South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-07-07
Floating or Row ings
IT may be very pleasant to some-it IS
certainly a very lazy life, this
FLOATING down the riber,
On de O-hi-0n

IT may be very pleasant to some-it is
certainly a very lazy life, this
FLOATING down the riber,
On de Ohio"
The fact is, we float too much, and we
ron too little. 1t is this floating, instead OF
rowing, which draws US on and on to
habits of Incidence, unthrift, helplessness.
Il couldn't help it," Il can't, simply
mean floating. Il can" and II will, u"
mean rOuing. A young man will start out
in life, resolved on having an easy time. lie
keeps this as he keeps no other resolution.
He shuns real work, and seeks a position
as bartender in a drinking saloon, or as a
stage or carriage driver, so that he can
ride rather than walk; or he seeks a situa-
ton as keeper of a toll gate-itis not hard
word to take and make change, you know.
Or, failing this, he will offer his service to
exhibit a horse, a machine, or take a stu
alton in the custom house, where the du-
ties are light, hours short, and pay enough
to keep him in liquor, tobacco and second
hand clothing. He is not always expected
to pay his board, for is not his society" an
ample equivalent for what he eats, and q
place to sleep9 He sings songs, plays on
a fiddle, tells stories, and is entertaining.
| Another Young man of like aspirations
| once Joined a circus company, and Travelled
for a time; but it was too hard work, this
pulling up stakes, P" and changing places
so often. The old anecdotes repeated by
the clown were learned by heart, and as
he was accustomed to do, were " fired off
for the amusement of stable-boys, ~loafers,
bar-room lOungers, and other idlers. At
one time he concluded that he would go
on a whaling voyage. Here, he thought,
was an opportunity for a long and lazy
voyage, with plenty to eat, and but little
work. He returned after a three years
trip, sharing the luck of all lazy fellows,
having got more experience than oil. He
returned once more to his friends, and now
relates his hardships, and begs for symps-
thy and support. Poor fellow, the fates
are against him, and he resigns himself to
a season of repose. When rallied about
what he intends to do in the future, he re-
plies. 81 have nothing in view :" or Bust
ness is dull; there is no work to be done;
but if there were ever so much, the pay is
very Dcor and while the old man has
anything left, l prefer to stay with him; l
may as well have it as any one. " "But do
you not intend to marry and have a home
of your own?" mo; l can scarcely
support myself, to say nothing of support
ing a family. 1t costs me nearly all the
change l can pick up for tobacco and some
thing to drink" Poor fellow what will
he do for a home when the old folks de-
part? He has learned no trade; knows
little or nothing of business, and is float
ing on towards the poorhouse.
The young man who starts out in life in
tent on working his way up" expects to
climb hills, overcome difficulties, endure
defeats, suffer reverses, and TOD against
tide, currents and breakers. But he will
never float. He hears the roar of the cata-
ract in the distance, and exerts himself to
keep clear of it. 1t is the lazy floating
boatman who is carried overl
Parents owe it to their children to wake
up, call out, and develop the latent powers
with which they are endowed. We grant
that the first duty, or business, or privilege,
of childhood is { qTO1-to grow bodily
rather than to overtask their brains or
nerves. Still, they may-must-be trained
to use their faculties In order to make
Roadway in life. Over-indulgence is as
fatal as over-work. Every boy and every
girl should be thoroughly impressed with
the fact that self-helpfulness is a duty, that
idleness is a sin. 1t is true that
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do"
Give young children short hours for
study long hours for play, real earnest
and hearty play. and all the time they
need for perfect sleep-nature's sweet re
storer. Lay out their work or studies, and
see that they do it; so also their play and
their sleep. If hard tasks be given to
children, stand by them, encourage, and
help them through. Never overload a
colt, or you spoil the horse. Teach chill
dren that there is real merit in achieve
ments. One success will be followed by
another; and when the boy becomes a
man, he will go through, not around, a
hard task. He will tunnel the mountain,
when IN his way, or force his way ''up the
rapids" instead of lying on his oars and
floating down the stream. 1t requires en-
ergy-combativeness, firmness, executive
ness, and abolition to eXcel-to insure sue
cess in life. The absence of these manly
qualities leaves the miserable creature
among pitiable imbeciles and helpless
paupers.
Young man, whittier are you tending?
Are you standing still, drifting on the
tide, or lszily floating down the current?
Are you already a miserable slave to nasty
habits? Dc you chew tobacco? smoke
tobacco? snuff tobacco? and drink? Or,
are you still clean-mouthed, pure-minded
and unperverted? In the one case you
are on the road which leads to dissipation,
disease, crime, and premature death in the
other-if you live right you will rise in
life, become a useful, successful, honored,
and worthy citizen, growing in health, in
grace, godliness, and will leave the world
somewhat the better for having lived in it.
Choose We, whether you will float or roo
your way through life. and suffer the sor-
rows of a misspent life, or enjoy the hap
piness which comes of obedience to the
laws of God.-PhreaOLOgicGl Journal.