davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07
The Opportunities of Bank Clerk.

better advantages than the cento- Of
finance in New York and the larger cities.
Ability Is something that is generally
quickly recognized in the banking bust
ness, but in large banks the recognition
of ability is necessarily slow.
In practically all Washington institu-
tions the work Of the clerical force is
under direct supervision Of the cashier.
who is in close touch with those higher
on the official roster while in the large
banks of New York each department. is
under direction of manager. thus MAX
ing it necessary for the clerks to sue
coed first in their one department before
ability is recognized by officials. Further
more. a clerk in a Washington bank
quickly gains a working knowledge or
every department of the bank. In Men
York his banking experience may begin
and end in one department, depriving hin!
Of the practical experience of the rela-
ton of banking in it's entirety 10 con-
merce. While banking In New York Is
carried on in volume probably a hun
bred times greater than in Washington.
it is its very enormity which makes the
New York bank clerk Insignificant and
dwarfs his advantage for advancement.
and practical experience. Pointedly, his
chances to become lost in the shuttle VI
finance far outnumber the chances for
either succeeding in the banking profess
sion or choosing a business for himself
Altogether. the Washington young man
with a good banking education should
come very near being a practical bust
ness man. In a word. he has been be
hind the scenes of business. He has
helped run the machinery which turns
the business world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

fired every gun while I remained in the
turret.
Soon after noon q shell from the
enemy's gun, the muzzle not ten yards
distant, struck the forward side of the
pilot house directly in the sight hole, or
iron log and partly lifting the top, leav-
ing an opening. Worden was standing
Immediately behind this spot, and re-
ceived in his face the force of the blow.
which partly stunned him and, filling his
eyes with powder utterly blinded him.
The injury was known only to those
i'm the pilot house and It's immediate
vicinity The flood Of light rushing
through the top of the pilot house, now
was, to believe that the pilot house was
seriously injured. if not destroyed; he
therefore gave orders TO put the helm to
starbOard and sheer off Thus the
Monitor retired temporarily from the
action. in order to ascertain the extent
of the injuries she had received. At the
same time Worden sent for me, and
turret, | went forward at once. and
found him standing at the foot of the
ladder leading to the pilot house.
He was CHASTITY sight, with his eyes
closed and the blood apparently rushing
from every pore in the upper part of his
face. He told me that he was seriously
wounded, and directed me to take COM
mand. / assisted in leading him to Il
sofa in his cabin, where he was tenderlv
sumed command Blind and suffering as
he was. Wordens fortitude never for
sock him: he frequently asked from his
bed of pain of the progress of affairs,
and when told that the Minnesota was
saved, he said, Then l can die happy
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

bear?' He replied: 'On the starboard
beam" or ION the port quarter" as the
case might be. Then the difficulty was
to determine the direction OF the star
board beam or port quarter or any other
bearing.
1t finally resulted that when a gun
was ready for firing the turret would be
started on its revolving journey in search
of the target, and when found it was
taken ION the fy,' because the turret
could not be accurately controlled Once
the Merrimac tried to ram us, but Wor-
den avoided the direct impact by the
skillful use of the helm, and she struck
glancing blow. which did no damage
At the instant of collision | planted a
solid 1SO-pound shot fair and square
upon the forward part of her casemate
Had the gun been loaded with thirty
pounds of powder, which was the charge
is probable that this shot would have
penetrated her armor. But, the charge
being limited to fifteen pounds. the shot
rebounded without doing any more dam
age than possibly to start some of the
beams Of her armor backing.
=
The battle continued at close quarters
without apparent damage to either side
After a time, the supply of shot in the
turret being exhausted, Worden hauled
off for about fifteen minutes to replenish
but fifteen pounds, was a matter of ne
difficulty. but the hosting of the heavy
shot was slow and tedious operation, i
being necessary that the turret should re
main stationary, In order that the two
Scuttles, one in the deck and the other IL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07
Worth a Reward.
HARRINGTON is

nPOOTH HARRINGTON is very diff
- cult to please in matters theatri-
CAL" said a famous Philadelphia novelist
''Tarkington was visiting me here dur
ing the run of one of his own plays. and
after dinner one evening we sauntered
to the theater.
but the doorkeeper didn't know us.
and for some little time refused to let us
in. Finally. though, Tarkingtons iden-
tity was established and We were con-
Quoted to a stage box.
But the performance wasn't up to much.
Harrington fidgeted in his chair. and at
the end Of the first act he suggested that
we go.
ION our way out I saw my illustrious
friend peering anxiously about the lobby.
What are you looking for?' said.
""Tm looking said Harrington, for
that chap who wouldn't let us in. l want
to give him a quarter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07
The Cud.

