The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-05-16
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~ - PON'' ""i e'"u inal W BeuCle-
man who was Fastening homewards
through the streets in the great city one
bitter cold night. "Spare a copper, sir,
and God will bless you"
Struck with the fellows manner and
appearance, the gentleman replied:
"You look as if you had seen better
days. II you will tell me candidly
what has been your greatest failing
through life, I'll give you enough
money to pay your lodging"
Il am afraid l could hardly do that" /"
the beggar answered, with a mournful
smile.
TRY man, try" added the gentle.
man. "Here's shilling to sharpen
your memory; oaly be sure you speak
the truth"
The man pressed the coin tightly in
his hand, and after thinking for nearly
a minute said
"To be honest with you, then, be-
lieve my greatest fault has been in
learning to kill time.' When I was a
youngster, 1 had kind loving parents,
who let me do pretty much as 1 liked !;
so became idle and careless, and never
once thought of the change whioh was
IN store for me. In the hope that I
should one day make my mark in the
world, was sent to college; but there l
wasted my time in idle dreaming and
expensive amusements, If | had been
poor boy, with necessity staring me
in the face, l think should have done
better. But somehow 1 fell into the no.
tion that life was to be one continued
holiday. 1 gradually became fond of
wine and company. In few years
my parents both died; and you can guess
the rest. soon wasted what little
they left me; and now it Is too late to
combat my old habits. Yes, sir, idle
ness ruined me-"
"I believe your story" replied the
gentleman; "and when get home,
will tell it to my own boys as warm
ing. l am sorry for you, indeed am.
But 1t is never too late to reform. Come
to my office tomorrow and let me try
to inspire you with fresh courage"
And giving the man another piece of
money. and indicating where he could
be found, he hurried away.
Never "kill time" boys. He is your
best friend. Use him well. Don't let
him slip through your fingers when you
are young, as the beggar did. The
days of your boyhood are the most pre-
cious you will ever see. The habits
you get into will stick to you like wax.
If they are little ones, life will be a
pleasure, and above all a success-I
mean true success. You may not grow
rich, but your life will be real success.
nevertheless.
If, on the contrary, you waste your
early years, live for fun only, trae
with your opportunities, you will find
after while that your life is failure
yes, even II you should be as rich as
GGsus.
One of the sadest things Is to meet
man who has let golden opportunities 60
by him just entering the battle of life,
yet entirely united for his position. He
Is to be pittied, and yet blamed. In this
favored land every one can learn to read
and write, for instance. But how OIL
ten we meet young men utterly unable
to write dozen lines correctly. Be
assured, young friends, it will be a
source of shame to you as men If you
do not pay attention to education as
boys.
The world is full of good books to
read. You are surrounded with friends
and relatives. Be warned in time, and
coin happiness and honor in the future
from the industry of the present, and
you will not have to read this page in
vain.