The mirror., 1922-07-20

Bill" anywhere or anytime and be sure of
hearing something "good, ,"-as we refer to
something relshing-and to a reporter he
was rare treat indeed. He sought no
publicity, however, and was very modest.
He amassed comfortable fortune in the
milling business, and with his two sons
actively operated the large property, which
was highly efficient and modern in every
respect.
1t as not uncommon for me to find "Big
Bill" after applying at the luxurious mill
Offices, talking to some trucker out on the
mill platform discussing the latter's domes-
tic troubles, or, as on one occasion l was
directed to some cars at the extreme end of
the platform, where some loading was in
progress, l found "Big Bill" seated on a
sack of -four in one of the cars, and along
side of him, in tears, was one of his men
nursing a swollen and badly dscolored
eye. The man was so distracted from the
gibes and Kidding" at the hands of his
co-workers over the black eye received, it
developed from his "better' half the night
previous, that he was actually crying from
anger and humiliation. "Big Bill' laid
a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, say
ing: "Buck up, Old timer, I'll square you
with the old lady some time today. Don't
worry" Then rising he told the other
men, as only he can do, in strange COM
bination of severity and gentility, to re-
frain from further teasing. Immediately
he joined me, and when little distance
from the others, he slapped me on the back,
exclaiming: "What do you know about
that" and laughed heartily, in which
sincerely joined. After his laughter sub
sided, in his inimitable way, he said:
"You know George that was the best thing
ever happened to that man. We were
just about to discharge him. He is
heavy drinker and was becoming very
unreliable, but l see a way to keep him
now, and will have talk with his wife
today. Say! 1 wish you could see that
midget of a wife of his How she ever
hit him can't imagine. Ho! Ho! Ho"
And his big frame shook with added
mirth A few days later learned the
topper was on his good behavior, having
signed pledge in which was stipulated
his discharge if broken. The matter had
been arranged by "Big Bill" and the "pug-
ilistic" wife. This is only one of the
typical, and countless deeds "Big Bilp' has
to his credit. He looks after his employees
like a mother does her child. His purse
is open to the needy at all times, and he is
liberal subscriber to all worthy causes.
But he likes best to be in direct contact
with the needy, which he explained to me
in this wise: "When needed help, and
believe me l needed it often during the
stormy years, hesitated to ask any or
ganization, aside from later business trans
actions, but would prefer to 60 to some
one knew. There seems to me to be too
much of this 'holier-than-thou' attitude in
our charitable organizations, and a con-
sciousness of the applicants plight that is
very embarrassing and humiliating Tell
me if you can what man needs no assis-
tance now and then" To which, of
course, had no reply, aside from con-
curing remark.
In my amateurish way, believe the
picture is clear enough of "Big Bill" for
the reader, and in passing on the incident,
l might add, or rather reiterate, the big
ress of "Bilp in4every respect. Suffice it