The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-04-10
trict school, which is yet standing
near OswepO N " and which has

near Oswego, N. Y, and which has
been made famous by it's distinguish
| ed pupil. Everyone knows the story
of the millionaire's youthful determi
nation, and the way in which it was
exhibited at school. The children al
ways gathered at noontime and at
recess to play games and in deciding
what the game should be, Johnnie
Rockefeller had usually strong
voice. If the others would not agree
to play this game, he would not play
at all, but stood by and watched the
others with an air of offended dignity.
This story is typical, in way. of Mr..
Rockefeller's after life Those who
have been associated with him in
business know that he is accustomed
to being the head, and that unless he
leads in any matter he declines to
take any part whatever. Thus is the
hoy father to the man.
At school Mr.. Rockefeller is said
to have been known to his chums as
Rocky" and when questioned him
OH the subject he admitted that he
rather enjoyed the nickname. 1T
made me feel like one of Them" he
said, "and even now when l hear it
feel like boy at school once more"
Mr.. Rockefeller's school life was
much like that of any other country
boy of the time, and it was upon his
removal to Cleveland that his life be-
came really interesting. His parents
were still poor-so poor that the boy
had to work to contribute to the fam
ilys support. He entered the firm
of Hewitt & futile as an office boy,
and in the beginning he received be-
tween 50 and SO week for his work.
These days were full of experience
for the young man, who was by this
time filled with ambition to make a
place for himself in the world. He
began work with determination to
succeed, and he says now that this
removal to Cleveland was one of the
best things which could have hap
pened him. ut gave me new in
sight into. things, and ! saw what a
great place the world is, and how
many people are struggling in it for
a living"
Lived Economical.
In these Woodworking days Mr..
was training himself for
bis career which was to come. He
kept small ledger in which he en-
tered all his receipts and his expendi-
lures, and at his home had the priv
ilege of looking at this remarkable
book, and of having its entries ex-
planned to me. 1t was in truth moth
ing more than small, paper backed
book.
when l looked at it the other day
thought l had lost the cover sale
MIR. Rockefeller, "but on examination
| perceived that l had utilized the
cover to write on. In those days
| was very economical, even with
paper. l hadn't seen this book for a
long, long time when | found it the
other day among some old things.
And l supposed that it had been lost.
1t is more than AZ years since wrote
" hat it contains. l called it ledger
A, and l wouldn't exchange 1t now
for all the ledgers in New York and
their contents. A glance through it
shows me how careful l was about
my receipts and disbursements. Each
one was entered carefully, and I'm
very much afraid that there aren't
many young men who. take the trou
bic to keep an account like this to-
lay.
every young man should take care
ni his money. 1t is religious duty,
think, for one to get all the money
he can. I have followed this .prin-
ciple all my life, as is eviden ce5 in
this little book. 1t tells me CXG CI.v
what I did with my money duril 3 my,
first. few years in business.
Advanced to $25 Month.
ut shows that between Septembe :
1855, and January, 1856, l receivel
Just $50. Out of this sum l paid for,
my washing and my board, and man
aged to save little money to put
away l find in looking through the
book that gave cent to Sunday
school every Sunday 1t wasn't much,
but this was all could afford to give
to this particular object. l was CIV
ing to several other religious causes
at the same time, and what l could
afford to give gave regularly, and
this has been lifelong habit OF
mine.
"The next year after this earned
S25 month. l was beginning to be
2 capitalist, and ! suppose l ought to