davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

MADE up my mind That's about all
there was to it. Many men become their
own bosses through force Of circum-
] stances. while / changed the course Of
my life through a systematically con-
Quoted campaign that led to my delivery
from a rut-away from the grind of hired
hand.
/ was tired Of shaving. I wanted to drive
awhile. / said " / can do it," and when /
had sale that L did not take 1t for granted. 1
set about TO prove IL. and having proved II, /
feel qualified to remark that any one Of in
telligence can become independent don't
mean independence from penurious stand
point so much as / do independence in move
ment and time.
One difference between being bossed and
boss is that boss is generally a fighter-not
of men but OF circumstances-while the
other isn't, and that's why man, willing to
be bossed will always remain a subordinate
in the ranks.
, / could have gone on and on, as long as my
than a mill hand. unless had taken the bit
in my teeth. Not until my teeth felt the
steel and had ground on it did realize how
much fight there was in me.
My father, who had fought the battle Of
life and come out OF il with victory and a
few scars. looked on with interest a L strug-
gled through the thicket along the way. To-
day he holds me for his own-a chip OF the old
bock-and the intense satisfaction there is
in knowing you have done something can
never be described in words or figures. 1t
must be felt to be understood.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
EsSM Among Men Who Work with Hand or Brein HN2x
Mill Hand Took Long Chance But Made Him the Boss the Works.

hustled away to find my father. He made
out his check and I had 1t certified at the
bank. Then l. went back to the lawyer.
Here's my proposition" said l. " win
buy out Maloney. I Will assume all indebt-
edness on the plant, sell you my services as
manager for $4,000 q year. and pay on the
creditors at the rate Of 10 per cent OF the
gross earnings with the understanding that
when that is done become sole owner"
After long pickering with other lawyers
and some of the leading creditors the offer
was accepted. agreements were signed by
all the parties. and went on my way re-
joicing.
At the end Of the first year had paid one
fourth Of the debts against the mill and to
my father 5000 and interest on his loan
1t took me less than five years to wipe out
every. obligation, but depend upon my word
for it, worked and schemed.
There are some who will say that 1t was
no credit to me that got into business for
myself. 1t is true that had it not been for
my father I would have had harder work to
raise the money with which to promote the
deal, but my father gave me full leeway and
ran the business as / thought best. never
overlooked a bet. The jobs that Maloney
was missing while he was seeking support
on some party ticket 1 got. and made the
most out of them. / built additions to the
plant, until now I have one of the finest
saw and planning mills in this section.
had help at the start, but none after that.
/ had to make good. / did. I set my jaws
and determined that it could be done. Had
1 not taken hold Of the opportunity might
still be In the mill, working for maybe as
much as S15 week for some manager APP
pointed by the creditors. or If had left the
mill no one knows what might have turned
my hand to- II was my one best bet, be-
cause l knew the sawmiIl business best. and
/ knew II well enough to run it at profit.
That's how 1 became my own boss. and
find the brain work no harder than the
physical effort I expended in my earlier
years, but the return and the satisfaction
make it worth while to take chance. be It
ever such long one
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Hard Grabbing Made Him Rich;
Laying Brick Starts Bank Book.
By HAROLD PARKS.
By HAROLD PARKS.

"A YOUNG fellow told me not long ago
~ a remarkable story Of ambition, per-
~ sistence. and willingness to endure in
Aorder to succeed. 1t interested me
because 1t was the story Of man from
the ranks of the toiler-a bricklayer. 1t
convinced me that a man can start from
brick laying to success quite as well as from
a position more exalted in the popular IDEA
Here is his story:
Before 1 was 20 years OF age had learned
the trade Of bricklayer. 1t seemed to me
a good, +pra ctical, honest, sinew building sort
OF calling. and, as l was strong and robust
and loved outdoor life, preferred something
Of that kind to either factory or office.
Father was worth considerable money
but he had gained it by hard grubbing and
he preferred that get mine in the same way.
Ever since was old enough to listen had
heard his story of how he had landed here a
poor immigrant, obtained employment of the
only sort available. and then worked long
and strenuously and scrimped and saved to
get together the first few hundred dollars to
go into an investment in rear estate. By re-
peating the process many. many times he had
reached success and independence II had al
ways been an inspiring story TO me and was,
/ think. mainly responsible for my first de-
sire to get start.
"B BY emulating his stories of frugal living
and abstinence from dissipation and useless
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

