The Dawson news., 1925-10-20
A True Story.
Bv Ms. Iohn King. Charlotte. N. {.


/ III one OF the northeastern states lived a
family composed of three members-husband,
wife and son Joe.
The father was not blessed with the luxu-
ries we now possess but was so handicapped
financially that he was forced to live content
in little humble shack far in the woods.
! Joe was an ambitious lad ten years OF
age, but on account of the prevailing poverty
he had few opportunities, but often wished
Tor home in the city where he could grasp
advantages unfamiliar to him in his plain
cottage home.
As time passed on the father saw that the
boy had absolutely no future in the present
environment, and consented for him to go
alone to New York city to hustle for him
self
The mother, a proud mother, wanted to
present gift of her own making to her son
before his departure, and despite conflicts she
toed day and night spinning thread and
weaving it into good, substantial cloth with
which to make a nice fitting suit for her only
son, for in those days only the wealthlest
people wore tailored suits.
The day the young boy said farewell to
father and mother he was rejoicing over his
new adventure, his homespun suit OF clothes
and the leather shoes his father had made for
him.
Upon reaching the city he called at one Of
New York's largest department stores and
inquired for the manager When the manager
appeared he asked if he needed help of any
kind that was honest work, if so he wanted
TO hire. The dignifed, city-bred man said
nothing at first, but looked him over from
head to foot and eventually exclaimed:
Where did you get those glad rags you
have on?" The boy said nothing, but he felt
all his ambition fade away, and within him
there sprang up deep emotion. The mana
1C.,f ,anI how
like you"
AS the boy turned to leave he thought OF
his godly mother at home who had toiled
so many tiresome hours to make his clothes
presentable, and of his father who had la
bored with unceasing care to make his leath
er shoes and to give him start in lite. He
knew they would be heart-broken If they
knew of the occurrence
And so, heartsick with disappointment, he
sat down on the curb to cry. The scenes OF
his poor but pleasant country home appear
ed to him. and the contrast momentarily
brought great resentment into his soul. But
a new thought occurred Nothing is to be
gained by weakly surrendering to difficulties
Keep on trying and never give up. With this
thought in mind he rose to his feet with a
new light, new courage and ambition and
strength to go forth into the world as a mere
boy alone without friends or money, but
with determination to meet the world as ii
presented itself to him and make the best OF
everything. But before moving on he made
a resolution to the effect that he would en-
deavor to encourage every one with whom
he came in contact if that person were do
ing his best With this object in view he
walked away.
The years have passed by. 1t is half cen
tury later. This same little boy is quite an
aged man now. Years Of toll and application
TO duty have prosDered him He is captain |
of finance-the president of more than al
hundred banking institutions in the east, and
is loved and respected by the worlds best.
A few years ago in one of the best church
es in his state he was lecturing to a crowd
ed audience. At the close Of his address he
proved true to his childhood resolution when
passing the pianist who furnished music for
the occasion he stopped down and tenderly
in her ear: You play well.