The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-03
From the wAverI Magazine.
Fidelity In Little ThInEs.

Of cars, my attention was directed, by q
gentleman who stood a. my side. to man
coming down tie track with rapid strides.
| looked with interest. supposlug him TO
be man Of some distinclion-a poli.I.
cian, an editor or, perchance, an aged
brokst. Who had retired from Wall Street
without stain Of dishouesty upon his
character; or what may be a more rang
phenomena. a conductor who had served
the road for dozen years withou. ecom-
ing tie proprietor Of the best farm ia that
part Of Of country in WHICH he resided.
"Soon, however. tie man ca,1e up to
where We were standing. and, bidding sll
cheerful good morning; passed on. He
was tall, hony, gooc -naiured looking
lrishman. with "a sledgs upon his shoul-
der. nothing progressing in his appear
ance or distinguished ih his air. gould
see nothing IN him to sttiacl atterlidu and
wondered why tn gentleman I ad pointed
him out to me; and, as he was sill aud
i ing stmy side, asked for the desired III
formation.
"That mani" he replied, has worked
on this load for many yeaIs. Ills bu,i-
ness is 10 see that the track, for Two miles
above, and three below. is in 6t orter for
travel, that no rails are broken or bent;
and if he finds a spik~ Gr wedge loose ,pne
blow from bis hammer OF sledge, which
he carries, sends it rgain to its place"
"What wages does he get for such ser
vices?" ! enquned.
"Seven shlllings Gay, and fnds him
self he answered; for which he seems
peri city sa isfed, and performs his task
eheerully. He SEEMS TO know every ont
whom he mests, Tor he has always hear.
ty good morning 10 all In short, he il
one Of tie best hanks on the whole road
lie ever performs his task with The utmos
attenli n and faithfulness, keeping hi'
FIVE mile heat 10 portect order
This teaches lesson alike Of content
meut and fidelity but The latter only i
odr dssigh in citing it. II is an exceed
ingly rare sight ID see man periecil
contentcd with his lo!, but fai more so t
see him faithful in the performance of hi
little duties Of life. Most men are striv
ing at something great, something uncom
mon, something that is designed 10 arous,
every latent power of their nature. They
ba.e 10 be tied to the performance Of littl'
things, TO climb slowly and persevetingl!
up the ladder of fame and fortune, bu
wish. with one bold, kerpic step. to reacl
the topmost r9und
Its right. it is manly, il i5 ppblo, t
exert every energy Of cur naturesi ever
faculty Of our minds, 10 eudssvor to stan
on The same lofty eminence with the gres
and good of all ages, but 1t shcala not b
! done BY reglectihg and sacrificing littl
thiugs. Indeed. it cannot bt: such foo
ing can only be obtained by attent on t
them.
Franklil's vorld-reno2ned rule fer &C
qu.ring wealth was based on the sam
broad principles, viz, fidelity in liul
? things; "Take care Of the pennies and tn
dollars will take care of themselves. -
This rule does for those who acquir
wealth, or al least those who know 10 kee
it after getting II; but it is entirely to
old fahioned for that portion Of our cour
! trymen pOpularly known as Young A
metica y They take a more abstrac
! view of it-consider 1t more in the aggre
gate;
This rule applies cot only to wealth an
! honor, but to everything aud every depart
ment Of life. Our papers are crowde
will accidents under the several heads {
shipwrecks. railway disasters, explosions
$ fires. &C., which could nearly all ha'
: been prevented by strict attention to lit
: hings. 1t is but small thing to raise
e Aag over broken rail to warn the engir
it is not safe to cross it at the usual Tal
of speed, but much larger one to exit
cate from the pile Of ruins the mutlate
: bodies oi Il passeiger9.. 4 small thin
: to extinguish with your foot the blrrin
match thrown on me f'or after lighin
a cigar, but far more difficult one to e2
q tinguish the flames of burning house
: city. \ small hing to mix lime ar
sand together to form mortar, OF which
u cement together the Stones ard brick of
}; factory. or mill, or church. bat 1t is ma:
u nifed with microscopic l-ns when, at son
unlucky hour, the edifce crumbles to Il
ground:
We give too little attention to Gma
things, for they form the keystone o
:" which the arch is spanned, the found
:. : ton on which all our su cess in lie rest
= When they are neglected our hopes. a
:, blasted, orr e&pectstioHs disappointed, ,o'
= superstructure falls. There are enoug
70 ready to take CHI, rye of the greSt thin
oflife, but 100 few 10 mind thu small one
!. When these fitlle things are properly a
. tended to. our houses will be sale, Of
y railways flee from danger and every d
partment Of life benefited. There can
4 nothing done that will be of greater Sc
vice to society. or reflect greater upon Il
pc. former, for such m ons will not on
f, merit the praise and commendatiop of h
o fellow men err but her after. v ii fecei
n the welcome approbalion. Because thu
I, has been faithful over few things | "
make thee ruler over many thlnge; cou
up thau and sit with me On my throne
8 EDWARD.