life saver for the creditors. But said the
lawyer. I'VE are just about to foreclose on
Maioney, and unless you have a legitimate
business proposition to offer by this time to-
morrow the mill will be In the hands Of the
sheriff and an auction sale will be adver-
tised"
This information put me on the trail of
Maloney. whom found. after long search.
in a saloon. MaIoney. I thought. always
liked me- and whep I approached him he
greeted me warmly.
hello, son." he said. "On today. Ell ?
Well. what's the diff? Let 'em go to seed
II took me quite while to breach the sub
ject to Mal0ney, but Maloney himself opened
the way.
Say" said Maloney. getting closer. do
you know where can scrape up $4,000 in
ready cash?'
I appeared to think for minute. then an
swered:
Sure" said l. II know where you can
raise more than that II you want It."
Maloney's eyes opened wide.
Where?' he asked excitedly.
From me-" responded Its this way.
Mr.. Maloney. I'd like to buy you out-that
is, II the mill il for sale"
This put momentary damper on Maloney's
enthusiasm. but he growled his answer:
well. how much will you give me?'
What's your igure?' I asked
THAT depends on WHO'S buying" said Ma
loney. ITO some it's $4,000 fiat and no Dis
count. To you its-well-to you it's s35, CO.,
He looked at me as though he expected me
to fall in heap.
Make 1t $4,000 and the deal is closed"
said L Make it 10000 and the money will
be in your hands by night"
MaIoney braced up and looked me over.
Say, young fellow. is this for you or for
your dad?' Maloney asked.
In Boss Position.
4" It's for me. My dad IL out of IT. an
swered.
Done" said Maloney, and we shook
hands.
1 was brmful OF enthusiasm then. and
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Proposition to Maloney.
Getting Something for Nothing;
How Schemer Fooled Wise Ones.
By VIM. BOTHO MAYER.

greedily did 1t was like taking candy from
a baby. Load after load was taken away,
until there was not bit left only gravel.
1t was then that the schemer threw aside
the fools mask which the populace had put
on him and showed his hand.
He had gotten rid OF the sand hich would
have cost him at the least calculation $500
to remove, even II he could have sold it for
a small sum, for it was difficult to find a
convenient market, and before him lay the
glistening gravel which he had been trying
to get at. Now he is taking enormous con-
tracts for furnishing gravel and the wise -
town is kicking itself for it's oversupply Of
wisdom.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

ElNNINGHAM was a young fellow
clerklng in a neighborhood notion
NV store earning a salary of S13 a
II week, and indiferently satisfied
with himself and his job. His boss
was an elderly German. shrewd enough to
perceive good thing when It was pointed
out to him, but possessing little ability to OBJ
serve for himself
The store paid the owner q moderate living.
The front windows were loaded with a mis-
celLaneous assortmentof a thousand and one
articles, ranging in variety from needles to
sun bonnets.
Inside the store the same miscellaneous
assortment Of everything was TO be observed.
You could never locate just what you came
after and sometimes the old German and his
clerk couldn't. either.
Winningham was content to follow along
in his boss methods until one day he got to
thinking Here was Schreiber's store. sit
uated in a thickly populated neighborbood.
on a street where hundreds Of people passed
daily Yet he didn't sell much. People never
stopped to look at the windows. Needles and
things like that didn't make an interesting
display.
The next time the salesman for the firm
selling novelties dropped In, more out OF
habit than in hopes Of selling much Of an
order, Winningham drew him over to one
side and questioned him.
The salesman began an enthusiastic dis
course over the matter OF window display
for his goods. The talk convinced Winning
ham, and he told the salesman he'd try to
interest Schneider.
Schneider was for letting we'll enough alone
but Winningham was inspired by the thought
Of breaking into the monotonous routine.
The salesman sent down few cards, with a
complete set Of directions and an attractive
window trim.
Winningham took a number Of articles out
Of stock and set to work one night. BY IL
o'clock he had cleared the window and had re-
placed the collection Of miscellaneous stuff
with a simple but effective display of the
novelties. He went home content.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

