90 EARLY LIFE AND EXPERIENCES OF DR. COOK 



he had saved bought a small hand-press and began the work of 

 printing visiting cards for his friends and neighbors. There are 

 doubtless some still living in Brooklyn and Williamsburg who will 

 remember the young man who, back in the eighties, printed cards 

 for them to be used in their social calls. 



So closely did the young man apply himself to this work that 

 very soon he found himself able to earn more money as a printer 

 than he could hope for in Fulton Market, so he decided to give his 

 time over entirely to the new business, and did so for almost a year 

 before disposing of it. He finally sold it that he might invest his 

 saved earnings and the capital realized by the sale of his printing 

 business in a new field of industry. 



As he looked about for a promising investment young Cook 

 saw an opportunity to purchase a small milk route. He thought 

 there were possibilities of a young man succeeding in this business 

 if he applied himself. He purchased the route and the business 

 quickly brought returns that permitted him to enter upon the college 

 course desired. 



Not much time, however, was free to him. It was necessary 

 for the young collegian to begin work at one o'clock in the morning. 

 He delivered his milk to his customers between that time and seven 

 o'clock. Then he hurried. to his Brooklyn home, and with his books 

 under his arm reported for study at Columbia at nine o'clock. He 

 remained in school until four o'clock in the afternoon. Between 

 that time and one o'clock in the morning he slept. Lack of sleep 

 was made up on Saturdays and Sundays, when there was no school. 

 But there was work on those days as well as others. As may be 

 seen, the opportunities for study outside the college were few, but 

 whatever spare moments the young man had he spent in studying. 



As time went on young Cook's close attention to his business 

 brought such success that he found the work growing too much for 

 him in connection with his college duties, and he invited his brother 

 William to share the business with him on a partnership basis. 