G. PHELPS STOKES, at the Knicker-
j. booker Club In New York. was
praising the various country week asso-
Citations that are already preparing to
give the children Of the poor brief coun-
try vacations.
'The little urchins.'' said Mr.. Phelps
Stokes, "enjoy these healthful holidays.
and wonderful are the remarks that the
country's strangeness draws from their
young lips. One August afternoon tiny
East Slider. pointing to a farmers herds
in shady meadow, asked:
Where does the farmer get all the
chewing gum for his cows?'"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

knowledge gained through the success Of
hundreds of other business houses trans
actin" business through his bank. Meth
DDS, systems, ideas of every business
man dealing with his bank are at his
finger tips He has but to assimilate
them, store them for future use. should
he contemplate entering business some
time for himself
The habit of assuming responsibility
until 1t becomes second nature is another
feature of the banking business which
makes the bank clerk good business
man. With his climb from the runners
desk, bank clerks responsibility in
creases, giving him an atmosphere of as
surance and confidence which finally fits
him for the teller's cage. And the man
who reaches the teller's cage has showed
ability in nearly every line of bank work
and covered the vital points OF the rela-
ton of finance to business. And here
we have another interesting feature of
the banking business from an educa-
ticnal viewpoint.
Facing several hundred business men
each day, the teller receives sort OF
bird s-eye view Of the Washington BUSH
ness field. His close connection with the
financial department Of each business
enables him to choose some lucrative
business in which competition is not SO
keen. Familiarity with fluctuating ball
ances and conversational hints at the
window give him the opportune time
should he care to embark for himself.
And starting, he has the best wishes of
a host of business acquaintances. many
Of them ready to extend a helping hand
For opportunities of success in the
banking business Washington has even
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

When I reached my station in the pilot
house 1 found that the iron log was frac-
tured and the top partly open; but the
steering gear was still intact, and the
had been feared. In the confusion Of the
moment resulting from so serious an in
jury to the commanding officer, the Monl-
tor had been moving without direction.
Exactly how much time elapsed from the
moment that Worden was wounded until
1 had reached the pilot house and COM
pleted the examination of the injury at
that point, and determined what course
to pursue in the damaged condition of the
vessel it is impossible to state; but it
could hardly have exceeded twenty min
utes at the utmost.
During this time the Merrmac,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

which cleared the ports by only n few
inches. When the guns were run III the
portfolios We're covered by heavy iron
pendulums pierced with small holes to
allow the iron rammer and sponge ham
dies to protrude while they We're in use.
To hoist these pendulums required the
entire guns crew and vastly increased
the work inside the turret.
The effect upon one shut up in re-
volving drum is perplexing. and it Is
not a simple matter to keep the hearings.
White marks had been placed upon the
stationary deck Immediately below the
turret to indicate the direction Of the
starboard and port sides and the bow and
stern. but these marks were obliterated
early In the action. l would continually
ask the captain: How does the Merrimac
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

IITAMES ]. HILL said it was pity
more of our business men did not
graduate from the farm" remarked q
prominent washington man. He
might have added it was pity more
didn't graduate from the banking bust
ness. Its the best practical business
education a young man can get.
"Washington is more a residential
city than a commercial center" the
business man continued. But for the
reason that Washington is the Ma
tional Capital and the seat of govern
ment our bank clerks rank second to
none in opportunities for learning the
intricacies of business and finance. The
Washington Chapter Of the American
Institute of Banking has men on its
lecture staff who have first graduated
from a hard. practical business educa-
ton before taking up the direction of
government work
The Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatives contain men who are direc-
tors in some of the largest corpora
tiOns of the world. They are men
gathered from the four corners of the
country: men familiar with every phase
Of business; men who have made good.
and their advice and knowledge Is an
advantage for education which few
young men have. In addition to this,
the Washington Chapter has often lee
lures by some Of the most prominent
John f. Gardin, vice president of the
National City Bank Of New York-the
largest bank in the United States-ad-
t. 4
Commerce" Because this lecture was
published in pamphlet form and sent
broadcast throughout the United States
others received it's educational advan-
tages. But Washington bank clerks
receive the benefit of many others that
would serve as an education to thou
sands of young men.
The most important feature of any
business undertaking is the judcious
handling Of it's finances. Good men. men
who know the financial game from both
sides OF the banking counter. are hard to
get. With first work in the bank clerk
Is initiated into the mysteries Of sight
draft, bill of lading draft, promissory
notes collected over the counter for out
of-town and Washington banks. and a
hundred other little things. pawns Of the
financiers Of business. They are little
things, which in the mere handling a
clerk must know-not guess-just what
they mean and why they are being
handled by his bank
The sight draft, which features in thou
sands CT business transactions every day.
Is not Insignificant. From the collection
department Of every business house to
In cit In, tive ha{,
1t often plays lifesaver as a method of
obtaining ready cash. Not always is this
its purpose, however Sometimes a man
Is being drafted on because he is slow
pay, and other times probably because
the slgner of the draft is selling for cash
only. There are rules governing the
banks. handling of a sight draft. the
method OF collecting them, etc, which it
is well for every business man to know.
A bank clerk in his neophyte days can
tsli many small business men shrewd
methods for collecting bad debts by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

