The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-04
fir tbe Doung.
Make a Character for Yourself.

make q CnaraCtef Tor x0urSe1.
1t is related of Girard, that when a
young tradesman, having bought and paid
for a bag Of coffee, proceeded 10 wheel ii
home himself, the shrewd old merchant
Immediately offered to trust his new Gus
toners to as many more bags as the latter
might desire. The trait of character. re-
vealed by the young man in being his
own porter, had given the millionaire con-
|fdence in him at once. His reputation
was made with Girard. He became a fa-
vorite dealer with the enterprIsing mer-
chant, throve rapidly, and in the end
amassed fortune.
No mere capital will do so much for
young men as character. Nor will al.
ways even capital and connexion combin-
ed. In our own experience. we have
known many beginners who have utterly
failed, though backed by ample means,
and assisted by the influence Of a large
circle Of friends. In some cases, indeed,
considerable experience, as well as indus:
try and perseverance,, have been added
to these advantages, yet without securing
success. We have known such persons,
after failure in their first pursuit, 10 try a
second, and even by their own activity.
The secret was that they had missed !.
somehow, making a character for ihem-
selves.
On the other hand, it is common oc-
currence 10 see young men begin without
cent, yet rapidly rise TO fortune. They
achieve this triumph by establishing, at
the outset, reputation for being compe-
for 10
as to do this by single characteristic act,
like the purchaser who won Girard's good
will by wheeling home the bag; for. gen
orally, neither veteran merchants are as
shrewd as the famous millionaire, nor
young dealers as energetic as his custom
er. But consistent life Of sagacity,
economy and industry, invariably estab-
fishes the right kind Of reputation in the
end. Confidence grows up in influential
quarters. towards the young beginner.
Old merchants shake their heads approv-
ingly. and say. "he. is Of the right stuff
and will get along" Credit comes, as il
were, unsought. Connexion follows. The
reputation of the new aspirant widens and
deepens; his transactions begin to be quo
ted as. authority; trade flows in en- him
| from every quarter; and, in a few. years,
he retires with a competence. or remains
| to become a. millionaire All this is the
4 result Of establishing, at the outset, char
acter OF the right sort. 's's.
We may say 10 every young man, abou1
| to start in life, make character for your
/ self as soon as possible. Let it also be 8
/ distinctive one. 1t is better to have 8
! name for excelling all others in some one
| thing than to enjoy simply a notoriety fol
/ merely general merit. Are you a me
! chanic'? oufstrip your. fellows in skill
Are you young lawyer2 become supe
rior in particular branch. Ares you 9
clerk2 be the best book-keeper youraem
! ployers have, Are you in a storea make
1 yourself acquainted with the various buy.
ers. In short, become known for an ex
! cellence peculiar to yourself; acquire q
speciality, as it is called; and success i.
certain, because you will have, assit. were
monopoly, and can dictate your own
terms. o egg s2sis y ssls' ~
! Money may be lost, without fault Of oul
own, by some one or another of the acci
dents OF life Connexions may be broker
tup by death. or failure, or change Of in,
terests But character remains through
all It belongs TO the individual, and i.
above the chances of fate. Thousand.
who have lost all else, have recovered
themselves, by having q character to star
anew with; but no man. without bushes.
character, has ever risen from the ruiz
caused by the loss Of capital, or the de
struction Of connection. Ledger. zgst-
H AsFr 4 sssr !. ...stF ~ F.Af 81.