Milford chronicle., 1941-02-07

I hAN WI h0Os
He was learning how to get re-
suits.
He asked for, and presently re-
ceived, permission to go to public
| school, instead of merely attending
the casual classes at the orphanage
Next he wanted permission to have
some of the other children go to
public school, too. That request,
also, was granted, after he agreed to
be responsible for their homework.
At one time there were twenty-four
children in the orphanage group at
tending public school with him.
He took groups of the children on
Saturday outings, and went along
with them, on crutches, as leader.
Sometimes it was merely a hike" to
nearby park; occasionally it would
mean first ride to the end of some
car line. The younger children
looked upon him almost as an older
brother, and the satisfaction of sue
cessful leadership and accomplish
ment fed still further the growing
fires of energy and ambition within
him.
At sixteen he finished the eighth
grade and asked permission TO go on
to high school. His request was re-
fused. The idea of an Orphanage
cripple wanting to go to high school!
Besides, how could he do high school
work without neglecting his duties
at the orphanage? But the crippled
boy was developing an indomitable
persistence. Could he try it for a
month? Reluctantly, permission was
given.
That was all West needed. He !
made good that month, both at |
school and at the Orphanage. He |
graduated from high school at nine
teen, going strong. His leadership |
Of the children at the orphanage had
made him good mixer. He became |
editor of the school paper, manager
of the football team, and school liz
brarian. That he could find time
and energy for these activities, with
out neglecting his work at the Or
phanage, seems a miracle. But he
even took on the additional orphan
age duty of night watchman.
West began to plan now to break
away from the orphanage entirely.
He looked around for a job. Of all
odd places for employment, he Sc
lected one of the oddest-a bicycle
shop. The proprietor at once said he
could not employ a cripple. West
countered that he would learn to
ride a bicycle If it would get him
the job.
Perhaps touched by his courage,
perhaps thinking it would merely
make the turn-down easier, the shop
owner agreed. Jimmy hobbled to
bicycle rink. l remember those
rinks we'll, for l learned
TO ride a bicycle at one of them. [
was healthy boy, yet l was black
and blue before | could make that ,
machine carry me around. :
Jim West, with one leg {
almost useless, was battered and
bruised three times as much. But he {
earned in quick order, and the very !
1ext morning he was back at the
shop to demonstrate his ability. The {
proprietor. hardly able to believe his
Eyes, kept his promise and gave him
/ job, keeping books. .,t.s L
Next, West made up his mind to
earn to walk without crutches. 1t
ook time, but he made it, although S
or weeks il was all he could do to
ieep his balance without grabbing I
omething to steady himself u
Before leaving the Orphanage for [
,Ood, West decided he would have to Il
% what he could to improve condi- d
ions there permanently. First of
IL he undertook to rid the buildings
( vermin. Superintending the chill
rem, he helped them whitewash and fl
amt the whole place. There was a n
against rats; man who q
wned weasels was brought in to
clip. More than seventy rats were NJ
illed, and all rat-holes nailed up "
ith tin. IA
Next he went before the directors al
the orphanage and pointed out the =
aste and incompetence that pre-
liled. He showed that the money
)ent on food for $50 children, aside -
ON bread and milk, was less than
at for the fourteen members of -
e staff. The Board was properly
locked, and conditions were recti- Z,
'd-but he shared the fate of many
lother refOrmer. His ideas were ac- F,
pied but he had to go.
West decided to become lawyer. $.
trough the Y. NJ G. A., where he =
und secretarial work to do, he ne
armed of a chance to read law with =
attorney. With his excess ener- so
I, that by this time seemed to be :
he became active in d
urch work, and kept on with odd -
1s for the Y. AS soon as he felt ~
was far enough along to require isi
rther law instruction, he entered =
, National University law school. A.
A bad fire in the Y. M. C. A. build oi-
! burned out the wing where night =
lOol classes were held. The direc- ele
s felt they could not Immediately r.
'uild the wing, and ordered the I
Int school closed. Do
i'm West took this almost as a H.
'sonal blow. His own education Il
come through continual strug- yea
Closing the night school, he ton
!, shut the doors of opportunity n
a lot of young fellows with the Gov
ht stuff in them. He told the di- forC
tors that if they would let him F
pen the school he would take tion
r the entire job himself, including Mll
Iing funds; in short order the f
ht school was reopened, with a and
yer enrolment than before the gre
~
I twenty-five, Jim West finally n,lI Milt
iuated from law school and pass -
lis bar examinations. He secured Ft
appointment " luS DOdTQ OI Heu- Of re