DEAR SIR: 

We, the employees of the Homestead Steel Works, desire by this means to express to you through our Committee our great appreciation of your benevolence in establishing the “Andrew Carnegie Relief Fund,” the first annual report of its operation having been placed before us during the past month.

The interest which you have always shown in your workmen has won for you an appreciation which cannot be expressed by mere words.  Of the many channels through which you have sought to do good, we believe that the “Andrew Carnegie Relief Fund” stands first.  We have personal knowledge of cares lightened and of hope and strength renewed in homes where human prospects seemed dark and discouraging.

     Respectfully yours

               { HARRY F. ROSE, Roller
               { JOHN BELL, JR., Blacksmith
     Committee { J.A.  HORTON, Timekeeper
               { WALTER A. GREIG, Electric Foreman
               { HARRY CUSACK, Yardmaster

The Lucy Furnace men presented me with a beautiful silver plate and inscribed upon it the following address: 

ANDREW CARNEGIE RELIEF FUND

     LUCY FURNACES

Whereas, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, in his munificent philanthropy, has endowed the “Andrew Carnegie Relief Fund” for the benefit of employees of the Carnegie Company, Therefore be it

Resolved, that the employees of the Lucy Furnaces, in special meeting assembled, do convey to Mr. Andrew Carnegie their sincere thanks for and appreciation of his unexcelled and bounteous endowment, and furthermore be it

     Resolved, that it is their earnest wish and prayer that
     his life may be long spared to enjoy the fruits of his
     works.

               { JAMES SCOTT, Chairman
               { LOUIS A. HUTCHISON, Secretary
               { JAMES DALY
     Committee { R.C.  TAYLOR
               { JOHN V. WARD
               { FREDERICK VOELKER
               { JOHN M. VEIGH

I sailed soon for Europe, and as usual some of my partners did not fail to accompany me to the steamer and bade me good-bye.  But, oh! the difference to me!  Say what we would, do what we would, the solemn change had come.  This I could not fail to realize.  The wrench was indeed severe and there was pain in the good-bye which was also a farewell.

Upon my return to New York some months later, I felt myself entirely out of place, but was much cheered by seeing several of “the boys” on the pier to welcome me—­the same dear friends, but so different.  I had lost my partners, but not my friends.  This was something; it was much.  Still a vacancy was left.  I had now to take up my self-appointed task of wisely disposing of surplus wealth.  That would keep me deeply interested.