In his youth, Carnegie valued usefulness, honor, and respect, and he longed to improve himself. As a boy in Dunfermline, Scotland in the 1840s, he sought to gain knowledge by pushing himself to do well in school. He was a favorite of his teacher, Robert Martin, because he did his duties and studied hard. Very quickly the other children labeled him as "Snuffy Martin?s pet," and although Andrew bitterly resented the title, he kept on pushing. Andrew?s father Will, who was a hand-loom weaver of damask in Dunfermline, was soon put out of work by steam-powered textile mills. Thus, the Carnegies decided to move t

o America, the land of opportunity. Margaret Carnegie, Andrew?s mother, was ashamed to leave Scotland in poverty and defeat. However, she was determined to see that her sons had a chance for a better future in the United States. Andrew, aged thirteen, aware of his father?s failure and his mother?s contempt for it, looked to the future for redemption of the past. In the thirteen years between Andrew?s birth in Scotland and his family?s departure for America, life in Scotland made a lasting impression on him. It implanted attitudes that affected his behavior for the rest of his days.

Carnegie, Andrew. "How to Succeed in Life." New York Tribune, 19 December 1903.

Eventually, Carnegie retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad to concentrate on his finances. "My investments now began to require so much of my personal attention that I resolved to leave the service of the railway company and devote myself exclusively to my own affairs. . . . I was determined to make a fortune." Making money became very important to Andrew, and he certainly was good at it. He sold millions of dollars worth of railroad and bridge bonds, all of which paid him a healthy commission.

Andrew went to work as Scott?s secretary and telegraph operator. One day, there was a serious railroad accident, and no one could find Scott to give orders. Everything was a mess, so Andrew took the initiative to give orders in Scott?s name. "Finally I could not resist the temptation to plunge in, take the responsibility, give ?train orders,? and set matters going. . . ." He realized that he risked dismissal, disgrace, perhaps even prison, if he made a mistake. Expertly, but without permission, Carnegie had gotten the trains running smoothly again. His bold action and sense of responsibility raised his worth greatly in Scott?s opinion.

Some topics in this essay:
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pittsburgh Brooks, Andrew Scotts, Fortunately Carnegie, River Andy, Andrew Carnegies, Hero Fund, Andrew Carnegie, Soon Carnegie, Steel Company, andrew carnegie, carnegie steel, usefulness honor, changing view success, carnegie andrew, adams express, boston ma, changing view, bobbin factory, telegraph operator, honored respected,