Patrick Maloney-and q good business man
he was. too. Had he kept out Of politics
paid more attention to his sawmill. and not
SO much to the disposition OF petty offices
he could have comfortably feathered his nest.
That was his trouble He liked notoriety and
a fight, both of which he got In large quantd-
ties, for Maloney was not popular for the
same reason that he failed to make his saw
mill pay. He was a perpetual office seeker.
In the meantime, I was grubbing along on
IS a week. which grew into $40 and finally So.
which was the princely proportions OF my
salary when cast my first vote. was pay
ing little board at home. and helping bit
on the bills. In return. was getting my
three meals a day, eight hours sleep, and
what harmless recreation my nature de-
quired. So 1 grew fat and was satisfied to
live and let live.
But that was not my fathers way. He
had always been a fighter and a plugger
toward the top. By the time was 25 father
had struck oil and was amassng a small
sized fortune. all Of which made 1t easier for
me and less imperative that think Of some
one else beside myself. Nevertheless. I think
1 was sensible about it, and having started
a bank account took delight in watching 1t
grow. So kept on working In the sawmill.
taking my S12 weekly from Maloney.
My father guessed right when he guessed
I wasn't worrying about my future. To
the best of his knowledge and belief should
worry, but / didn't. So he began drilling
into me the need of ambition to get ahead
to amount TO something more than a mill
hand.
Once thought he might be little ashamed
of his sons record. but down deep in my heart
/ knew better than that, for my father
among other things. was broadminded. He
would never have reproved me so long as
had my hands employed at honest toll. New
ertheless. he was ambitious for me- and many
a winter evening he spent in planting within
me the seed OF dissatisfaction; pictured the
tediousness and dim luster of the life was
leading. until actually. began to hate Ma
loney and all his works.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

first payment on the property. What will
you hold your interest att"
81 won't sell for cent under $4,000"
answered Maloney. the fight showing in his
eyes.
The sum staggered the lawyers. for they
looked incredibly at each other.
You can't invoice this place at more than
half that amount" said the spokesman.
That's my proposition" answered Ma
honey.
The interview practically ended there and
my brain started buzzing.
/ said nothing that day nor for two or three
days after that but at the first opportunity.
when my father resumed his success talks
to me, / told him what had transpired at the
MILL
80 Too bad" said my father. but It's Ma
loney's own fault. He'll be closed up, thats
all. He won't sefi for less than $4,000, IL
that is the price he has fixed. and I'm sure
the creditors will never agree to ten year
drain"
Il think Maloney will sell for less than
$4,000" said I. edging around TO the propo-
siton I was about to make. but not to a
bunch Of creditors. He knows the mill isn't
worth more than $4,000 at the most, but he
is holding out as long as he can
My father saw that there was something
pressing on my mind.
Well?' he queried.
Il would like 10 offer Maloney $50 600 out
right for the MILL / said II would like 10
assume the Indebtedness OF the plant and sell
my services to the creditors for $40. 900 year
as manager. agreeing to take up all claims
against the mill at the rate Of 10 per cent of
the gross earnings"
And then" my father continued.
Then / will have an agreement whereby
at the expiration OF all Indebtedness I Will
become sole owner"
That would mean" said my father. knit
ting his brows. that you would have to in
least % per cent In order to meet the demands
OF the creditors within ten years and get
your own salary out Of it and the expenses
of operation"
That's it, I guess" answered But
can do II. I have line on a 500 job that
! can have il l get control Of the mill. There
are plenty other jobs that Maloney has
missed. but 1 can get them. am sure can
pay off all claims inside of five years"
Proposition to Ma1oney.
The result Of my talk with my father was
that I was authorized to see the lawyers and
ind out the true condition of the mill. This
did.
There are outstanding claims amounting
to about s130'o," said the lawyer after had
presented my credentials as a prospective
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Letting People Know Was Idea
That Made Little Store Big.
By WILLIAM H. SCHAEFFER.