and Sabine. stating fully to them the
probable dangers of the passage to Hamp-
ton roads and the certainty of having
important service to perform after
irving. The sailors responded enthusiast
tically, many more volunteering than
were required.
We left New York In tow of the tug
boat Seth Low at IL am. of Thursday
the 9th of March. On the following
day a moderate breeze was encountered
and ii was at once evident that the Mon
ttor was unfit as seagoing craft. Moth
ing but the subsistence of the wind pre-
vented her from being shipwrecked before
she reached Hampton roads. The berth
deck hatch leaked in spite of all we
could do, and the water came down under
the turret like waterfall. II would
strike the pilot house and go over the tur
ret in beautiful curves and it came
through the narrow eye holes in the pilot
house with such force as tn knock TIE
helrnsman completely round from the
wheel.
The waves also broke over the blow
or pipes, and the water came down
through them in such quantities that the
belts of the blower engines slipped, and
The engines consequently stopped for
lack OF artificial draught. without which.
in such confined place. the fires could
sinners, followed by the engineers force
gallantly rushed into the engine room and
1ireroom 10 remedy the evil. but they
were unable TO check the iniowing water
and Were nearly sUfocated with escap-
ing gas They were dragged out more
dead than alive. and carried To the top
OF the turret. where the fresh air gradu-
ally revived them.
h
the hawse hole. and over aud down the
smoke stack and blower pipes. I'm such
auantities that there was imminent
danger that the ship would founder The
steam pumps could not be operated be-
Cause the fires had been nearly extinguish-
Cd and the engine room was uninha bitable
on account OF the suffocating gas with
which il was filled. The hand pumps
We're then rigged and worked bur they
had not enough force To- throw the water
out through the top of the turret-the
only Opening-and il was useless to bail
we had 10 pass tho buckets up through
the tuiret, which made il a very long
operation.
Fortunately. toward evening the wind
anu the subsidized and being again in
smooth water, the engine was put in
operation. But at midnight. in passing
over a shoal rough water was again en-
countered and our troubles We're renewed,
complicated this time with the jamming
of the wheel ropes. 80 that the safety of
the ship depended entirely on the strength
of the haWser which connected her with
the tugboat. The hawser, being new.
held fast, but during the greater part
of the night we were constantly engaged
in fighting the leaks, until We reached
smooth water again. just before daylight
1t was at the close Of this dispiriting
trial trip in which all hands had beer,
exhausted i'm their efforts to keep the
novel craft aflOat, that the Monitor pass
ed Cape Henry at pm. Saturday. March
s. Al this point heard the distant
booming OF heavy guns, which our cap
,a.a rightly tudg"1 10 nc an engagement
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

house and by his side were Howard. the
pilot, and Peter Williams. quartermaster,
who steered the vessel throughout the
engagement. My place was in the turret.
to work and fight the guns. and with me
were Stodder and Sinners and sixteen
brawny men, eight to each gun.
The Monitor was surrounded by wrecks
and disaster, and her efficiency in ac-
ton had yet to be proved.
Worden lost no time In bringing it to
test. Getting his ship under way, he
steered direct for the enemys vessels in
order to meet and engage them as far as
possible from the Minnesota. AS he ap-
preached the wooden vessels quickly turn
cd ard left. Our captain, 10 the aston
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

the floor Of the turret. should be in line
Worden took advantage of the lull, and
passed through the portfolio upon the
deck outside to get a better view of the
situation. He soon renewed the attack
and the contest continued as before.
Two important points were constantly
kept in mind: first, to prevent the enemy's
prOjectiles from entering the turret
of shell inside. by disabling the men at
the guns would have ended the fight, as
there was no relief gums crew on board
sec ond, not to fire into our own pilot
house -. A careless s's; or impatient hand,
whirligig motion of the tower, might let
slip one of our big shot against the pilot
house For this and other reasons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07
IN THE TURRET OF THE MONITOR.

