South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-05-12
Successful Men.

A FEW days since, the head of one OF
our most prominent banking firms pro-
! ceeded to Washington. He was accom-
panied by an amanuensis, who wrote in
shorthand as be opened letters and dictat-
ed to him. When half of the journey was
accomplished, the stenographer returned
to New York to write out in full and dis
patch the answers to correspondents, and
the banker was Joined by asecond, to whom
he dictated during the remainder OF the
trip. But few years ago, this now mil
lionaire, whose name is familiar to every
one, was poor farmers boy. He began
life with no rich or influential friends to
aid him, but was wholly dependent upon
his own exertions He, however, possess
ed stout heart and a resolute purpose,
and determined to inprOUe eUsry moment
| The incident we have recorded above was
result of this determination adhered to,
and reveals the secret of his great success
Though he has hundreds of subordinates
to do his bidding, and could devote him
self wholly to ease and enjoyment, he yet
labors constantly, not permitting even
hours of travel to pass unimproved. And
what is true of this individual, will be
found to be true of all successful self-made
men. They have begun their careers with
keen realization of the importance OF
time, and of the necessity of making every
moment tell, if they would achieve pros
perity and eminence. Those who wait
upon luck, or a stroke Of good fortune, to
carry them forward, will never make pro-
gress, however great may be their abilities.
The Greater gives brains," declared
Montesquieu, but he does not guarantee
them"
There is story told of landholder,
who, unable 10 make a living from his
farm, and steadily running behindhand,
leased half of 1t to peasant for period of
years. At the end of the time, the tenant
came to him with an offer to purchase.
Greatly surprised, the owner replied:
" This is exceedingly strange pray tell me
how it happens that, while l could not live
upon twice as much land, for which paid
no rent, you are regularly paying me two
hundred year for your farm, and are able
in few years to purchase it." The peas
ant replied The reasen is plain-yOu
sat still, and said, co. got up, and said,
come you lay in bed and enjoyed your eS-
tate / rose in the morning, and minded my
business" There is very much sound
sense in this homely response. While the
great mass of humanity take the world
more " grist does not come to their mill,
a few are at work early and late, improving
every moment, and they ultimately achieve
financial success.
The same is true of those engaged in
other than strictly business pursuits. No
matter what may be their surroundings,
their advantages or disadvantages of birth,
they are the successful men who look upon
time as precious, and permit no odd mo-
ments to go to waste. Elihu Burritt, while
pursuing the avocation of a blacksmith,
mastered eighteen languages and twenty
two European dialects. Hale wrote his
CONCENTRATIONS while travelling on his cir
cult. Samuel Smiles tells US that one of
his friends, an eminent gentleman of
London, learned Latin and French while
" running bundles" as an errand-boy in
Manchester. DR.. Mason Good, he adds,
translated Lucretius while riding about
the streets ofLOndOn on professional Vi=its
" DR.. Darwin composed nearly all his
works in the same way, while driving
about in his sulky from house to house in
the country-writing down his thoughts
on little scraps of paper, which he carried
about with him for the purpose. DR..
Burney learned French and Italian while
proceeding from one musical pupil to
another in the course of his profession
Kirk White acquireda knowledge of Greek
while walking to and from lawyers
Office. Daguesseau, one ofthe great chan
cellors of France, wrote bulky and able
volume in the successive intervals of wait
ing for dinner; and Madame De Genlis
composed several of her charming volumes
while waiting for the Princess to whom
she gave her daily lessons. Stephenson
taught himself arithmetic and mensuration
while working as an engine-man during
the night-shifts" Watt taught himself
chemistry and mechanics while working
at his trade of a mathematical instrument
maker, at the same time that he was learn
ing German from Swiss dyer.
And so we might go on, were it neces-
sary, enumerating instances of what indl-
viduals have achieved by employing all
their time. Generally speaking, the differ
ence between those who succeed and those
who do not succeed, may almost be said to
represent the difference between those
who improUe their odd moments and those
who do not.-Hedrth and Home.