e
before the tardy bell rang. He usually made it. If late, he slipped in,
usually walking backwards, hoping either to escape observation or, if
seen, to be told to retake his seat.

His vacations were spent on the river where he learned to handle a canoe
and skiff; and before he was fourteen could swim and dive like a
didapper. At that time his greatest ambition was to run the falls in a
canoe; his next to be a steamboat captain.

He and two other boys built a camp on Six-Mile Island. There they
usually spent the month of August; during the preceding vacation days
working as bank runners or messenger boys to raise the money to finance
the camping party.

He was entered in the graded school at seven, in high school at fifteen,
at which time he put on long trousers and changed from stockings to
socks. He insisted on discarding his stockings, as the boys had a way of
lifting the bottoms of trousers to see if the one appearing for his
first time in long trousers yet wore his stockings. He graduated from
the high school at nineteen; and after two years at the local law school
and in Judge Marshall's office, was given a position with the Kentucky
Title Company; and for a year had been employed at abstracting in the
Jefferson County Clerk's office.

One day a prosperous-looking stranger asked where certain records might
be found and he graciously showed their location. The next day the
stranger asked several questions as to local real estate laws,
particularly as to leases, transfers and the rights of married women. He
introduced himself as Mr. Rogers and asked John his name.

The following day about noon he came into the clerk's office and said;
"Mr. Cornwall, I wish you would lunch with me today." Cornwall, after
telephoning his mother that he would not be home, went with him.

When they were nearly through eating Mr. Rogers said:

"This morning I was at the office of Judge Barnett. He is attorney for
our company, The Pittsburgh Coal & Coke Company. I asked him the same
questions I did you and he gave similar answers. I have since made
inquiries and believe our company can use you to look after its local
law business in Bell, Harlan and Leslie counties. In these three
counties we own about fifty thousand acres of coal lands and mineral
leases on approximately two hundred thousand acres more. In addition we
own several old surveys which I do not include in this acreage.

"We will pay you $1,800.00 a year, equip and f