GREAT BRITAIN: The Competitor

By the time he quit school at 15, hardworking Derek Wiscombe had earned and saved enough money to buy out his former employer, an itinerant firewood dealer. During the next two years, with the help of an ancient wagon and an agreeable white mare named Gypsy, young Derek managed not only to get along, but to expand his business as well. Besides selling firewood in the Newcastle suburb of Jarrow-on-Tyne (guaranteed wagon-to-hearth delivery), he took on trucking jobs, even transplanted hedges.

Derek's own enthusiasm was unflagging, but aging Gypsy was not so...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!