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Rh It is all very well to lay plans, and standing off at a distance from a situation, arrange how it ought to be managed. But there are certain points of human nature that are likely to be overlooked in such abstract ordering of things. For me to decide that I had been traveling for a number of years and ought to take a rest was one thing; for the spirit of "get up and go" that had been fostered in my blood through years of habit to give way tamely to the new arrangement was another. I grew restive under the confining life I was leading, and to which I was so completely unaccustomed. I longed for my old friends, and the pleasant visits I was in the habit of paying them. I felt that my health was actually being seriously impaired by the change. In March, 1909, I was in such a state of nervous breakdown that I had to recall Mr. Irwin from the road to take my place at the office, while I departed for Battle Creek Sanatorium, to recuperate.

In May, 1909, a calamity overtook me, in the death of my wife, who had been so steady a help and inspiration to me in the days of my early adversity, as well as in the years when things eased up a bit, constantly giving me courage to continue with my work. My first impulse was to close up my business, and to retire for awhile, I knew not where. The future seemed to hold out no promise for me. Everything looked dark and desolate.

One morning in June, I decided to take a short trip through the State, to meet some of my friends once again. It wasn't business that I was after, either; I was in desperate need of a change. That little trip revived my spirits, and seemed to open the gate to a more hopeful future. I decided to recommence my travels, to go back to the life which in spite of its drawbacks was so attractive to me.

Upon my return home I disclosed my plans to Mr. Irwin. He could see the reasonableness of my idea, and yet it was a question how to arrange our business with justice to both of us. We soon found a way out. We were to travel alternately, each taking a certain part of the country. I was to work in the West; Mr. Irwin, in his travel period, was to attend to the New England territory.

Thus we continued until the Fall of 1911. Our business grew steadily, and we were on a fair way to success. Circumstances arose, however, that necessitated a change. We separated. Mr. Irwin started on his own account in New York, where he still continues, and from all accounts is quite prosperous.

I reorganized my business, and induced my son, who had just commenced practicing law, to take part in it. From then until now, he has been for the most part the "inside man," and I have continued on the road. The idea often occurs to me to retire from the road, and let my son take my place. But I realize that I am only theorizing. A habit of so long standing cannot be broken without entailing in its destruction some grave consequences, the nature of which I experienced once before. So long as my health permits me, therefore, I shall continue in the harness. I no longer look upon my travels as "hard work"; to me they are a pleasure. Nor would I ever think of retiring. I have often spoken to some of my friends among the trade about the fallacy of giving up active business life. I will go further and say that were anybody to pension me for life with an income of twenty-five thousand a year, on condition that I retire from business, and rest for the balance of my days, I would dismiss the offer as unworthy of consideration.

A few years ago I read a very interesting article in the Saturday Evening Post, entitled "Is Resting Rusting?" The conclusion at which the writer arrived was that resting means rusting. He gave a number of instances of wealthy men who had retired from active business, and who at the expiration of a year or so were only too eager to return to it. Thus a certain wealthy paint manufacturer, who had amassed a great fortune, decided one day that he had had enough of business, that he would retire to California, and enjoy the rest of his days in ease and comfort. He built a magnificent chateau, and laid out beautiful gardens, with