the buying and selling, and I took charge of the finance and the
books. We at once began to do a large business, dealing in carload
lots and cargoes of produce. Naturally we soon needed more money to
take care of the increasing trade. There was nothing to do but to
attempt to borrow from a bank. But would the bank lend to us?


THE FIRST LOAN

I went to a bank president whom I knew, and who knew me. I remember
perfectly how anxious I was to get that loan and to establish myself
favourably with the banker. This gentleman was T.P. Handy, a sweet and
gentle old man, well known as a high-grade, beautiful character. For
fifty years he was interested in young men. He knew me as a boy in the
Cleveland schools. I gave him all the particulars of our business,
telling him frankly about our affairs--what we wanted to use the money
for, etc., etc. I waited for the verdict with almost trembling
eagerness.

"How much do you want?" he said.

"Two thousand dollars."

"All right, Mr. Rockefeller, you can have it," he replied. "Just give
me your own warehouse receipts; they're good enough for me."

As I left that bank, my elation can hardly be imagined. I held up my
head--think of it, a bank had trusted me for $2,000! I felt that I was
now a man of importance in the community.