Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-01-13
FLOATING or ROWING.
1t may be very pleasant to some
it is certainly a very lazy life, this
Floating down the ribcr,
I'm 10 "a -Ef-o -


1t is certainly a very lazy life, this
FLOATING down the riber,
On de Ohio"
The fact is, we float too much,
and we TOaC too little. Ii is this
floating, instead of rowing, which
draws us on and on to habits of in
dolence, unthrift, helplessness. "I
couldn't help it, - ''I can't" simply
mean floating. 81 can" and 81 will,n -
mean rOtCiRg. A young man will
start out in life, resolved on having
an easy time. He 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 situation as keeper of toll
gate-it is not hard work TO take
and make change, you know. Or,
failing this, he will offer his service
TO exhibit borse, a machine, or
take a situation in the custum house,
where the duties are light, hours
short, and pay enough to keep him
in liquor, tobacco and secondhand
clothing. He is not always expect
ed to pay his board, for is not his
''society" an ample equivalent for
what he eats, and place to sleep?
He sings songs, plays on q fiddle,
tells stories, and is entertaining. An
other young man of like aspirations
once Joined circus company, and
travelled for s time but il was too
hard work, this pulling up stakes,
and changing places so often. The
old anecdotes repeated by the clown
were learned by heart, and as he
was accustomed to do, were sEfired
off" for the amusements OF stable
boys, loafers, baF-rOOm loungers,
and other idlers. At one time he
whaling voyage. Here, he thought,
was an opportunity for long and
lazy voyage, with plenty to eat, and
but little work He returned after
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
sympathy and support. Poor fel-
low, the fates are against him, and
he resigns himself to a season of re-
pose. When rallied about what he
intends to do in the future, he re-
plies. 81 have nothing in view ;"
or Business is dull there is no
work 10 be done but if there were
ever so much, the pay is very poor;
and while the 'old man has any
thing left, prefer to stay with him;
| may as well have it as any one.0
''But do you not intend TO marry
and have home of your own ~
''NO. can scarcely support myself,
to say nothing of supporting fami-
ly. 1t costs me nearly all the change
| can pick up for tobacco and some
thing to drink" Poor fellow
what will he do for a home when
the old folks depart? lie has learned
no trade knows little or nothing of
business, and is floating towards the
poorhouse.
The young man who starts out in
life intent on working his way up"
expects to climb hills, overcome diff
ficulties, endure defeats, suffer re-
verses, and rOt0 against tide, cur
rents and breakers. But he will
never foat. lie hears the roar of
the cataract in the distance, and ex-
erts himself to keep clear Of it. 1t
is the lsZy floating boatman who is
carried over !
Parents owe il 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 to groS0-to grow
bodily rather than TO overtask thier
brains or nerves. Still, they may
must-be trained TO use their facul-
ties in order to make headway ia
life. OVer-indulgeuce is as fatal as
oYer-Work. Every boy and every
girl should be thoroughly impressed
with the factl that self-helpfulness is
a duty, that idleness is sin. 1t Is
true that
9'Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do"
Give your children short hours
for study; long hours for play, real
earnest and hearty play, and all the
time they need for perfect sleep
natures sweet restorer. 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, encour-
age, and help them through. Never
overload colt, or you spoil the
horse. Teach children that there is
real merit in achievements. 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 noun
tain, when in his way, or force his
way sup the rapids" instead OF ly-
ing Oh his oars and floating down
the stream. 1t requires energy
combativeness firmness, executive
ness, and ambition to eXceel-tO in
sure success in life. The absence of
these manly qualities leaves the
miserable creature among pitiable
imbeciles and helpless paupers.
Young man, whether are you ten
ding Are you standing still, drift
ing on the tide, or lazily floating
down the current Are you alrea-
DIV a miserable slave to nasty habitsf
Do you chew tobacco smoke to-
bacco snuff tobacco !? and drink /?
Or, are you still clean-mouthed,
pure-miRded 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, grow
ing in health, in'grace, and godliness,
and will leave the world somewhat
the better for having lived in it.
Choose We, whether you will float
or rotc your way through life, and
suffer the sorrows of misspent life,
or enjoy the happiness which comes
of obedience to the laws of Cod
| Psychological Journal
Newspaper work.