The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-03
AShort Lesson for Young People


repeat for the benefit of our young friends.
Years ago there lived in Florence youth
whose appearance on the streets was quite
tidy and genteel, and whose bearing was
graceful and manly. Our informant made
his acquaintance, and called one morning
early to see him. The door was frankly
opened, and the visitor found his young
acquaintance employed in the most remark
able work. A small urn-Shaped (all Flor
ence abounds in classic things vessel, con-
tanning liquid blacking-possibly made
for shoes-was near him on the table upon
which his only cloth dress coat was spread
out. With brush he was applying the
backing to this coat with earnestness and
skill. TO question from the guest, he re-
piled that his coat was threadbare and
faded, aud ii was by this process that he re-
stored the color and screened the poverty
stricken surface of the garment from obser-
walton. "When I return home at night"
said he, "with my rattan I dust it well
"from the backing Of the morning, and
".the next day it is re-applied. thus keep
sup appearances, and by dint of great care
Gin my department, avoiding rubbing
"against any one, or walls, or the backs Of
"chairs, nobody detects my subterfuge to
"maintain decent Appearance
4 device so ingenious, under circum-
stances so Strengthened, exceeded little
in originality anything we had heard of,
and we inquired of our informant whether
he knew the fate of that youth, and what
it was. He answered: "He is one of the
most famous physicians and men Of science
in Europe" 1t was not surprising. Llv-
ing in the poorest possible manner in Flo
rence-preserving under the sharpest adj
versity as well his self-respect as good ap-
pearance, and at the same time pursuing
with devotion the studies of the profession
he had chosen, he was almost certain of
success. We can hardly imagine failure In
the attempts to rise in that way as long as
health and physical strength sufficient lasts.
The lesson is excellent. 1t is whole
volume of moralizing and counsel in nut
shell. Thousands who have failed, had they
steadily and manfully practiced the
self-denial and resolution of this now IA
nous savant, would have triumphed over
adversely, and lived to win independence
and honor for themselves, and become
ornaments to society. One Of the most
famous Journalists this country has pro-
duced lived the life Of extreme poverty for
years. A crust and glass of water formed,
at least, two of his daily meals. One morn
ing friend called to see him, and, holding
the door little ajar, he conversed briefly
with him through the opening, and babe
him good morning. Years afterwards that
friend inquired why it was he treated him
so rudely on that occasion. He answered
| that he was at his breakfast of bread and
water, and was ashamed to expose his utter
poverty.
The fortitude and selt-denial which will
carry young man through trials such RS
| these, will win both success and fame.
Youth, endowed with faith and energy
such US these stories exhibit, cannot be
kept down. They become the really great
and controlling spirits of every land. We
commend their example to our young
| friends.