Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-04-30

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in a circle. 1t mattered not
which oar he pulled the result
was the same, there was no for
ward movement. Now, says he,
we will try them both together,
and as the oars dipped into the
water the skiff bounded onward
like thing of life. Now let
the advocates of fatality make
the application and practically
demonstrate its truth, and we
will hear no more of fate or its
consequences. The path to sue
cess and usefulness is open to
all, but so circumsclibed that
few find entrance. Hoping to
enter while the tide is up they
make no effort in that direction
and failure is a necessary con-
sequence. We will cite an in
cident Of real life testifying in
favor Of the position we are
contending for, and fully estab-
fishes the fact that all we are
and have is the result of effort.
And though some features of
the incident are iudicrous, the
moral is nevertheless the same.
A youth of our acquaintance
on a certain occasion went armed
and equipped in pursuit of a
flock Of wild turkeys whose
trail he had accidentally discov-
cred. With eager steps he has
tened on, his heart moving more
rapidly than his feet while his
fingers clenched tightly his IA
vorite foTling piece. Sudden
ly he came upon the desired
prize feeding leisurely along
unconscious Of the presence Of
the famous hunter, who now
stood gazing after them wishing
he had his gun and abusing him
self for not being more thought
ful, wondering If lie could go
home and return before the tur-
keys would leave, when uncon-
sciously ne began audibly to
discuss his fate. "Just my
luck. Everything is againt
me; never did succeed at any
thing | undertook. No such
chance as this will ever present
itself again, aud now the cove
ted prize iswithin my reach there
is not even a stone with which to
try my skill. Neither always had
her fears about re. Said never
did like the other children when
I was small, that always played
by myself, seemingly in pursuit
of something | would never
realize. And my father used
to say that the chickens crowed
and the dogs howled and the
whippoorwil kept up a continual
fuss ali night when [ was born.
Nothing but disappointment
meet me at every step ] take,
and ] might as well be dead as
alive any how" During all
this time he had kept his eyes
upon the tempting prize which
tended to increase his excite
ment. Fate was written upon
everything he saw, there was
nothing in store for him but dis
appointment and despair. At
this juncture he stamped vio-
lently upon the ground and ut
cred imprecations upon his fate,
which so frightened the turkeys
that they lifted themselves into
the air like a cloud and were
soon out Of sight. And there
he stood with his musket in his
hands loaded to the brim, look
ing in the direction the birds
had gone. cursing his luck and
wishing he had his gun.
Now, Mr.. Editor, when man
resolves to accomplish an object
and puts forth the necessary eff
fort, using the necessary means,
success will crown his efforts
and victory will perch upon his
standard. There is a period in
the history of every man which
to a certain extent fixes his des-
tiny. This period is called the
crisis, which if passed without
any fxedness of purpose or def
mite rule of action for. future
life, generally fixes the probable
status Of the man, and the rest is
easily known. This crisis hangs
pretty closely about the age of
20. Much depends upon the
direction given the conduct of
the child as to the state of mind
with which this period will be
passed. If the child is taught
the Importance of truth and hon
esty he is not apt to go astray
upon these points when he ar
riyes at years of manhood to
enoaoe in the battles of life