The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-05-24
Tag OIp STORY.
Leaving tho Country to Make aFortuns In
The Clty-.Thn End. ~ -


Leaving tho Country 70 Mako n Fortune In
the CIty--The End, ~ -
Tic story Of young Calhoun, who at
tempted suicide in Brooklyn, breaches
It's own sermon, n sermon we have. says
the New York Tribune, urged SO long
that Il has become haekneyed in our
columns, The young man left the quiet
hill town Of Lockhayen, Pa, TO seek his
fortune in, Philadelphia, spilled to m
association Of that place, who, noticing
able to find employment for him, sent
him on his way with recommendation
testifying 10 his integrity, etc. He came
to New York, and after spending two
weeks in the hopeless search for work,
found himself in the streets reduced 10
beggary, and, while a companion in mis-
cry went into house 10 ask for
bread, put.a pistol to his head and fred.
II 10 the old story countless timea re-
peated Of the country boy, firing OF the
slow gain and dull routine Of farm work
or village trade, and captiyated with the
histories Of poor lads who have become
millionaires in New York, II Is too late
to point the moral Of this lads fate 10
the thousands like him who swarm on
our streets, fighting OF starvation by
work which they would have despised Gt
home, or BY bad rum, or even worse de.
lenses. But porhaps o few plain words
may reach some young man hesitating
between the dull but certain success in
his native village and the brilliant pos
sibility Of fabulous riches in o city. Sue
cess nowhere depends on luck. II the
young fellow looks about him he will see
that the rich mon OF his village are the
men Tor the sous OF men) who had most
common sense, shrewdness, and grit.
Now, II these qualities were requisite in
small community, what is lad 10 do
without them in great city, where
every trade and profession Is over
crowded, and where there are thousands
OF men with his aim in view who have
money, influence, and friends TO back
rthemf Fisk's sudden, glittering rise
aud progress blinded and bewildered tho
boys Of this country as the storyo OF Alad-
din does tile child Of ten. II seems to
them like marvellous work Of magic.
The little peddler touches nothing which
he does not convert into gold-why may
tllcy not also have the Midas fingers I
How can thcy know unless they go and
prove It'll a.
1t Is not, either, altogether tho young
men who would pay admiration 10 Fisk
and his like, whohaye eatenof thisinsane
root. This poor fellow Calhoun, 1t ap-
pears, was OF IN honest, honorable habit
OF mind and action. But they have their
demigods, too, to follow. They have q
vague picture before them OF Horace
Greeley coming TO New York o printer's
lad poorer than themselves, md going
down TO his grave with n nation Us his
mourner; Of Benjamin Franklin walking
up High street, o shilling loaf under
his arm, and standing in the court Of
France receiving homage that WIS his
duo. SINS .iai fla t5l
But neither Fanklin, nor Greeley, nor
even Jim Fisk, were so. lacking in
shrewtlness as 10 attempt mn utterly i'm
practicable field Of work such as Now
York has been this winter; SO lacking in
endurance Us TO give up the effort in two
weeks time, and so utterly deficient in
common sense rs TO blow their brains
out, when the price Of tho pistol would
have carried them back TO the country
again. These men-eyery man who has
succeeded in tie hard contest OF city life
has Ind tremendous "staying power
It Is from no want Of pity for the young
boy who probably lies dying to-day that
we point out his first and chief mistake,
and warn other lads, distinguished
among their village companions for
nothing perhaps but restless ambition,
that in New York only defeat and disas-
ter await them. II II were certain they
had even pluck enough TO go back home,
On essay at success In city might be
beneficial in curing them Of self-conceit
But unfortunately they have not even
TINT, rs the present instance proves.