Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-11-05
Ghildren'5 Department.
[t'rigill;'l.l
BE POSTED.

1t often happens that young men, and even
old men, appear to disadvantage in company
from the fact that the subjects that are in
troduced for conversation, are those to which
they have not directed their attention. A
young mans or i young woman's position in
society is often dependant upon the merest
trihes A mote often turns the scale in their
favor or against them. If youth is so for
tunate as to secure the decision of society i'll
his favor, he has nothing afterward to do but
retain that favor but if the decision is against
him, it will be long time before merit will
prevail against prejudice, and it will cost him
much toiling and sweating. Now it is posi-
lively wrong for any one, old or young, to
appear to be what he is not; but it is wrong
also not to appear what he really is. The
consciousness of being talented, and learned,
and virtuous, is source of great happiness ;
but talent and learning and virtue concealed,
are like gold in the veins of the rock. 1t is
gold-the most precious of the metals but
of no use until brought out, and by art adapt
ed to the many uses for which it is employed
So it is with rare natural endowments and
laudable requirements. The simple fact that
an individual is naturally possessed Of good
sense, and that his natural endowments have
been cultivated, amounts to very little, either
to the world or the individual posscssor.
How, then, must a young man do to let it be
known that he has good mind, and that his
mind has been properly trained? Must he
tell every company to which he is introduced
that he has a mind capable of solving mystic
ries, and that It's an evidence Of his cultiva-
ton, must he make it known that he has been
to this school and that school that he has
studied this book and that book No; such
course would be certain to have the very
opposite effect Of that desired. The general
conclusion would be that he was either born
fool or a learned fool. What, then, must he
do? This can be better answered by All ex-
ample than in any other way.
One Of the most illustrous statesmen Amer
lea has ever produced, commenced his career
as lawyer in an obscure country village
He made it Il poiut, before going into compa-
ny, to prepare himself thoroughly upon some
particular subject. For days previous he
would think about it and read about it until
his mind became full of it. Having entered
the company, it mattered not whether it CON.
sisted of old men or young men-of ladies or
gentemeu-whether it was marriage or
funeral, he managed adroitly to introduce
the subject upon which he had been thinking.
The result was that from the moment the
subject was introduced, he did the talking,
and the rest of the company did the listening.
Every one concluded that he was young
man of no ordinary talents and attainments.
A brilliant career was predicted to be await
ing him in the future. He was soon chosen
legislator, and not long after senator, in his
native State, then United States SENATOR and
in this position of honor he lived and died.
Now there is every reason to conclude that
the individual referred to owed much Of his
success in life in the various positions which he
held from the stroke Of policy thus briefly
related No doubt there were many young
lawyers of his day equally as talented and as
learned as he was; but they never so managed
as to concentrate their talents and learning.
No one found out the fact that they were
talented and learned. If a young man wants
to make good impression on others, he must,
in prudent way, force others to listen to
him ; compel them to follow him. He must
teach them not be taught by them.
Another example illustrative of the general
subject is at hand. Many years ago-thirty-
five or forty, perhaps-a young man was in
college. In his class there was young man
who made but slow progress in mathematics.
His habit was to go for help to the young
man first referred to. The result was that in
order to be able to render the assistance de-
sired, he devoted more attention to his math
ematcal studies. Soon aid was desired by
all his class and by many individuals in other
classes. 1t was generally rumored that this
individual was the best mathematician in the
college. A few years after he graduated, he
was elected professor Of mathematics, and
still retains the position, and is likely to re-
tain it until lie dies or resigns. Posting him
self so that he might be able to render assist
ancc to his college mates, paved the way to a
professors chair. In all probability there
were many boys in college who possessed more
natural endowments than he, but they neg
ected to post themselves, and the result will
be that they will die and no one will know
anything about their mental powers.
THE BEARER OF BURDENs.-There were
three men walking up a steep hill, each very
tired, with a heavy burden on his back.
Then there stepped up to them strong, kind
man. who said to them, "Lct me take your
burdens l will carry them for you" But
the first man said, "I have no burden" for he
had carried his burden SO long that it seemed
like his clothes, or like part Of his body, so
that he did not feel it, and did not know how
much better he could walk without it. So
the first man would not have his burden
touched
The second man was very selfish and un-
kind to himself, and he thought all other
people must be selfish and unkind, so he said,
You want to play me me:trick ; | do not
believe you want to carry my burden; l will
not let you touch it."
The third man was very tired indeed and
was saying to himself, ooh! who can help
me? for feel that l cannot carry this terrible
weight any further" and when he felt the
stranger touch him on the shoulder, and offer
to take his burden, he said at once, "lt is