The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-10
An Unconscious
Slave
BY ELIZABETH WEED
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

G William Remington left the farm
when he was seventeen years old and
went TO the city. He had but one idea
s--to get rich, go back to the country
eand give his old father and mother ev-
cry comfort
3 Remington was natural hustler, q
man of remarkable concentration. For
ethe first few years of his business life
it was work. work, work. and save,
save. save He wrote regularly to his
parents Occasionally he would ask
them If they needed little money.
THE reply was that they were doing
well enough; he was not to worry
about them, but get himself estab-
lished. He would then write back
that he was straining every nerve, saw
ing every cent, to get together some
capital. As soon as he could use capt.
tai himself he could help them much
better than now.
They wrote him every summer to
make them a visit, but he replied that
he never took a vacation; be was too
busy. But he was forging ahead. be-
ing promoted rapidly. One day he re-
ceived letter from his mother ask
ing IL there was anything the matter
with him-they had not heard from
him for two months. Remington was
astonished He had not written for
two months. He had been so busy
that he had forgotten to write. He
wrote at once, and very penitently. ex-
planning that all bis time was required
to open a new field in the business and
1t had absorbed ell his attention. He
promised that it should not occur
again.
When Remington was twenty-five he
had succeeded on two lines He had
saved money and made himself valu-
able. He was worth more than his
money. The concern he was with Of
fered to pay him each year five times
the amount of his savings. He ac-
cepted and remained with it
Remington sent his parents remit
tances from this time forward. But
he never went to see them. He was
too busy, At first he mailed the checks
himself with an affectionate letter. but
finally, having turned over his private
matters to his clerk. they, were al
ways mailed by him on the first of the
month with no letter at all
The members of the firm were dy-
ing of. and Remington after awhile
became managing partner. He was
now so busy that he had no time what
ever to write to his parents and never
did so. But his clerk sent the remit
tances regularly. One day man ask.
ed him something about his mother.
He looked at the questioner. dazed.
For an instant he did not seem quite
sure be had mother. The next mo-
ment a panied expression passed over
his face. But three men were waiting
to ask instructions on some point per-
tanning to the business, and his atten-
ton was diverted.
Remington would not permit any
one except himself to decide any CUES.
ton Of great or small Importance. It
was not long before the other part
ners-they were now al juniors-dis-
covered that his health was breaking
down under the strain OF too much
work.
What's the matter with himY ask.
ed one Of them of doctor.
Hes a slave to detail. same as
some one to liquor or drugs"
They demonstrated with the man
aging partner, but he would not listen
to them. Something must be done.
One Sunday morning in early spring
when Remington couldn't very well go
to business one of his junior partners
prevailed upon him to kill time till he
by going for sail on yacht.
Remington did not get off that yacht
for six weeks. He had been kid
naped. He swore, he fumed. he
all to no purpose. The
yacht was headed for the island of |
and he couldn't get ashore.
Finally he gave himself up to the |
pleasant. lazy surroundings. and the |
nervous Juror that had been driving |
him on began to wear off when he |
reached Madeira and went into its |
tropical gardens filed with perfume
exhaling plants. There he luxuriated |
In sort of convalescence. He was
ready to listen to reason. He signed |
a bond with 100000 forfeit. agreeing
10 divide the business into depart
ments. appointing manager for each
and solemnly pledging his word of
honor not to interfere with any man
ager in any particular.
After a week spent visiting the diff
ferent parts of the island the party
to America.
There was nothing to do in arrang-
Ing the business in accordance with
the new plan. for 1t was so arranged
already. What was necessary was
FOR Remington to leave each depart
nent TO it's manager. Therefore on
his return. finding the business going
1n just as well as it had been under
MS personal supervision. he started to
yisit bis father and mother
He found two old people who did
Tot recognize him when he entered
Ior did be recognize them. His
mother was very feeble. Remington
,ut his arms about her and said:
Mother. I'm VIII. I've come back
o take you to the city and give you
very comfort-a fine house. horses
nd oorrtooac OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES