The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-03-28
How to Get on in Life.

young man writes to us that he has
had ten years office experience" we sup
pose as clerk or book-kecper, during
which time he has saved ''the sum total of
S75," which is his all. He wishes to set
tie In some "growing young town and grow
up with it." He is evidently sincere, and
his letter shows that he is not deficient in
ability, and has some good sense. We
therefore say to him, plainly, that success
in life does not como in that way. No man
finds fortune by chance, nor can he
grow" into state of prosperity merely by
planting himself in fresh virgin soil
Everything in life worth having is wrestled
for and acquired through severe labor and
self-denial.
1t is great mistake to suppose that the
failures Of aspirants in this line come from
adverse surroundings. Circumstances have
much less to do with material prosperity
than is generally supposed Favoring
conditions may accelerate the acquisition
of an estate, but the same application and
self denial will guarantee the final result
under any conditions. There are exccp-
tions, of course, but this is the rule A
man without family who has been toll
ing in New York for ten years and has laid
up but $75 would not "grow up" into any
thing better, even amid the stimulus of
that wonderful activity which marks the
youth of a thriving town. The accretion
that comes upon Il man who waits to grow
up by outward helps, is only the overlay-
ing of rust and canker that gnaw out the
vitals.
The true growth is that which come
from within, and employs every faculty in
the earnest effort. Nearly all of our young
men make the same mistake which our cor
respondent confssses-they spend too large
proportion Of their earnings for adorn-
ments and unhealthy indulgences of the
baser appetites. Fine clothes, icwelry,
cigars, liquors, pleasure hunting, and other
costly or vicious habits, waste no inconsid.
cradle portion of their annual income.
We heard man spoken of the other day
as one who had been remarkably "lucky"
in establishing himself in comfortable
home, and that was the only word used
to distinguish between him and an associ-
ate who had more brilliant talents, but
failed Of success. There was no luck in the
matter, for we knew them both. They
were both married, without children, and
each entering upon salary of 81 900 per
duuulI, WcHt dDVut tuc Sdlllc tlUlC 10 look
for board in Brooklyn. The unfortunate"
man took board for himself and wife at $40
per week, which he said was the cheapest
at which he could get comfortable room
in first-class house. The "lucky" man
looked for some time until he found clean,
healthy quarters in third story room at
81 week for the pair, his wife to do her
own sweeping and make her own bed
He lived within his income and laid up
money from the start; the other ran in debt
and became embarrassed from the same
hour.
There is no secret in such histories; he
who runs may read them. If any one as
sumes that the nobler part is to "enjoy life"
as we 60 ; and that the acquisition of an
estate, the foundation Of which is laid in
early selfdenial, and the structure built in
patient toll with the same prevalent spirit
ever present, is an ignoble ambition, we
shall not argue the case. But we do say
that those who desire this result can pursue
it safely and surely in no other way, and if
a man after knowing what it will cost, will
not pay the price for it, he should not
grumble at the fates, nor murmur against
discriminating Providence.