The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-20
Percy Rasnsden's ladder

sLTIClit epeakllE- Dc iueTlled lbal
title. or whether the phrase was used
by his parents merely a a figure Of
speech TO express their deep sense
Of Perey's shortcomings, we will
leave our readers 10 decide for them
selves after perusing what follows:
Now Percy" said Mr. Ramsden,
on the evening Of the day his son left
school for the holidays, I've got
few words TO say TO you, and hope
you'll listen very attentively."
Expecting TO be blown up for
something be had done and forgotten,
Percy started in logged silence atthe
fre-grate
I'VE are. just beginning another
year continued bis father, "and God
knows you've given mother and me
trouble enough during the last But
We mean to make change shortly
my boy, and | want TO prepare YOU
for IL"
Again Mr.. RamsdeE paused. and
bis son would have said "all right, "
only he thought he had better not
DO you know how old you are?"
So abruptly was the question ask
ed, that some seconds elapsed before
Percy could answer it.
"No-yes-I think I'm fourteen.
father, Ia: birthday"
"Anl when was last birthday -
October the twenty-fourth-"
Well. now, between YOU and me,
Percy, don't you fancy that. a. al
+ honest, healthy, intelligent youth,
over fourteen years Of age Its time
YOU were beginning to do something
for YOURSELF"
Determined TO be on the safe side,
if possible. Percy answered, Yes,
father
And what trade would YOU like
to learn"
Trade trade - such an idea
had never entered Perey,s head, so
all that he could say was that be
didn't know
Then you must think, and vel
talk again on the matter"
VERY well, father"
But there Is one thing | must tell
YOU added Mr. Rsmsden, which I
Is, that whatever trade you choose 10 4
follow, you viii either have to mount
certain ladder or STAY at the bottom
Of it.
Here Percy raised his ewes and .
looked puzzled
Il mean the ladder Of success, " con
tinued his father "and when you
put your foo; on the lowest round,
try and remember that where there's
a viii there's wav' and that, what
has once been done can be done
again"
I've written those words in nv
coPy-books many time, said Per-
cy.
Yes, but, / want YOU TO act them
in your life; so don't forget what
I've said, because | have spoken 1
mainly for your own good" /
Some months after their first con-
yersation on the subject Of work, Per
cv Ramsden and his father again
discussed the mOmentus question, and
il was finally decided that Percy
should be bound apprentice 10 4 cab
inet-maker.
But ] don't quite understand
about the ladder, Vet, father" he
said, when all had been settled
Then listen while ] make il as
plain as / can rejoined Mr. Rams
den, pleased 10 find that his words
were not forgotten. Il called it, if
YOU recolleet, the ladder Of success, /
did | not p
Yes. think So i
We'll, this same ladder Is placed
by Providence within the reach Of
every youth in the country. | do
not say that all poor boys may make
themselves rich men, but | do say
that they become usefel intelligent
and happy members Of society Now
when YOU 60 10 work, PERCY, yog
viii begin st the bottom Of the lad
der, after which your progress viii
depend upon yourself-bow you think
and act, and the sort Of habits YOU
form, and the kind Of life YOU lead.
II YOU are steadfsst in faith, truth
full in conduct, and diligent in busi-
ness, YOU viii grow up real Chris
tian and clever workman +; if yOu are
ihoughtless, idle, and vicious, your
time viii be spent 10 little purpoe ;
well, supposing-as / trust viii be I;
the case you make the best Of your
chance and try to live honestly and
purely before all men that viii be ,
the ladder of success. l
For though worldly people spell sue {
cess with { : d., the getting Of mon !
ev is no proof that a man has done !
well. On the contrary. many make
themselves rich and wretched al the &
same time In their neishbors' ewes j
thew have got TO the top Of ladder, &
but in the sight Of God they are grow
cling miserable at the bottom and I
why +; Because bappines@not rich
es-is the end and aim Of all Chris {
tan life. We are here only a few ]
years, to prepare for a world where I
goodness counts as everything and 1
money nothing. Do you understand
me ," t
Percy scratched bis head and an c
swered in the Affirmative.
We'll, then, what have TO add [
s." continued his father, get rich if
vou can by all fair and right means, '
out never sacrifice moral principle to ?
shysical profit Never do mean or a
action for the sake OF Il
yain, because whatever the amount t
If such gain NAV be, it VIII have to 5
De left behind, while your meanuess b
viii go with you into eternity. To /:
De temperate, honest, piOus and IN G
iustrious is, therefore, the way 10 b
mount the ladder Of success and
very temptation resisted, and evil de-
ire or passion triumphed over, marks 4
IN upward step in the climbers jour ;
II