The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-26


all his leisure hours 70 the improve
meni OF bis mind.
He went farther and fairly turned
the tables 90 bis friend ; so success
lively pleading the higher and supe-
rior nature Of the pleasures he en-
joyed 10 bis quiet and progressive inn
Proyement, that Fank dropped his
lrankish style Of address and listened
with an earnestness that told him half
convinced
Dawnings Of greatness seemed 10
rise before his mind-visions OF his
childish ambition, when he had looked
away to the dazzling heights Of veal
thy greatness, without dreaming OF the
toilsome road that lay between, again
passed like dreams before him.
LET me assure YOU" urged John,
"that there is infinitely more pleasure
in gratifying the thirst Of the mind Tor
knowledge, than 10 feeding our pas
sions or INDUCING our desires for emp
" pleasures both appeIiies grow
strong by nourisamenl, but how much
more safe to cherish the one than the
Other."
That's true enough replied Frank,
''but what can a young clerk DO, who
is tied behind the counter for seven
eights Of his walking hours, towards
getting education enough TO expert
ence any Of the pleasures Of which you
speak. Ny mind has hankered enough,
God knows, after knowledge, and had
! been tue son Of some rich nabob who
could have afforded me time aud the
means, | should have gloried in deIv-
ing into tie mysteries Of science, and
in shaking my thirst 10 what your wri-
tiers call her crystal fountains, but
with my time and means / can accom-
plish nothing. | never had money
enough in my life time, to purchase a
dozen books, nor have | lime enough
in year TO read them. Heigho ! /
am NOT 10 be cheated out ofthcse flow
ers Of pleasure that grow around me
because others, though mo-e fair and
fragrant, bloom beyond my reach"
"IIad you been placed in the cir
cumstanees you mention, replied John
"the same disposition to CRAFTY the
caprices Of the moment at The expense
Of future attainmenls, would have been
foe to your Advancement The high.
er aid eanobing pleasures which are
found only in the paths Of wisdom arc
above the reach Of no one, and to him
who hos moral nerve enough to turn
away from the Establishments of the
gay temptations around him, they are
as cheaply won and as quickly enjoy
ed as those ola more triaing character.
The expense Of your afternoons uip
would purchase you rich store ofin-
formation IL almost any department Of
literature or science, and the time YOU
will waste, though not enough in itselI
to be Of great importance, is long en-.
ough to commence in ; the self appro-
baton that viii Immediately follow
such an improvement Of it, and the
noble qualification that the mind al
once experiences in making the leasl
Advancement in knowledge will be a
/ present and certain source of enjoy.
ment infinitely superior 10 any that you
know or feel. Come Frank rouse up
your manhood, your powers are TOO
noble to be wasted. Greatness is aol
begouen in a day but in course o
patient and perssvering exerlion you
may easily find il We who are hem.
med in BY adverse circumstances may,
| by overcoming add rising above them
make far higher advances Than those
who are more favored with fortune
and are, consequently, never called up
on to make such exertions."
When Frank parted from his FRIEND
be was determined that that afternoon;
indulgence should be the last for sis
months to come during which Tim,
he firmly resolved that every leisur,
honr should be devoted to improve.
ment but he could neither persuad,
himself TO give up a future recurrence
to bis favorite amusemenis, or resolve
to abandon his present grati6eation
He that halis between virtue and vicl
can neither profit by the teachings o
the one, nor enjoy the qualifications o
f the other.
Frank started on this excursion witt
his new purposes already he was wea
wing lis plans Tor improvement ant
dreaming Of his success. But, no
finding the company cougenial for suel
reflections, he concluded to banis
J them ill the morrow-these gone hi
heart was as light as sver-his stories
iesis and songs provoked most uproar
i Gus mirth aud repeatedly called fort
: the most noisy applause from his CON
panions. Frolic, mir'h and revelr
] held broken sway nr'ii as-+ .'.idnign