leg over his left. He Immediately
changed. putting his left over his
right He appeared to be ready to
consider the various names concerning
which the president would ask his
preference.
Il find that your state is behind In
tho lAst OF important government posts
and that there Is such confidence In
the sOundness OF your Views on all
Issues OF pith and moment that have
Determined 10 offer you the portfolio.
WIN you accept it?'
Shadrac knit his browa. drew down
the corners OF his mouth. changed legs,
put his hand up to his forehead. but
made no reply.
SEilenca gives e,onsan4 saId The