WANAMAKER'S BRICKS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12488, 15 March 1909, Page 4

WANAMAKER'S BRICKS.

The news that Mr Wanamaker, the "Whiteley of America," whose will has just been proved, has left an estate valued at over four million pounds sterling, recalls one of the romances of million-making. Sixty years ago Mr Wanamaker was a bare-footed lad in the streets of Philadelphia, thankful for a crust, and glad to earn a cent by any work, however humble. His father and grandfather were both struggling bricklayers ; and the future" Croesus thought his fortune was made when he foiuid employment in a book store at a dollar and a half a week. .Later he obtained an engagement as • clothing salesman ; and it was with the money thus saved— £4oo in all — that he opened his first modest shop, which was destined to develop into the greatest store in the world. A characteristic story is told of xdr Wanamaker's early days of poverty. One Sunday Dr. Chambers wound up his sermon with an eloquent appeal to his hearers to help him to build up a new church in place of the wooden shed in which they were worshipping. A dead silence followed this appeal. Then from the gallery of the closely-packed church a ' child's voice was heard calling out, "1 will give one load of bricks." . The ef- : feet was electrical. Within a few minutes the whole of the money needed had been offered.