Grandpa Howard told me that every human makes his own record in the arena of life. A name is illuminated by the light of the character that shines behind it. I found that some may try to besmirch the legacy you are leaving. Some will do so out of lack of understanding and others out of malice or jealousy. Nevertheless, I have tried to uphold Grandpa’s admonition to maintain good character.
He told of a certain farmer who owed a Waynetown grocer $80. The merchant had not been able to collect the account and finally agreed to take a note. The debtor, believing that only his signature would be required, seemed pleased to settle in this manner, but the merchant demanded security. There was a young man about 20 years old who was working for the farmer at this time. Though a minor, his name as surety was satisfactory to the merchant. The young man knew nothing of this transaction until the note became due. The farmer had forged the signature and escaped prosecution by raising the money the same day to make the payment in full.
It was near closing time when a man came into the bank to get a check cashed. The cashier hurriedly made the exchange and the man went out without recounting the money until he arrived home. It was then learned the cashier had given $5 more than the check called for. The following morning the money was returned and since the mistake was of no serious consequence there was little comment concerning the incident.
Some months later the man who presented the check wanted to borrow $200 and asked the president of the bank what security was necessary. The banker said “We do not make loans without adequate security, but I consider your name worth $200 and will make a personal loan without endorsement.”
Grandpa encouraged me to be a climber, not a coaster, a booster, nor a boaster.