Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-01
THE RUTLAND HERALD
SATURDAY, MAY 81, 1871.
The shifting scenes of Life.

The realities of life are full of admon-
ition. The events that pass before our
eyes in few years, the changes that take
Mace, the characters that are developed
will, if read rightly, be found full of prac-
teal knowledge, and calculated not only
to warn but direct. We are prone to over
look the ordinary circumstances of exist
ence, to be startled by results without
tracing out the causes. 's~
The philosophy of life is understood by
few. 1t is praoticed by still fewer. We
do not live 30 az best to provide for our
general aud lifelong happiness, but in
most cases for the qualification OF moment
airy wishes, desires appetites and objects.
The Young men, when they start upward
and onward on the hillside of life, are
naturally buoyant, gay and cheerful. I'm
sgination colors and brightens--they have
little to regret in the past, and hasten on
their way gladstone. When, however
they reach middle life, or point beyond,
and pause for moment with the purpose
in view of ascertaining their real portion
ani prospects, they begin to realize that
there il much of shadow az we'll as sun
shine in human existence--that men are
fslse, corrupt and treaoherous-that evil
principles still prevails to fearful xtent
and thus feeling of sadness and dis.
satisfaction steals into their hearts. When
too, as it often happens, themselves de-
ceived and betrayed by those who they
tried and trusted; or when after having
toiled for years to secure some cherished
object, they awake in disappointment and
uortifcatiop, none can wonder that for
the moment they should grow misan.
thropic and view with distrust all their
frllowmeu.
II is Mt such seasons that kind, en-
.eoursging word is all important. The
struggling youth and man should be
taught that life is full of changes-that
the brightest morning is preceded by the
darkest night-that time, faith, and ener-
KY sbould ever be inculcated and prac-
ticed with spirit of more determination
than when the heart appears disposed to
shrink and cover before the tempest Of
the world.
Look through society. Mark tie
changes that have taken place within a
few years--ten, fifteen or twenty. Yon-
der passes a citizen who five years ago
was bankrupt-overwhelm with debt,
and as is too often the case undo, like
circumstances without credit and cha
raoter sullied by suspicion. HIS creditors
had lost by Ssnd hence suspected him.
hastily, bitterly aoessed him of fraud.
For time he was stung to the vitals
To be unfortunate, he thought was bad
enough, but TO be assailed and reviled be-
cause of his misfortune-he felt was cruel
Bat what should he do. Should he yield
10 the storm, abandon the commercial
walks OF life, become an idler or by living
down his oaluminators endesvor to regain
his character and thus a nav foothold in
society. The latter couass was adopted.
and pursued with IsNiping energy. No
opportunity was lost to convinca Ito sus-
letting and defaming that they were
wropg--and although for u time the effort
was unsucoe ssful,it triumphed in the end.
Tn one instance now in mind leading
capitalist wto had been sadly emhittered,
WAS convinced that he had done the I'M
fortunate gross injustice. He was high
mir ded and generous l.earted man-and
- soon as the conviation was forced upon
him, that he bad 'oeen assisting to crush
still further ceslly honorable but unfor-
tunate fellow-roap, reaction took place
in bis feeling. He sent for the debtor
spologizs2 for his conduct and proffered
liberal assistance. 1t was accepted. A
new start in life was thus obtained-the
clouds disappeared-the sunshine of pros
perity grew brighter and brighter and
the bankrupt of only five years ago is
now full on his feet-with q resuscitated
character-high hopes and pleasant
path before him.
Perhaps the three men standing to-
eeher before yonder substantial edifice,
each worth an hundred thousand dollars,
were ten years ago not worth es many
cents. They, at that time, hit upon a
happy thought-ventured upon a new
terprise-prosecutsd it day and night
with indefatigable zeal, and the result is
before the world.
And these are not rare instances; the
changes are as numerous as ever. Life is
full of shifting scenes; but to take ad-
vantage of them the anxious and adven-
turous must have their thoughts about
them. They must watch, think, calcu-
late--snd having at least determined, they
must be prepared to act with energy. Let
one despond and despair over one or two
reverses, and all will soon be over with u.s.
Integrity, activity. faith, energy, and any
reasonable undertaking may be accom-
plished.