ishment' of Capt. Van Brunt tas' he
states in his official report. made straight
for the Merrimac. which had ALREADY
commenced firing, and when he came
within short range he changed his course
so to come alongside of her. stopped
the engine and gave the order, Com
mence firing,
l triced up the port. ran out the gun
and taking deliberate aim, pulled the
lockstring. The Merrimac was quick to
reply, returning rafting broadside for
she had ten guns to our two), ana the
battle fairly began. The turrets and other
parts of the ship were heavily struck. but
the shots did not penetrate: the tower
was intact. and 1t continued to revolve.
look of confidence passed over the
mems faces and We believed the Merri-
mac would not repeat the work she had
accomplished the day before.
The fight continued with the exchange
of broadsides as fast as the guns could
be served and at very short range. the dis
lance between the vessels frequently be-
ing not more than a few yards. Worden
skillfully unanswered his quick-turning
vessel. trying to find some Vulnerable
point in his adversary. Once he made
dash at her stern, hoping to disable her
screw. Our shots ripped the iron OF
OF her shots against the tower caused
anything but a pleasant sensation While
Stodder, who was stationed at the ma
chine which controlled the revolving mo-
tlol VI tile thIIcls was SdutiouSis
ing against the side Of the tower, a large
shot struck in the vicinity and disabled
him. He left the turret and went below,
and Sinners, who had assisted him, con-
tinued to do the work.
X X
The drawbacks to the position Of the
pilot house We're soon realized. We could
not fire ahead nor within several points
of the bow. since the blast from own
guns would !njure the people in the pilot
house. only q few yards off. Keller and
Toffey passed the captains orders and
messages to me. and my inquiries and
answers to him, the speaking-tube from
the pilot house to the turret having been
broken early in the action. They per-
formed their work with zeal and alacrity,
but, both being landsmen, our technical
communications sometimes miscarfied.
The situation was novel: vessel of war
was engaged in desperate combat with a
powerful foe: the captain, commanding
and guiding, was inclosed in one place,
and the executive officer. working and
fighting the guns. was shut UP in another,
and communication between them was
difficult and uncertain.
AS the enga cement continued the work
ing of the turret was not altogether sat
isfactory. 1t was difficult to start it re-
or, when once started. to stop
Il, on account OF the imperfections OF the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

nothing would deter him from the en-
terprise. He arrived on the battle-ground
amid the disaster and gloom, almost de-
spair, of the Union people, who had lit
tie faith that he could beat back the
powerful Merrmac. after her experience
with the Cumberland and the Congress.
Without encouragement, single-handed
and without specific orders from any
source. he rose above the atmosphere OF
doubt and depression which surrounded
him and with unfiinching nerve and I'M
daunted courage he hurled his little UNI
tried vessel against his huge. well proved
antagonist and won the battle.
He was victor in the first ironclad bat
tie OF the worlds history.
Copyright. 1911. by the Century Company
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

the object of the Merrimac on the 9th of
March was to complete the destruction Of
the Union fleet in Hampton roads. and
that she was completely foiled and driven
off by the Monitor; nor has 1t been de-
the Merrimac retreated to Norfolk. leav-
ing the Monitor in possession of the field.
In this engagement Capt. Worden dis
played the highest qualities as an officer
and man. He was in his prime forty
four years ODD, and carried with him the
ripe experience of twenty Eight years in
the naval service. He joined the ship a
sick man, having but recently left a
prison in the south. Having accepted his
orders against the protests Of his phys!-
clans and the entreaties Of his family.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

II. keel OF the most
famous vessel Of
III % d ern times,
& apt. Ericsson $
first ironclad, was
laid in the ship
yard of Thomas F.
Rowland. at Green
point, Brooklyn, In
October, 1861. and
on the Both of jan
uary, 1867, the nov
81 craft was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07
A
ANCHORED G RI.AN ID.

which was leaking badly, had started in
the direction of the Elizabeth river; and.
on taking my station in the pilot house
and turning the vessels head in the
direction of the Merrmac, l saw that she
was already in retreat. A few shots
were fired at the retiring vessel. and she
continued on to Norfolk. / returned with
the Monitor to the side of the Mime
sofa. Shortly afterward Worden was
was carried to Washington.
The fight was over. We had gained
great victory. This the Confederates de-
MED. But 1t has never been denied that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

novel machinery. which was now under
going it's first trial. Sinners was an act
i've. muscular man, and did his utmost TO
control the motion Of the turret. but in
spite of his efforts 1t was difficult. If
not impossible. to secure accurate firing.
My only view of the world outside of the
tower was over the muzzles of the guns,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-07

the upper set of logs and the next below
The structure projected four feet above
the deck. and was barely large enough
inside to hold three men standing. 1t
presented a fiat surface on all sides and
on top. The steering wheel was secured
to one Of the logs on the front side.
Norden took his station in the pilot