Mr.. Schneider was heard more than once
and at last had his interest aroused.
A few days later the other window bios
somed out. More and more people stopped
to gaze upon the change in the familiar In
Schriber's windows.
Statesmen noticing Schr eiber's remarkable
progress window display. were not slow
in offering additional suggestions
" Put our line in the window for a week
and do some advertising to tell folks about
it, was one offer.
Winningham prevailed upon Schneider to do
this. Sales mounted. People We're surprised
to learn what they could buy SO close to home.
The next move was suggested by sales
man who offered an inside display.
Your windows look fine. MIR. Schneider
he said. but when you get inside the store
:ts hard to tell all you've got to sell. Let
us send up showcase for this counter. You
can put our goods in it and people will be
forced to notice them.
Schneider was reluctant to change the in
terror, but the insistence Of Winnfngham and
the salesman won out The new case was
installed and sales of this article increased.
Taken Into the Firm.
Spurred on by his own ideas and by sales
mems suggestions Winningham gradually
transformed the interior. Window displays
were shifted. Bargains were announced now
and then
Business continued to grow. Another clerk
was added and then another. The little store
could hardly hold Its stock. When the store
adjoining became vacant and the agent pro-
posed renting 1t to Schneider and cutting out
the wall acceptance Of the proposal was
almost involuntary
Winningham found most Of his time con-
sumed in store arrangement He tried to
avoid sighting custom0ks by working nights.
Old Schneider was observant. however. One
day he called Winningham over.
Winningham. 1t has been you what hat
made my business grow. / am an old man,
too old for dis newness What do you say
10 me Citing you half interest in it and you
to pay me from what We makes? You will
spend your time not in Waiting on customers
so much, bud in improving the store"
Winningham naturally took UP the prop
osition with eagerness. The firm name
changed to Schneider e. Winningham. Given
full sway, the store was still further trans
formed under Winninghams guidance. To-
day II is a big neighborhood department store
and while Schneider still lives he has re-
linquished its entire management to Win
ningham.
One idea is frequently the foundation Of
business success. 1t was Winningham's SAL
walton. Let people know and see what you
have for sale.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Crisis in Maloney's Affairs.

From that time on / was thoroughly dis
contented. made up my mind to do some
thing that would bring me independence. i
would be my own boss, but how II was to be
done was a matter that kept me awake nights
and had me passing my friends on the street
unnoticed.
One day | felt that something was wrong
at the mill. Maloney looked worried and
worn. My bench was located near the door
that opened into his little office 50 that 1t as
almost impossible for me not to eewhat was
going on inside the sanctum. Every few min
utes Maloney would pull out his watch and
tumble it nervously. l kept my eyes and ears
open then. because. will admit. was just
a wee bit curious
1t had not occurred to me that what was
about to take place was to be my stepping
stone. / had an idea that l would soon be
leaving the mill. but having spent about ten
years there. l was naturally interested in
how the institution progressed.
While Maloney was pacing up and down his
office, blind to the fact that was watching
him as closely as though l were standing in
the doorway the door leading Into the street
opened and three men entered. They looked
like professional men, and so they proved to
be-lawyers. They struck out at once into
the business at hand. not even taking the
precaution Of closing the door and shutting
of my view. for which was glad. and more
than glad. considering the Developments that
soon followed.
Another fortunate thing happened at just
that time. One Of the pulley wheels broke
so that it was necessary TO shut off the power
until 1t could be repaired.
Now. Maloney." said one OF the lawyers
after a discussion had been going on for sew
eral minutes. Our proposition. and the only
proposition we can make that will get you
square. is this: We will form a stock COM
pany. composed of the creditors of the mill
buy out your interest at the rate Of 81, 600
a year, and lay aside 10 per cent of the gross
earnings with which to dissipate the in
debtedness."
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Hole Looked Like Panama Canal


