Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-03-24
TIMOTHY T1TCOMBS LETTERS TO
YOUNG MEN.

"I take it that the first great lesson a
young man has to learn is. that he is an
ass. The earlier that this lesson is learn
ed, the better will it be for his peace of
mind and his success in life. Some ney-
er learn it and descend into tie evening
of existence, their ears lengthening with
the shadows as they go. Some learn
early, get their ears cropped, and say
nothing about it; while others retire into
modest employment where they will not
be noticed. A young man, bred at home
and growing up in the light OF parents
admiration and fraternal pride, cannot
readily understand how any one else can
be as smart as he is. He goes into the
town, puts On airs, gets snubbed, won
ders what it means, goes into society and
finds himself tongue-tied, undertakes 10
speak in debating club, and breaks
down, or gets laughed at, pays atten-
ton to nice young woman, and finds
very large mitten on his hands, and in
a state of mind bordering on distrac-
tion," sits down to reason about ii. This
is critical period in his history. The
result of his reasoning decides his fate.
If he thoroughly comprehends the fact
that he doesn't know anything, srd ac-
cepts the conviction that all the world
around him knows a deal more than he
does, that he is but cipher, and what
ever he gets must be won by hard work,
there is hope of him. He will go to
work, and learn how to live. On the
contrary, if huge self conceit still holds
possession of him, if he gets cross and
sour, if he turns up his nose, or sneaks,
he will be cut. Tbs world has no use
for him. A young man who is not trac.
table and placable, and who refuses to
admit to himself that he does not know
anything to speak of, and do it good ma.
turedly. might as well retire to private
! life first as last.
After young man has thoroughly
eomprehended the fact that he is an ass,
the next thing to learn is, that the world
don't care anything about him-that he
is the subject of nobody's admit iration OIL
overwhelming esteem, that he has got tc
look out for himself. A letter of recon-
mendation will procure an invitation to
tea. If he wears a good hat, the sexton
will show him to pleasant seat in church
and.expect him 10 contribute literally
when the plate goes round. If he is a
stranger, nobody will look after him.
Every man is busy with his own affairs.
He viii not be noticed until he becomes
noticeable, and until he does something
to prove that he is an absolute aid to So
ciety. No letter of Recommendation will
do this. No family connection will give
him this, except among those who think
more of blood than brains. Society de-
mands that he should be somebody, and
has right to demand it. Society will
not take this matter in trust, at least for
long time. Society is not SO particu-
lar what man does, but he must do
something to prove that he is man. l
used to know man who achieved yery
handsome position by writing an article
for the North american ReUiev. Nobo-
dy read the article, but the fact that he
wrote one, that it was published, that it
was long, did the business for him. He
had done something. But everybody
cannot write articles for the North Amsr-
ican ReUiev-at least should hope not,
for l receive that publication through a
benevolent friend. Everybody. howev-
er, can do something. There is a wide
range of effort between holding a a skein
of silk for pretty girl and saving the
same girl from drowning, and between
collecting votes on election day and
teaching a sabbath school class. But q
man must enter into society of his own
free will, as an active element or a valu-
able component, before he will receive
the recognition that every true man longs
for. 1 take it that this is right. Aman
who is willing to enter society as a ben
efciary is mean and does not deserve
recognition.