Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-09-26
THE VIRTUES WHICH COMMAND
SUCCESS.

; James Holford has risen step by ste
up the ladder of fortune until he stan6
securely at the summit, with fam,
wea lth and honors surrounding him.
Some twenty years ago this same Jane
Holford was at the very foot of the lac
der. pondering how he should rise. Th
ladder was very curious to contemplate
and still more curious was it to hca
what the world said about it.
"It is all luck, sill" cried one, moth
ing but lucl. why, sir, have manage
at times to get up step or two, bu
have always fallen down ere long, an,
now have given up striving, for luck i
all against me-"
"No, sir" cried another, cit is not 81
much luck as scheming !; the selfsl
schemer gets up while more honest folks
remain at the foot
Patronage does it ALL" said third
"you must have somebody to take you
by the hand and help you up, or you
have no chance
James Holford heard all these varied
opinions of the world. but still persist
ed in looking upward, for he had faith
in himself.
"The cry of luck's all, what does it
amount to in reality" thought he, "but
that some people are surrounded by bet
ter circumstances than others; they
must still, however, take advantage of
these circumstances permanently to sue
cecd !; and l, having very Indifferent cir
cumstanccs around nc, have the more
need to use great cxertion in order to bet
ter them and when rcvcrses come I will
not despair as some do, but persevere
on to fortune. want no friend to take
me by the hand and do that for me
which every healthy man can do better
for himself. No. l will rise by myself
alone
The resolution was earnestly made,
and faithfully carried out. From the
office in store, to the post Of
the highest trust, James Holford rose in
a few years. He placed his affections on
one alike to him in sympathics and for
tune, and welded happiness with her.
He became a trader for himself, having
from his income laid by sufficient to
start with. His probity, his courtesy
and his application, commended him to
all his customers, and every year saw
him advancing higher in the worlds es-
timation. Not only did he devote his
energies to his business, but his leisure
hours were given to the cultivation of
his mental faculties, so that bis neighbors
soon began to look upon him as an au
thority in public matters, and again and
again confdcd Offices of trust to him, in
which he invariably won golden opin-
ions. Independent in spirit as he is now
also independent in fortune, and still in
the vigor Of health and life, with fine
troop of children around him, James
Iolford looks with hope and serenity to
the future, while in his every action he
still offers model to the world.
His counsel is much sought by the
young and aspiring, and he thus dis
courses to them concerning the ladder OF
fortune:
1.-The steps from the foot to the sum-
nit are not many, hut each has name
which must be distinctly known by all
who would seek to climb. The first step
is faith, and without this none can safe
ly rise; the second, industry the third
perseverance the fourth, temperance !;
the fifth, probity, and the sixth indie
pendencc. Having attained thus high
position on the ladder, the future rise is
easy, for faith will have taught the climb
er never to doubt or despair; industry
will have kept him from vice either in
thought or Decd perseverance Will have
shown him how easily difficulties arc
surmounted when calmly met; temper
ance will have preserved both health and
temper; probity will have secured re-
spect and given stability to the charac-
ter; and independence of spirit, while it
will give dignity to the man, will cer-
tainly gain the admiration of the world.
One step more has to be acquired, which
is experience-the only true knowledge
of life, and then the summit Of the lad
der is surely reached.
Young men, the ladder of fortune can
be mounted by all of you, If you learn
the moral Of James Holford's life. Say,
who is the first to profit by it?