The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-26

But when We came to know some one OF
these sphinxes better. we found that far from
being apart from humanity. he was on the
contrary most highly developed. and even
very sensitive expression OF It. His viii.
which appeared unsuitable. not a kind
of Interchangeable crushing fatalsm, but the eK.
preston OF a sincere and combative instinct
matured and broadened by reflection and car.
ried thus to the apogee OF the forces and the
foresight that he possessed. His tenacity was
not obstinacy. but the certainty OF having dis
covered the truth and the best use Of his pow.
ers
Finally this character which seemed to
admit no outside influence and 20 draw from
itsei all its guidance, showed itself sud
denly capable Of unexpected, impulsive acts
which we're described as "caprices" and ian
tastes" On looking at them more closely We
perceived that these fantasies" were also a
profound indication Of humanity. They were
not inspired like those OF most OF the mighty
ones Of the Old World by a boredom that moth
ing can any longer distract a boredom that
Is expressed In the words OF the scripture.
Vanity OF yanities all is vanity Very much
TO the contrary and very fortunately, these
kings OF the new world, formed In the mould
OF nature. remained, like her, full OF surprises
and OF ineNhaustible creation. And what We
call their "caprices" we're only new bursting
forth Of their strong and elemental nature. As
soon as one touched their mysterious EensL
biity merely for the space OF a lightning fash.
their decision was taken. new light flashed
over the impassiye look. the heart was opened.
and benevoence flowed forth.
Tho careers Of these lords OF gold we're
well calculated 20 dazzle us. Almost invariably
their fortune was founded by one stroke %
daring by a prodigious intuition for which no
education seemed 90 have prepared them. un-
less 20 we're the free and adventurous air which
they breathod from their childhood on the
soil Of their fascinating country. BE who In
France would become poet. in America would
become a man OF action.
What a surprising difference we find IN
general between the Ufa beginnings ~ Amer
can and European capltalists' Almost all or
them with us say That they started with prn-
denca and caution. Tho stories of their early
days are all designed 90 set I'm relief the vir.
tues of prudence and economy. An instance Is
that OF The famous Paris banker. Laffitte.
which ls often quoted al au example f0 The
young They say that whom ho was poor. ana
altogether unknown. Do went tO ask a modest
position with a wcl.kuowu banker Of that time.
lle WAS sent away without obtaining DO As no
vas walking through tho courtyard Oh tho
street. the head of the bank from hIs window.
saw him stoop and place piece or waste
paper On The receptacle provided for Tho pur-
pose. This action. which revealed habits ~ or
der and good taste. caused the banker t1 re.
fleet re recalled mo young man. questioned
him seriously. found that be- had interesting
ideas. and kept him ag au employee
Jacques Lafn'.n did not poeF's7 modest
qualities merely. ffa understood admirably
how 90 profit by the small position which Do
bad obtained. Uc introduced great changes in
financial methods and played rn important part
lu the French Revolution
Bot what contrast between these pa.
tient beginnings and those of American nnan.
cIers. who seem. with one stroke. i1 mag
nptizo fate' Even among business men 81
secondary importance I find tho same inten.
city Of impulse. he same selfcoutrol. the same