The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-21
From the London Family Herald.
THE SECRET OF SUCCEBS.

| From the London Family Herald.
THE SECRET OF SUCCEBS.
The shadows Of life surround US on all
sides, and the sweet sunshine Of our exis.
tence only serves them moro distinct. In
deed, life may be compared to a. long ave
nue. of trees, in the centre of which is a
broad ship of glorious light, and each side
gloomy masses of Darkness, that seem
struggling to meet and devour that deli
cious track Of brilliancy.
So it is with man; on each side of him
are shadows; bat he may avoid them if he
chooses or make as much use of them as
the weary traveller does when he shelters
himself in their repose from the too scorch-
ing rays of the sun. Darkness has its
uses as we'll as light, for universal nature is
made up of friendly extremes.
Not so, however, reasoned a young man,
as he stood by the side of sun-dial erect
ed in one of those old .churchyards SO COM
mon in the rural districts Of England, and
which we all love for the quaintness of
their sacred edifice and antique aspect.
He was evidently about twenty-five, and
was dressed in mourning, for he had just
lost his only relation, and had to carve his
way in the world alone and unaided. He
was contemplating the sun-dial, and, as he
saw the shadows move, his reflections were
rather of sombre character.
ave are but shadows after ALL" he NUT
tered half aloud. ave creep on like this
shadow, and then vanish in the deeper
darkness of night. Not SO this shadow,
round it goes for ages, marking tho brief
time which man has carved out Of the in
finite. But, ah me! 1 fear my lot will be
brief shadow, stalking gloom, travers-
ing through few years, and then be swal-
lowed up in the hideous night of the
grave"
"Say not so, Frank" exclaimed gentle
voice, as hand, light "a the touch of
feather, was laid on his shoulder. He star
ted back and CLEAN of joy shot over his
features as he recognized the speaker.
"Say not SO, Frank" repeated the maid
en-, for such she was; "this shadow teach
es us our duty, and, far from reminding
US Of our doom, it tells us how slowly but
surely time travels, and that, while we are
here, We should not be despondeut. See
there is sunshine before and sunshine be-
hind US; so look upon the sunshine as
monitor, friend, and take lesson from
its unvarying industry.
"You have grown quite philosopher"
the young man said, sadly, as he fondly
caressed the delicate hand that was, with
out any coyness, placed within his; "but
you always were placid and hopeful. I
will try; but OH Lucy, 1t is hard to part
with those We love. Ye,rs may elapse
before We shall meet again, and then
then
"Never, Frank Webster" replied tho
maiden, earnestly. "Lucy Dxon's heart
WAS not given away lightly or to one unde-
serving; and shn will No, -nf,c~ L~- L.-a
when the proper occasion arrives, unless
upon such provocation as Christian girl
ought not to overlook. Have the same
faith in me, Frank, as have in you. 1
trust YOU"
"Dear, dear Lucy" returned the young
man earnestly, "may heaven shower every
blessing on your head. I do trust-I
will~
Leaving them to their sweet. though
mournful confereDce-for they were about
to part for an indefinite period; and what
is sadder to Young hearts than the parting
of lovers Ave will say something about
their previous history.
Both were orphans, and each had been
brought up by relation-Lucy Dixon by
an aunt, Frank Webster by an uncle
Lucy had received good education for a
country girl in humble life, and Fortunate
ly for her, it happened to be a practical
one. She could write English with pro-
priety, knew little of arithmetic, but she
knew good deal more about house keep
ing. She was what is called a famous
manager, and performed her work with
such tact and eelicacy that few noticed she
was working until she had worked, and
hard too. She was bee without its buzz
zing or sting. Her aunt dying, she found
herself the possessor Of few pounds and
little furniture. Alone and unprotected,
what was she TO do.
Frank Webster had been educated in
different manner altogether, as it was only
natural he should have boen. His uncle
being childless, doated upon him, and be-
ing thriving though small farmer, plac-
ed him in a neighboring grammar school,
where he received classical education, and
the good old man even denied himself
some indulgencies to allow him three years
study at one of the universities, so that,
when Frank Webster had passed his TWEEN.
ty.first year, he was good scholar, knew
Greek and Latin, was well up in mathe.
matte, and had even taken to Kant and the
German school Of philosophy.
His uncle was proud Of him; but, the
former happening to die suddenly, a host
of next Of kin pounced on his property,
and Frank turned his back on the home of
bis childhood with just one hundred pounds
sterling in his pocket. What was he to
do? He know no business or profession.-
Having no friends, tho church was closed
against him; and as to the law, his pecu-
mary means forbade him looking to that as
a resource. What was he to do2 Lon
don suggested itself to his mind; and az
ter short deliberation, to London hc re-
solved to 60 and try his fortune, as hun
dreds Of thousands had done before him.
And Lucy, his dearly betrothed, what was
sbo to do with her scanty purscl We
shall sec.