Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-11-15
THE TURNPIKE 0F LEE


THE TURNPIKE OF LIFE
We are on journey. The worll through
which we are passing, is in some. respects,
like turnpike; all along which Vice and
Folly have erected toll gates, for the accom-
mediation of those who choose TO call in as
they 60, and there are very few or all the
ho' of travellers who do not occasionally
stop little AT some one of them; and conse
quently pay more or less 10 the toll gathc
rers. Pay more or less say, because there
is "a great variety as we'll in the amount as in
the kind of toll exacted at these different
stopping places.
Pride and fashion take heavy tolls Of the
purse-1nany man has become heggar
by paying at their gates; the ordinary rates
they charge, are heavy, and the road that
way IS none ofihe best
Pleasure offers very smooth delightful
road in the onset; she tempts the traveller
with many far promises. and wins thousands
bnt she taxes without mercy. like an artlul
robber she allures till she gets her victim in
her power, and then strips him oil health
and money. and turns him miserable Oh
Ject. into the very worst and most rugged
road OF life
.lntemperance plays the part Or sturdy
villain. He's the very worst toll gatherer on
the road; for he not only gets from his Gus
toners their money and health. but he robs
them OF their very brains. The men you
meet IN the road, ragged and.rpincd in fame.
and srtunc. are his visiters. =
And so might 90 on enumerating many
others who gather toll of the unwary. Ac
cidents sometimes happen, il is true along the
road, but those who do not get through at
least tolerably well, you may be sure have
been stopping by the way at some of these
places. The plain common sense men. who
travel streisht forward. get through the jour
ney without much difficulty.
This being the state Of things, ii becomes
every one, in the outset, if he intends 10
make comfortable journey, TO take care
what kind of company he gets in with We
are all apt 70 DO great deal as our confpan
IONS do; stop where they stop, and pay where
they pay. Ten chances 10 one then. but our
choice IN this particulsr decides our fate.
Having paid due regard TO prudent
choice oil companions. the next important
thing Is, closely TO observe how others man
age; 10 mark the good or i'll that is produ
ced by every course OF life. see how those
who do well, manage, and trace the course
OF all evil TO IFS origin in conduct Thus you
will make yourself master of the information
T..
There IS no difficulty in working things right
il YOU know how; by these means you know
how; by these means you learn.
BE careful Of your habits These make
the man. And they require long and care
full culture, ere they grow to be second ma
tnre-good habits speak Of had ones are
more easily acquired; they are the spontane
Gus weeds that flourish rapidly aud rankly
without care or culture
The want OF moral courage, that Is. the
energy 10 do right, often occasions a morbid
boldness in doing wrong. Men are intrepid
and shameless in degrading themselves, who |
are still towards in yielding conscience TO |
temporary advantag9-in sacrificing the bet |
ter parts OF their nature To vulgar propensi /
lies and narrow calculations. 1t is in1memo
rial remark that these who are lavish of their
hea'th, n youth,-who sin against tempe
rance and caution,-aTe subject, in old age.
to correspond pains and penalties This OBJ |
servation may be extended 20 earlr moral /
delinquency; TO any sacrifice Of the prinei /
pies and habits Of truth, honor and selfre |
spect:-they may seem to succeed and TO [
procure the advancement andlucre for which /
they are made: but they deteriorate and |
embiiter the latter years-thev dafken and |
disorder the autumn; it is found that the con
seriousness Of a life invariably scrupulous and |
upright is the only true support, and the |
greatest final gsin.-.Nat. Ga=.
Bop,dtessncss Of The Creation. About the /
time of the telescope, another instrument |
was formed, which laid open a scene of less |
wonderful, and rewarded the inguisitive spir. /
it of man-fhis was the microscope The
one led me to see system in every star; and
the other leads me to see world in every 1
atom. The one taught me that this mighty +
globe, with the whole burden Of its pcople
and its countries, is but grain Of sand or
the high fchi of immeneity; the other teach
es me every grain Of sand may harbor witt
in It the tribes and the families ola busy pop |
ulation- One told me Of the insignifcanc
of the world tread upon; the other redeems I
it from insignilisance; for it tells me. that IN!
the leaves OF every forest, and in the flower,
OF every garden. and in the waters of ever, |
rivulet, their are words teeming with life, an,
numberless are the glories ofthe Esmament l