Page:Life of Isaiah V Williamson.djvu/178

154 good Christian who was not kind to animals, for "Christianity teaches love and kindness to man and beast."

His thoughtfulness also for the men about him was well known and characteristic, showing many kindnesses to such helpers as his coachman, and the janitor of the building in which he had his office so long. This office was in the store of Samuel W. Roop, commission merchant, afterward the firm of Roop & Washington, and later Billings, Roop & Washington. From 1850 to 1881 Mr. Williamson was a special partner, or had money invested in this firm, under its different names. One of the men who entered Roop's store in 1853, as a young clerk, and met Williamson intimately for about thirty years thereafter, says that in all those years "he never saw such an even and sweet-tempered gentleman"; and he gives a bit of personal experience that is illuminating. It seems that along about 1877, Williamson noticed that this man appeared very despondent, and upon inquiry learned that he was worried over certain losses in the business, in which he was at this time one of the partners. Williamson said to him: