The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-03-03

up MS 'athei WORK OF butchering. That night John
jacob walked out of Waldorf by the wan light of the
moon headed for Antwerp He carried a biz red hand.
kerchief in which his worldly goods were knottcd
lie reached Antwerp in week There he got a
Job on the docks as laborer. The next day he was
promoted 20 cheCkeron The captain Of a shin asked
MIN to go to oadon and figure up the manifess the
way He went.
The captain Of the ship recommended him to the
company in London and the boy piing up wealth at
the rate OF a guinea month
In September, 1889. came the news to London that
George Washington had surrendered In any event
peace had been declared CORVALLIS had forced the
issue, so the Americans had stopped fighting.
a little later 1t given out that England had
given mp her American colonies and they were free.
lntultycly John Jacob Astor felt that world"
was the place for him He bought passage by sailing
ship bound for Baltimore "A Of five pounds lie
then fastened five pounds in belt around his waist and
with the rest Of his moncyaftcr sending two pounds
home TO his father with letter of love bought dozen
German flutes
He had learned to play this instrument with pro
hciency and IN America he thought there would be
opening for musicians and musical instruments
John Jacob was then nearly 20 years Of age.
On board ship he met German 20 years older than
himself who a fur trader and had been home on a
visit John Jacob played the flute and the German friend
told stories Of fur trading among the Indians.
Young Astors curiosity was excited. The Waldorf.
Astoria plan Of flute playing was forgotten lie fed on
fur trading.
Arriving in Baltimore he was disappointed to learn
that there fur traders there He started for
New York
q Quaker who bought and sold furs
Young Asor set himself to learn the businoss-cvery
part of it, He always sitting the doorstep before
the owner carrying big key TO open the warehouse,
got around in the morning He the last to leave
a night
The qualities that make youth good servant
the basic for mastershp. Asor's aertness will
ngness, loyalty and ability to obey delivered his en-
poyer over into his hands.
Robert Bovine the good old Quaker insisted that
Jacob should call him Robert. and from boarding the
mn wi Inv wor Wi VIII tank hpaD
boarders, Bovine took young Astor TO his house
and raised his pay from 81 week to So
Bovine had made annual trip to Montreal for many
years. Montreal the metropolis for furs. Bovine
Montreal himself because he did know of
anyone he could carry the message Garcia.
Young Astor had been with Bovine only year. He
spoke imperfect English, but he did not drink gamble
and he knew furs and honest
Bovine started him on for Canada with belt full
of gold; his only weapon was German flute that he
carried in his hand.
John Jacob Aston assembled the Hudson river to Al.
bany and then with pack his back struck north alone
through the forest for Lake Champain As he APP
preached Indian settlement he played his flute The
abogines showed disposition to give him the hook
He hired Indians to paddle him TO the Canadian Dor
der. He reached Montreal
The fur traders there knew Bovine a very sharp
buyer and had their quilts out his approach. But
young Astor seemingly Indifferent His manner
courteous and He got close to his man and took
his pick of the pelts fair prices He expended all of
his money and bought credit, for there
who always have credit.
Young Aston found Indian nature to be simply human
nature The savage man and courtesy, gentleness
fairly good flute playing soohed his breast
Astor had beads and blankets, flute and smile The
Indians carried his goods by relays and then passed him
on with cultural certificates as to character to other
red and at last he reached New York without the
loss of a pelt the dampenng of his ardor.
Bovine was delighted. To young Astor II was moth.
ing He had in his blood the success corpusce.
He might have remained with Bovine and become a
partner in the business but Bovine had business lim-