1t certainly was slow work and more than
once 1 was almost ready to admit that had
bitten OF more than 1 could masticate
In little over two months, however. the
excavation was complete 1t wasn't an ex
ceptionally large basement, of course. but
after l had wheeled away the last barrow
load of loose earth and came back to let nv
eyes feast on the finished job il looked as
large as the Panama canal to me. and no
seasoned engineer ever felt prouder of his
accomplishments.
simply couldn't quit now. The one ia SIX,
wearisome as 1t had been in the doing, when
once completed furnished enough inspira ton
to carry me over host Of future difficulties
After hiring an acquaintance who was
a cement worker to help me build the founda-
ton wall proceeded to buy a few loads Of
brick and start building my own house a
brick at Z time.
of course the building wasn't finished
the first year. and when winter came on
was forced to stop work with the walls for
the second story just starting skyward.
BY the next year 1 had enough money
ahead to finish the outside Of the building.
and 1t was easy after that to borrow more
to finish the interior. Soon I was landlord
proudly affixing my signature to leases.
Rentals combined with savings soon got
me out of debt entirely and owned my first
improved property free of incImbrarce.
That was but the beginning however. A
sudden rise In values enabled me to make
quick turn and double my money. Invest
ments In other vacant followed, more build
ings and more profits. Today I'm worth"
\ shrug Of the shoulders Indicated almost
any fancy figure your imagination might
choose to use in filing the blank.
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
He Dabbled in Politics.

When l was boy of 10 years l went 10
work in a sawmill. Father thought that
would 90 me about as much good as my
schooling was doing. and besides. father at
that time had not yet struck his Stride so
TO speak. the result being that my IS a week
was a welcome addition to the family's in
come. From the beginning. a certain small
share of It was laid aside for me. while the
rest went to help pacify the butcher. the
baker, and the candlestick maker
The name Of the mills owner was Maloney
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
People Pause to Look.

Next day passersby, who had been wont to
let their eyes glance hurriedly over the
familiar collection Of merchandise in the
window without seeing anything in particu-
lar. stopped and scrutinized the display with
interest The unusual attracted their atten-
ton. A number entered and asked for the
articles displayed. Those who were neigh
borly with Schneider commented on the
change in appearance in his window.
why, didn't know you sold these things,
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
Products of Inventors Genius.

Detachable heels for shoes which can be
replaced with fresh ones without the use of
tools when worn. have been patented.
Rhodesia is distilling alcohol from corn
stalks and using II for fuel in automobiles
and other internal combustion motors
life preserver invented by a Maryland
man is featured by pneumatic belt which
can be inflated quickly in time of emergency.
A glass bottle blowing machine invented
In Germany has speed Of 1900 bottles an
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

hour, equal to the work of $50 expert glass
blowers.
new library table is equipped with four
or more electric sockets for supply current
to lamps. cooking utensils, and other appa-
ratus
new French three handed watch tells
both twelve hour and twenty-four hour time,
one hour hand being used for each kind on
Gees for both
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
The FIGHTING BLOOD!
by C.PMCDOnQld.

Into the mastom Of Rosy Thoughts and into the Valley
He entered youth with happy heart follow s rainbow eans
Ever and he looked ahead toward the glare the reckoning heights
Toins and mons through days Of hope far the fatomes ns
Alert to the that thrive the hearts
Crushed the earth by the iron hand fate he would again.
Bruised by adversely soadd by chance each day he would smy
For the blood his the blood that
The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

Courage his he carved his path his men,
Stemm through each turbulent that closed but
Shoulder shoulder with mutabe luck jeer
He carried his with patience born Of failure throughout the years:
Building his castles seeing them fall he buded smiled
Sounding the depths his pluck he knew with faith he reconcd
Some aIinnte would blind his
For the blood his the blood that fearless