Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-04-02
SUCCESS IN LIFE

lectures to s'Valter," hits the nail on th,
head in the following logical direction
how to succeed in life:
"Valter, my boy, do you realize tina
each year the grave is nearer you thar
ever before-that unless you are active,
the season of life viii close before even
half yeur self-alloted contract will have
been performed, unless, like too many
people, you have no ammo hope--no
ambition beyond picking your teeth
after dinner? Half of the world-yes,
Walter, more than half, go to the re.
ception room, Of eternity without any
object in life-as drift wood floats down
stream, guided by the current and
lodging against the first obstruction
And what is drift-wood, boy? Once
and a while good stick of timber is
found therein, but it is more work to
haul it out, clean of the sand and mud,
than it is worth, and more time and
tools are spoiled in making it into what
YOU wish, than the stick will bring,
even at an active market.
"Have a purpose, my boy. Live for
something. Make up your mind what
YOU will be, and be it, or die in the at
tempt. This is land where there is
no stint to ambition. All have an
equal chance. Blood tells--pluck
wins--honor and integrity well directed
will scale the highest rock, and bear a
big load. Don't start off in life as a
sheep-dog does, without knowing where
YOU are going to. Load for the game
you are hunting for. 1t is as easy to be
man as mouse. 1t is as easy to have
friends as enemies-it is easier to have
both than to go through life like tar
bucket under wagon, humping over
stumps, or swinging right and left with
out a will of your own. Every one
can be something. There is enough to
do. There are forests to fell--rivers to
explore--cities to build--railroads to
construct-inventions to be studied
out-ideas to advance-men to con-
vert-countries to conquer--women to
love-ofices to be flled-wealth and
position to acquire name to win-a
Heaven to reach. Yes, my boy, there
is lots of work to do, and you and me
must do our share.
"The world is wide and its owner
is God. II you wish to be somebody,
pitch in. The brave always have
friends. Wherethereis viii. there is
way. And, Walter, my boy, if the
old track don't suit, make a new one,
somebody will walk it. Success is
never obtained in a country like this
without effort. II you fall down, get
up again. If it is dark, strike light.
IF you are in the shade, move around,
for il there is a shade on one side
there is sunshine on the other.
"If your seat is too hard to sit upon,
stand up. If rock rises up before
you, roll it away, blast it or climb over
il. If you want money, earn it. II
you wish for confidence, prove yourself
worthy of it, my boy. 1t takes longer
to skin an elephant than a mouse. bu
the skin is worth something. Dom
be content with doing what another
has done--beat it. II an enemy get'
in your way, knock him down or pitcf
him clear. Deserve success and it viii
come. The boy is not born a man.
The sun does not rise like rocket, o.
90 down like bullet fred from a gun
Slowly but surely it makes its rounds
and never tires. It is as easy to be ;
leader as a wheel-horse, and you arr
then always in town. If the job will
be long, the pay will be greater-if th'
task be hard the more competent yol
must be to do it.
"And then, my boy, always b
honorable. Keep your word or Civ
an excuse. If you owe man, pa,
him, if it takes the last shirt-tsil an,
all. If you can't pay you can say s
at once. Do to others as you woul
be done by-after that, as they do b
you. Punish enemies and rewsr
friends. If you do not punish enemies
none will fear you--if you never re
ward friends, we pity the sel6shness {
your heart. If you make promise
keep it. Play your hand or leave tn
table. II others betray you teach theI
better. but on no provocation betra
others. If you have secret keep
closely--if you have the secret of al
other, watch it even more closely ths
your own. There can be no excu:
for betrayal of con6dence-no apolC
gy that can be sufficient. If you are
hard luck, wear it out. II you ca
help a friend, always do it, if he
worthy--if you cannot, don't insu
him in the style Of refusal. A lit
act, word or lock, when the heart
sore, fingers as does the fragrance
the rose long after the vase is broke
Ifyou are right, stick to it. II wron
never be ashamed to own it. Ke
your head over water, no matter he
deep the stream or swift the current.
somebody will help you. Don't grul
ble-don't fret--don't whine. Do
whine. 1t is as easy to be cheerful
to snarl around, and good natured N
always make the handsomest corps,
Don't change your business eve
time you have the blues-change is I
always beneficial. If you have be
cheated, don't, to get even. cheat sol
one else. If you have made bad b
gain, don't stop trading, but try
make better one next time. II y
get in scrape, get out, and look clol