FROM THE STREET TO THE WILDS 233 



quotations, for two hundred thousand dollars 

 was accepted by one capitalist who withdrew at 

 the eleventh hour. Two other large deals fell 

 through after nothing was left to arrange but 

 details. How the suspense did last! I envied 

 Damocles for it was possible that the hair which 

 suspended the sword above his head might hold. 

 But the panic came, the hair broke and the sword 

 fell. 



During my early business activities I was re- 

 gardless of my health, eating and sleeping when 

 convenient, often working until daylight for con- 

 secutive nights and then sleeping the clock 

 around on Sunday. Sometimes when I had re- 

 mained late at the office and was asked the next 

 morning where I had dined on the previous day 

 I had to confess that I hadn't dined at all. Oc- 

 casionally this brought me into the hands of a 

 doctor and I remember the advice of one who 

 was connected with a big life insurance company : 



"You are burning the candle at both ends. 

 Cut loose from the office for a month. You like 

 to hunt. Go into the woods where even mes- 



