Page:Famous Living Americans, with Portraits.djvu/116

Andrew Carnegie was born November 25, 1837, in Dunfermline, Scotland, the elder son of William and Margaret Carnegie, His father was a master weaver, a man of sturdy character, a speaker and writer on behalf of those political reforms which were being agitated in those early days. Young "Andie" acquired thus, at the feet of his father, the democratic principles which have influenced his entire life. He was equally blessed in his mother, a thrifty woman of much common sense, sparing of words, but sound of counsel. It may here be added that, by the time the future Iron King became possessed of great wealth, his father was dead, but his mother was his constant companion, accompanying him in all his holidays, both at home and abroad.

In 1848 the Carnegies came to the United States and settled in Allegheny City, opposite Pittsburgh. At the age of twelve "Andie" entered a cotton factory as a bobbin boy, at a dollar and twenty cents a week. His progress was steady. He spent his evenings in study and otherwise improved him- self.

At fourteen the lad became a telegraph boy. The clicking over the wires interested the quick-witted youngster, who somehow seemed to feel that he now stood in the midst of the busy world. Mr. J. D. Reed, in his History of the Telegraphy, referring to this period of Andrew Carnegie's life, says, "I liked the boy's looks, and it was very easy to see that though he was little he was full of spirit. He had not been with me a month when he began to ask whether I would teach him to telegraph." As boy and man Andrew Carnegie was never backward. According to circumstances he asked and received, listened and gave, with equal facility. In other words, he was an out-and-out man of affairs at every stage of the business game.

Young Carnegie attracted the attention of Thomas A. Scott, superintendent of the Pittsburgh division of the Pennsylvania railroad, who offered him a situation as an operator. Thus commenced a friendship that was to develop to the material benefit of both parties.

One day Mr. Scott called the young operator aside and sug-