The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-08
Mlstellal1eous.
SUCCESS IN LIFE.

There is much truth in the following lcc-
ture, which practical man is supposed to
give his son:
"yaltor, my boy, do you realize that each
year the grave is nearer you than before
that unless you are active, the season of life
will close before even half your self-allottcd
contract will have been performed, unless,
like too many people, you have no aim-no
hope-no ambition beyond picking your teeth
after dinner? Half of tho world-yes, Val
ter more than half, so to the reception'room
of eternity without any object in life-as
drift wood floats down stream, gained by
the current and lodging against the first OBJ.
structions. And what is DRIFT wood, my boy
Once in while good stick Of timber ID
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 tho
stick will ever bring, even in an active mar
ket.
"lIavo purpose, my boy. Live for some
thing. Make up your mind what you will be,
and be it, or die in tho attempt. This is u
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 big load.
Don't star, of in life as sheep.dog does,
without knowing where you are going to-
Load for the game you are hunting for. 1t
is rs easy to have friends as enemies-it is
easier to have both than to go through life
like a tar bucket under u Wagon, humping
over stumps, or swinging right and left with
out will of your own. Every one can SEQ
something. There is enough to do. There arc
forests to fcll-rivers to explore-cities to
build-railroads to onstruct-invention to
be studied out-ideas to advance-men to
convert-women to love-oflices to be filed
wealth and position to acquirc--a name to
win-a Heaven to reach. Yes, my boy, there
is lots Of work to do, and you and we must
do our share.
1.-The world is wide, and its owner is God.
If you wish to be somebody, pitch in. The
brave always have friends. Where there is
a will there is way. Where others have
gone, you can 90. And, Walter, my boy, il
the old track don't suit, make a new one
somebody will walk in it. Success is never
obtained in country like this without effort.
II you fail once, try again. If you fall down,
get up again. If dark, strike light. II
you are in the shade, move round. for II there
is shade on one side there is sunshine on
the other.
"lf your seat is hard to sit upon, stand up.
If rock rises up before you, roll it away,
blast il or climb over it. II you want mon-
ey. earn it. Ifyou wish for confidence, prove
yourself worthy Of it, my boy. 1t takes lon.
ger to skin an elephant than mouse, but the
skin is worth something. Don't be content
with doing what another has donc-beat it..
II an enemy gets in your way knock him
down or pitch him clear. Deserve success
and it will come. The boy was not born a
man. The sun does not rise like rocket or
20 down like bullet fred from gun. Slow
ly it makes its rounds, and never tires. IL
is as easy to be leader rs wheel horse,
and you are always in town. II the job he
long the pay will be greater-it the task BE-
hard the more competent you must be to do it..
"And then, my boy, always be honorable.
Keep your word or give an excuse. II you
owe man, pay him, If it takes the last shirt
tail and all. IL you can't pay, say so ut
once. Do to Others as you would be done by
after that US they do by you. II you do
not punish enemies, none will fear you-ii
you never reward friends, we pity the selfish
ness Of your heart. II you make promise,
keep It. Play your hand or leave the table.
IL Others betray you, teach them better, but
on no provocation betray Others. lf you have
a secret, keepi it closely-if you have the So
cret Of another, watch it more closely than
your own. There can be no excuse for be-
trayal Of confdence-no apology that can be
sufficient. If you are in hard luck, wear it
out. If you can help friend, always do it,
IL he is worthy-if you cannot. don't insult
him in the style Of refusal. A little net, word
or look, when the heart is sore, fingers rs
does the fragrance of the rose long after the
vase is broken. II you arc right, stick to it
If wrong, never be ashamed to own it
Keep your head above water, n6matter how
deep the stream or swift the current-some
one will help you. Don't grumble-don't
frct-don't whine Dogs whine. It is as
easy to bc cheerful as to snarl around, and
good-naturcd men always make the hand
soonest corpses.
"Don't change your business every time
you have the blues-change is not always ben.
e6cial. II you have been cheated, don't try
to get even by cheating some one else If you
have made bad bargain. don't stop trading,
but try to make better one next time; il