Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-19

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about Il. Some believe that there are
spirits, or sprites, whose power interlaces
these events upon the calendar Of Nature.
Others seem to believe that in the vast
realm of Nature events are floating about
like notes in sunbeams, and that men
accidentally stumble upon them. Some
people believe 1t to be crook in the
grain of things, some men being born and
destined TO fulfil some mischievous
DEGREES. "Do what they will, they can
never escape ill-luck." Were some mems
notions analyzed, should not wonder if
it were found that they still believe luck
to be personal being, as Puck. or Ariel,
who spent their time in playing tricks
upon men, good or bad, according to their
peculiar fancy.
But dismissing all these notions, there
are several pieces Of general good or i'll
luck which have much to do with special
luck that bcfalls men. count it piece
of prime and admirable luck TO be born OF
parents who had sound physical constitu-
tons, ample brains, well proportioned
and balanced, living in moderately circum-
stlnces. Next to this, is to be brought
up in simplicity, among people kind and
just, and under circumstances which
require one TO exert himself actively, so
that he shall never expect to have any
thing which he does not himself earn.
Lastly, and as n consequence of these, it
is supreme good luck to have patient
nature. too proud to do evil, and not
proud enough to take offense at the COM
mon experiences of life; rs contented as
is consistent with enterprise, and above
all, with unwasting good nature.
This last quality-good nature--is per-
haps the most desirable of all, in so far as
happiness is concerned. Every one
knows that it is the sugar in fruit that
gives it its palatableness, and that converts
its juices into wine. Good nature is TO
human dispositions what sugar is to
grapes.
A robust and cheerful natut hardly
knows the difference between good ang
bad luck. Some things, which extort
piteous complaints of bad luck from his
neighbors, befall him without exciting
more than moments attention-just as
healthy man does not feel chilly gust
which sets an invalid into shivers.
Ill luck in petty affairs is only another
name for want of foresight, unskilliul-
ness, poor Judgment, clumsy handedness,
lack of spring and enterprise. Few men
are willing to say that their own blnnders,
negative or positive, return upon their
own heads. Luck is to them fortunate
word. Luck is a word that hides mans
inefficiency from himself, and saves his
pride.
Every one Of US has lucky and unlucky
days. Too much excitement, late hours,
late eating. poor sleep, and too little OF
it, bring on mornings full OF depression
blue days, in which everybody and every
thing seems wrong. This is simple
case in which respectable dissipation has
put the whole instrument by which man
works his brain and nervous system out
of adjustment. His mistakes are no more
surprising than would be mechanics
who worked by false rule, or a chemists
who measured by incorrect standards.
BY and by, rest, diet, and good habits
restore the equilibrium, and then comes n
sparkling day of good luck. Halfthe Ia
Dor produces twice the ordinary results.
We meet the very person we desire to see.
Everything goes on rightly. The world
is propitious.