Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-06-18
The Element or PIuck.~

A WRITER in the american Agrtcult4rtst
says:
People in pecuniary misfortune, in es.
timating their liabilities and resources,
seldom consider among the latter the
element of pluck. The tendency with
nearly all unfortunates is to magnify
difficulties and underrate or wholly for
get their power to overcome them. A
man in good health, with unsullied char.
acter, need fear no evil, nor be robbed OF
his happiness, no matter how adversely
things may appear. If he is heavily in
debt and can satisfy the community that
he is straining every nerve and appro.
priating all his resources to discharge
his obligations, there is no danger of his
losing wellearned reputation, and there
is no reason why he should not be cheer
full in his family and joyous in his own
heart. The self-consciousness of integ.
rity, coupled with the approving smile
of the Father above, should enable aman
to face every foe and surmount every
difficulty. If instead of burdensome debt
he is overtaken by fire or flood, so that
the accumulated comforts of years are
swept away in an hour, he gains nothing
by sitting down, folding his arms and
weeping over his misfortune. "Up and
at it" is familiar, but expressive,
phrase. Pluck is lever that upheaves
difficulties. Before a resolute man the
green withes of adversely snap like
threads of tow. 1t is not enough that a
man in trouble has ply sical force to exc
cute and mental clearness to plan, but
behind both he needs the impellinp
power of pluck. The steam-engine may
be ever so perfect and bright, the en-
gineer ever so competent, but both
would be unavailable to draw the long
line of cars if steam were lacking. Pluck
is to man what steam is to the railway
train.
A farmer a short time ago came to a
well-known citizen for advice. He was
in low spirits,S ,Smatters had gone wrong
with him through loans to friends and
speculations outside of his farming busi
ness, until his debts became exceeding,
ly burdensOme. Unaccustomed to such
Interruptions in his hitherto unwavering
success, his spirits gave way. BrOoding
over his troubles he became morose and
gloomy. He had no cheerful words for
family or friends. He allowed trifling
causes to keep him from church, and in
stead of listening to the announcement
of the Gospel he moped on Sundays
around his house and barns. Wherever
he went he carried "hang-dog look y
and whatever he did was done feebly,
as though strength and ambition were
both gone. In this condition of things a
friend advised him to open his mind ia
the citizen above mentioned, whose long
familiarity with trials made him capable
both of sympathy and counsel. The
conversation soon developed the fact
that the farmer owned q property worth
$4,000, that his entire indebtedness
did not exceed $4,000, and that
his income exceeded his outgoes, in
cluding interest on his indebtedness
by $1,000. Why" said the citizen,
"haye you been dIsheartened over
such condition of affairs as thisi
What surplus of $4,000 and net In.
come of $1,000 year TO apply TO youI
debts, which will grow less and less
burdensome as successive payments are
made. Why, my friend, thousands OF
poor fellows struggling with debts with.
out any surplus income would be happy
TO step into your shoes and sing like a
lark over their good fortune. There is
but one thing that Is the matter with
you, my friend, you have simply lost
pluokl Yes one other-professing faith
In a divine Providence, you have also
lost trust" So, after many encouraging
words on the part of the citizen, he bade
him good-by with a strong grasp of the
hand, with the parting words, "Thank
you, sir, feel better" And so he did