Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-04-07
KICKED TO SUCCESS.
So says Brookiin Boy, Recalling
His Early Cow-hide Boots.

His Early Cow-hide Boots.
A Hancock county boy who has ''msde
eoodn, to use the expressive term Of the
day, Ia L. L. Freethy, q native OF Brook
lin, who has recently established large
lumber plant at Lawrence, Mass.
Mr.. Freethy entered the employ OF the
Lawrence Lumber TO. at the age OF seven
teen years, going from there to another
large firm in the same city, OF which for the
past twelve years he has been superinten-
dent. Thus he knows the business from
bottom to top; in fact, going back to his
boy hood days, he may be said toknow the
business from the stump to the finished
product.
Mr.. Freethy was product OF one OF the
oldest families OF Brooklin, great grand
son OF Joseph Freethy. the only revolu-
tionary veteran buried in that town. His
only inheritance, as he puts it, was = good
name and fighting blood. He says hefhas
found plenty OF need for the fighting
blood even in peaceful occupations, for
the whole scheme OF life is fight from start
to finish.
MIR. Freethy attributes no small part OF
his success to the "kick' he felt when, in
periods OF encouragement, he recalled an
old pair OF COW hide boots Of his boy
hood. With the idea that his own expert
ence may prove an inspiration to some
other Hancock county boy OF to-day, Mr..
Freethy has sent q brief story OF his life
- -rxxx
my father died when was seven years
Of age, and my earliest recoIlections were
hardships and fight for existence. My
introduction to the wood and timber in
dustry vas at the tender age OF eight.
Scantily clothed, in the dead OF winter,
my brother (four years older and myself
dug yindfalls out OF the deep snow, cut
them up on the spot and haaled them
home on q handsled to keep, us warm.
This was no Sport, done every day in the
bitter cold and storms OF forty years
ago.
"My experiences have been many and
varied, but the pictures OF the first few
years OF my life after my fathers death,
stand out clearer in my mind than any OF
the succeeding years. / mention these
facts more as an incentive for some poor
chap that may think the hardships OF life
are almost too much to bear; that in all
the world there is no place for him. BY
just such hardships and bitter experiences
are born the wili ana liberalization that
break down all barriers, thrust aside all
obstacles, aud lead men to success
81 think ofthe picture frequently recall
OF pair Of old boots wore one winter
when little lad. They were about three
sizes too large, with gaping hole in each
toe. like the mouth OF scuipin, so that
when the snow came over the tops could
shake 1t out at the bottom. The recoIiec-
ton ofthese boots has helped me over more
hard spots when have been discouraged
and down hearted than anything might
bring to mind, for / Immediately feel
the kick in that old boot, and 1t keeps
me going and has kept me going for years.
"What little success has come to me has
been by hard work and q determination
to better my condition. Any boy who
has determination and never loses sight
Of his object 10 bound to succeed.
There is nothing that can stop him.
There are as many opportunities to-
day ~ there ever were; in fact, am in
clined to think that there are more, and
will be still more in the future. The
great war in Europe will necessarily bring
about great changes in the business world,
and opportunities will be born every
mi ra a.
boys to grasp the opportunities when
they come.
II think the State Of Maine has Q great
future, and the opportunities that will
arise in her development will be varied
and OF vast number. A. time goes on
there will be greater inducements for the
boys to stay 1t home than In the past,
and when the time comes that the brain
and Drawn that have been sent out broad
cast over the country from our State
minds that have figured in so large q
measure to bring the wealth and success
to other commonwealths of our country.
and indeed OF the world-when the time
comes and ths-tide turns, when the won-
derful resources Of the State are better
known and realized, and the brains and
energy that have been so lavishly expended
elsew here are kept at home-then indeed
will the dear old State come into her own.
and become one OF the greatest educa-
tional, agricultural, manufacturing and
recreation states in the Union.
ut will come, and our boys are the ones
who will bring it.
although resident OF another state,
there is still warm spot in my heart for
the grand old State of Maine, and the
scenes OF my childhood"
aobfrtii