SELF-CONFIDENCE 237been driven home, so I led him back to the elevator and sent him on
his way. I never expected to see him again, and I doubted that the lesson
would be sufficient to help him regain his place in the world, because
he seemed too far gone for redemption. He seemed to be not only
down) but almost out.
A few days later I met this man on the street. His transformation
had been so complete that I hardly recognized him. He was walking
briskly, with his head tilted back. That old, shifting, nervous posture of
his body was gone. He was dressed in new clothes from head to foot. He
looked prosperous and he felt prosperous. He stopped me and related
what had happened to bring about his rapid transformation from .a state
of abject failure to one of hope and promise.
"I was just on my way to your office," he explained, "to bring you
the good news. I went out the very day that I was in your office, a
down-and-out tramp, and despite my appearance I sold myself at a.
salary of $3,000 a year. Think oj it) man) $3,000 a year! And my employer
advanced me money enough to buy some new clothes, as you can see
for yourself He also advanced me some money to send home to my
family, and I am once more on the road to success. It seems like a
dream when I think that only a few days ago I had lost hope and faith
and courage, and was actually contemplating suicide.
"I was comi~g to tell you that one of these days, when you are least
expecting me, I will pay you another visit, and when I do I will be a
successful man. I will bring with me a blank check, signed and made
payable to you, and you may fill in the amount because you have saved
me from myself by introducing me to myself-that self I never knew
until you stood me in front of that mirror and pointed out the real me:'
As he turned and departed into the crowded streets of Chicago, I
saw, for the first time in my life, what strength and power and possi-
bility lie hidden in the mind of the person who has never discovered
the value of self-reliance. Then and there I made up my mind that 1, too,
would stand in front of that same mirror and point an accusing finger