Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-02-09
From the
Ground Up
By JESSIE E. SHERWIN

He was good deal of hero, al.
though he was too modest to realize 1t.
As the nephew of John Marchmont,
the iron king, a certain prestige and
prominence was awarded him, but with
his close friends Arnold Sherman
frankly stated that he was in no way
an heir apparent to his uncle's mil
lions, not even a protege.
"Mr. Marchmont has large family
Of his own, most Of them girls" he ex-
planned. "The boys are all young and
because inherit from my father a
certain liking for construction, Mr..
Marchmont generously offered to put
me through college. provided would
qualify as structural engineer. Then
! shall go to work in some one of his
big foundries, I suppose, earning my
living by hard, practical work.
BY a very close margin Arnold Shsr-
man graduated creditably, for the
reason that the last month Of the col
lege term he had worked double day
times and stayed awake half the nights
to aid young fellow named Pierce
Arden, to whom he had taken a great
liking. For a month after the term
was over Arnold lay Frustrated from
his arduous efforts, but he had CRATE
full and faithful nurse. Young Arden
postponed accepting a lucrative posi-
ton until his friend was fully on his
feet again.
"I'd nurse you the remainder Of my
life If 1t was necessary" he declared.
Never was there friend like you !!
I owe you everything. wish had
saved to show you the letter my sister
Genevieve wrote me when / told her
that you had risked your own chances
and your health to help me get my
diploma. That is her picture" and Ar
den extended photograph. "She Is
smiling there, but she was crying when
she wrote about my noble, self-sacri-
ficing friend, for the letter was stain
ed with tears. ! shall not be back
home permanently until toward the
end Of the year. Then you've got to
come and see the folks. They'll greet
you with open arms, I tell you!''
Arnold smiled and whimsically woa-
dered IL Arden included also the open
arms Of the lovely girlish original Of
the picture. Two hours later he sat
down and wrote long letter to his
uncle. In 1t he told John Marchmont
that he would not report at the mills
for some months to come.
II remember" a part of the letter
ran, that you once told me that the
really successful man n your line of
business was the one who, aside from
his office and technical ability, had
been through the practical end of 1t.
wish to prepare myself in this way.
! have large iron works similar to
your own In view, intend to enter its
services under an assumed name, hope
to CLEAN at least fair surface k-owl-
edge of the details Of the different me-
chanical departments and come to you
something better than theoretical
engineer" VS.
The plant Arnold had selected for
his initial training was located at
distance in section where he was not
likely to be identified. He added to
his neat usual stock Of clothing various
suits adapted to rough shop work and
he smiled to himself as he glanced
down at his white, smooth hands. A
few weeks would do considerable in
hardening and Transforming them. He
settled down where the mills were To-
Gated and was apportioned to a task as
helper Of forge man.
There was transfer to the casting
room a week later and then to the
shipping department. All this was the
kind of education Arnold desired, to
know just how things were done, and
evenings he would recall the various
processes he had studied and figure
out estimates Of weight, tensile power,
chemical attributes and waste and
cost.
One evening Arnold had taken q
strell beyond the limits OF the town
and was returning along lonely road
when he came upon q stalled automo-
bile containing two ladies. He recog-
nized at once that they were in
trouble and went over to the machine
and suggested that he might be Of
some assistance. He soon restored the
auto to working condition and the ell
der, fearsome and timid, asked him to
drive them into the town. When he
control Of the wheel and
alighted, the spot light crossed his
face. He fancied that he caught the
echo Of sharp ejaculation on the part
Of the young lady. Then passing ma
chine flooded her own face with the
radiance of Its headlight and he knew
her at once-the original of the photo
graph Pierce Arden had shown-the
sister, Genevieve.
Several times during month he
passed her In the automobile. She al
ways smiled and bowed and one after
noon halted the car at the curb. She
was consciously flushed and embar-
raised as Arnold approached.
MY mother is anxious to see you,
Mr.. Sherman" she said.
"You-you know my namep' ex-
claimed Arnold, coloring up.
my brothers fiend-oh, yes!" re-
piled Miss Arden. HE sent us your
photograph.
There were mutual explanations and
that was the beginning of perfect
understanding. A month later John ;,
Marchmont sent word for his nephew
% prepare to take charge Of large
of his plant. Then young
Arden came home and Arnold Sherman
vas indeed greeted with open arms
and an open heart on the part of Gen
,vieye when he confessed his love for
her.