Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-03-16
Railroad Presidents Regret

6nClre system or transportation III the
interests of the Union, was alone suffi'
cient to earn him a safe and promi'
nent place in history. And there ara
many persons who are of the opinion
to this day that it was President
SCOTS genius that gave the Pennsyi
vania railroad the great prestige II
enjoys the world over.
In the last year Of Colonel SCOTS
life, which ended in 1881, he met one
day in Philadelphia an old friend who
was not a resident Of that city, man
of the name of Snedeker. Colonel
Scott was most cordial in his greet
ing.
John" he said, 81 can't tell you
how glad I am to see you. | want you
to come and take luncheon with me
today. I am pretty busy, but l can
spare an hour and a half for the sake
of a talk with you about old times.
Will you Gomez" And Colonel Scott
named the club in which he would en-
terrain his old friend.
They met at one o'clock, and hav.
ing taken a seat at a table in the
restaurant, Colonel Scott said: John,
order anything you please. I have to
be careful about what l eat, and l
can't eat much, anyway. So | am go
ing to leave it to you to give your
order"
Mr.. Snedeker, after studying the
bill-of-fare, gave 1t as us opinion that
he would start off with o, cup Of bouil-
lon, and then see what he could do to
porterhouse steak, with French fried
potatoes; and he spoke further of va
rious side dishes, ending by saying
that he would name the dessert lit
tie later.
That's an order which does me
credit" declared Colonel Scott. Il am
proud to give it. But as for myself l
shall have to be satisfied with little
toast and a cup of English breakfast
tea That is all I dare eat for lun-
cheon, and that is about all l have
for breakfast. I suppose you have a
good breakfast"
you think this a hearty luncheon,
don't you, Tom?" chuckled Snedeker.
well, you should see my breakfast"
For a moment Colonel Scott looked
with an expression partly of admtra-
ton and partly of regret at his friend
and then he said:
John, would give million dollars
If had your stomach and digestive or
gans."
Tom" replied John, you have built
up great railroad. You are building
another one down in Texas. You made
at Washington You are a famous
man. And they tell me you have
fortune of five million dollars. l have
accumulated about two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. All l have got
Is probably not equal to your income
for one year
But what have your fame and your
fortune cost you? They have cost you
your stomach and your digestive or.
gans. I have got my little fortune,
and it is enough to keep me comfort
able, and I have got perfect physical
health. l can eat anything, and !
sleep like a schoolboy. You have got
and you deserve 1t all I have no
fame-only little money-but 1 can
eat beefsteak smothered with onions,
and never think Of it after l have
swallowed it. Which of us is the bet
ter Off"
You" said the great railroad presi-
dent, YEARLY. And, John, if I had 1t
to do over again l would do just as
you have done. 1 would let wealth
and fame hang and keep my stomach"
few months later Thomas A.
Scott, who built up one of the worlds
great railroads, and showed the gov
eminent how to transport its troops
and supplies expeditiously during the
civil war, lay dead at the comparative.
ly early age Of fifty-seven years
Copyright 1910 by E J. Edwards1
Rights Reserved.l