Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/331

 man in conclusion, "slept that night in an outbuilding, scarcely a barn, but little better."

"Mr. Gould," said President Norvin Green, of the Western Union Telegraph Company, "was a man who, while he governed a corporation carefully, was always ready to reward merit and the faithful performance of duty. I remember at one of our annual meetings one of our department men, in making his report, appended thereto a request that his salary be raised. He asked for a large increase—fifty per cent. I think, from $2,400 to $3,600 a year. The Committee on Expenses was not inclined to grant the request. They were willing to give him a slight increase, but nothing like he asked.

"There was something peculiar about his work—I don't recollect what now—but it led to a somewhat long debate. This was terminated by Mr. Sage, who said as he always did when in doubt: 'Well, we will leave the matter to Mr. Gould.' When Mr. Gould came in the matter was referred to him with the explanation of the debate and the points of difference. Mr. Gould took up the report and read it through. Then he read the request for an increase. When he had finished he turned and said: 'Gentlemen, is there any of you who would like to do the work that man has done for $2,400 a year?'

"Every man shook his head. 'Neither would I,' remarked Mr. Gould. 'If he can do all this work he is certainly entitled to this $3,600 he asks, and we get off cheaply at that in having a faithful, honest and most capable employe.'"