Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-31
M Yanlaa, Rrea Starting n Lie.

up in the light OF parental ADMIRATION, Win
everything to foster his vanity and seltes-l
teen, is surprised to find, and often unwil- /
liag to acknowledge, the superiority Of otter
people. But he is compelled to learn his
own insignfcance his airs are ridiculed, his
blunders exposed, his wishes disregarded, and
he is made to cut very sorry figure, until
his self-conceit is abased, and he feels that
he knows nothing.
When young man has thoroughly com
pretended the fact that he knows nothing,
and that intrinsically he is but of little val
ne, and the next lesson is that the world
cares nothing about him. Hc is the subject of
no mans overwhelming admiration; neither
petted by one sex nor envied by the other,
he has to take care of himself. He will not
be noticed till he becomes noticeable; he will
not become noticeable until he does some
thing to prove that he is of some use to So
ciety. No recommendations or introduction
will give him this, or ought TO give him this +;
he must do something to be recognised as
somebody.
There is plenty Of room for men in the
world, but there is no room for oilers. So
ciety is not very particular what a man does,
so long as he does something useful to prove
himself to be man; but it will not take
the matter on trust.
There is no surer sign of an unmanly and
cowardly spirit than vague desire for help
Ia wish to depend, to lean OH somebody,
and enjoy the fruits of other peoples indus
try. There are multitudes Of young men
who indulge in dreams of help from some
quarter coming in at a convenient moment,
to enable them to secure the success in life
which they covet. The vision haunts them
of some benevolent old gentleman, with a
pocket full Of money, a box full Of scrip, Il
trunk full OF mortgages, and mind remark
ably appreciativo Of merit and genius, who
will, perhaps, give or lend them from one to
ten thousand pounds, with which they may
commence business, and 90 on swmmingly.
Perhaps he will take different turn and
send them to college, from which they will
emerge into ecclesiastical popularity and
rise up to fat bishopric Or deanery, at least.
One Of the most painful sights in the world
is that of young man with strong consti-
tuition and a presentable figure, standing with
his hands in his pockets, longing for hel p
There are positions in which the most indie
pendent spirit my gracefully and gratefully
accept assistance may, in fact, as u choice
Of evils, desire it, but for man who is able
to help himself, to seek help from others, is
positive proof that he has been unfortunately
trained, and that an indolent bias exists in
his character. Let US not be misunderstood
we would not inculcate the pride OF personal
independence, which in its sensitiveness repels
the good offices of fronds-what we condemn
in Young man, is the habit Of dependence
which makes him anxious to accept as a favor
= those things which he might readily acquire
by his own industrial exertiops. A maj
WHO willingly receives assistance, especially
if he has applied for it, invariably sell
himself to his benefactor, unless his patrol
happens to be man of sense, who is giving
r absolutely necessary assistance to one whom
: he knows to be both sensitive and honorable
When young man has ascertained tn
fact that he knows nothing and that tn
world cares nothing about him; that hi
success in life must depend on his own excr
tons and that he must look to himself, ant
not to others for assistance, he is in fai
position for beginning life.
The next lesson is that of patience 4
man must learn to wait as well as to work
| and to be content with those means of ad
/. vancement in life which he may use with in
l tegrity and honor. Patience is one of til
e most difficult lessons to learn It is nature
n for the mind to look for immediate results.
:. Let this, then, be understood at starting
r that the patient conquest Of difficulties whic
5. rise in regular and legitimate channels I
:. business and enterprise is not only essentia
in securing the success which young ma
o seeks in life, but essential also to that PREF
0 aration of the mind requisite for the cnjo,
II ment of success and for retaining them whe
IS gained. 1t is the general rule, in all IL
P world, and in all time, that unearned succe
is curse.
&c 1t is the rule also that the process of earl
n ing success shall be the preparation for i
l. conservation and enjoyment. So, day b
II day, and week by week; SO, month aft
" month, and year after year, WORK ON; an
=; in that process gain strength and symmetry
1t nerve and knowledge, that when success
le bravely and patiently acquired, shall
re yours it shall find you prepared to rccciv
Oh and to keep it. The development of a
IN your mental and moral qualities in the bray
d, battle of life will amply reward you for II
81 struggle. 1t will help to make MAN
you; and give you not only selfrespect b'
the respect Of your fellows and the publ
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