Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-08-06
Aicsellan,,.
For the Bellows Falls Times
That Old Coat


A great many young men seem to
have the idea, that if their father, or
somebody else, had left them an immense
fortune, they might possibly make their
mark in the world; but because they
have not been thus favored, they deter
mine to bottle up their ambition, 81:
down in the bar room, or loaf in the
store, until something shall turn up
Such young men seldom see anything if
it does turn up, and even if an opportu-
nifty is offered them to start in life favor
ably, they are generally too lazy or
shifiless to take advantage of it.
A large majority of the substantial
men of the world have climbed the hill
to success, unassisted by any rich uncle,
or aunt and they now stand on the top,
telling US that the path to the summit is
direct, but difficult.
Mr.. Adams, the Express King
one of Vermont's self made men-relates
the following facts concerning his success
in life:
At sixteen he was poor boy at thir-
ty-fve he was poor man but not, as
most men would be, was he discouraged
by his i'll fortune.
He resolved that it should never be
said Of him, that his life had been fail
ure. The efforts Of other men had been
crowned with success, -why not his?
The business in which he had been en-
gagged for some years previous to 1883,
had proved, as far as pecuniary interests
were concerned, anything but profitable
He therefore decided to give it up and
move to the West He did SO but in a
short time becoming thoroughly disgust
ed with that section Of the country, he
returned again to Boston.
Here, for some time he had no partic-
ular avocation, but little money, and
quite large family depending upon him
for support. 1t was difficult getting
along, but nevertheless he managed to
keep out of debt, and to this fact, he at
tributes much of his success in after life.
For long while nothing lucrative
seemed to present itself; and though he
was not ashamed of any honest calling,
his ambition urged him not to be con-
tent with shoveling dirt, peddling or
anges, or anything of the kind
Sometime after his arrival at Boston
he was walking down one of the princi-
pie streets of the city, when suddenly it
occurred to him that he had on an old,
and much worn overcoat, which, though
it was the best he could afford, looked
somewhat shabby, and he disliked to be
seen in it by the friends whom he would
be likely to meet on that street, and who
had known him in better circumstances
consequently he concluded to turn down
a less frequented street, and take round
about tour to his destination.
He had gone but a few rods when he
met Mr.. B, an old acquaintance of
his. He stopped to say a word to him,
and during the conversation Mr.. B
inquired of Mr.. Adams concerning his
affairs and his future prospects, and on
learning that he had no regular employ
ment, he exclaimed, You are Just the
man to 60 into the express business with
me. I'm looking for good steady fel.
low" IL should prefer to go into lon.
ger established concern than that" re-
piled Mr.. Adams, but | will think the
matter over, and decide in the course Of
a day or two"
Twice two days passed ere he found
himself in his friends office, and then h,
learned that he was just one day too
late. Mr.. b, concluding that hi
had decided not to engage in the bust
ness, offered the situation to Mr.. H., whS
accepted it.
Again Mr.. Adams was set adrift.-
But it SO happened that the rapid in
crease of business demanded that anoth
er line should be established, and Mr.
Adams was put in charge of this.
By his faithful adherence to duty, b,
his energy and resolution, he has gradu
ally risen to the high stand which h,
now occupies. And strange though i
may seem, that old coat opened to hin
the way to prosperity.
CARL Dick.
How TO KISS NUMBER OF Pref