The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-04-24
The Road 70 Success.

Editor Regider:-By what means
can l advance myself? is a question
asked by many young men just en-
toring upon their business career.-
Too many answer it by waiting for
something extraordinary to trans
pire, by supposing that some bril-
liant master.stroke is the talisman
that is open to the path Of success
before them. ProCrastination and
brilliant master.strokes carry with
them great risks, and as q general
rule the advancement made by stea-
dy and persistent effort is the safest,
surest, and in the end, most easy at
tanned, In choosing a trade or a
profession it should not be forgotten
that it is of the utmost Importance
to select one that is congenial to the
taste; and having chosen one stick to
it with the utmost avidity, for there
is a wonderful element in the stami-
ma that enables one 10 stick. Many
Of our most successful men have
chung to the path marked out, at
times when hearts more faint would
have abandoned tho task and sought
refuge in some occupation less diff
cult Is this a good trade; is that a
good profession; are questions that
can be answered by yes, for those
who possess the ability necessary for
their pursuit and who possess tho
persistence which success demands?
1t is folly to expect that the road to
success, is as plainly marked out as
If laid down upon the map. These
things regulate themselves; and
while a pursuit, which promises we'll
may prove entirely unsuccessful,
while one less inviting may lead to
eminent success. All occupations
have their periods of activity and of
dizziness; the brisk business of to-day
may be the dull one tomorrow.
Young men should DO especially
careful not to ovcr-estimate their
personal abilities. Many young
men fail in this respect. It is nat
ural for you to feel conyincodof your
own abilities. When your ability is
thoroughly established, bear in mind
that you are upon the right path,
and be careful that you are not in
duced to succumb TO the apparent
inducements which present them
selves. This is the rock upon which
the hopes of thousands Of young men
have been wrecked. In q point by
dint Of labor there are many advan-
tages that are not visible from the
surface, and which can scarcely ex-
list in new positions. First, you
should consider that you are making
progress, and come what may, you
will be able to surmount the difficult
ties, which surround you. This de-
serves particular attention, for in a
new position you cannot feel at ease
as one who has been accustomed to
his situation, and certainly cannot
forsce the elementsof opposition that
may arise. The length of time you
have been in one employ is indeed a
valuable element; you are becoming
more acquainted with tho business,
and above all you are gaining rep
utation in it. Do not wait for some
one to "give you push" for if you
wait for dead mems shoes, you may
go a long time barefoot. One great
cause of failure to succeed in bust
ness is the great dislike to excrtion,
especially if manual labor is impOs-
ed. Many young men get the idea
that they are smart, and i2nce ought
to be able to get n living by their
wits, and they "shift from pillar to
post" in any way that does not i'm
pose manual labor. Now this is a
mistake; all men cannot follow
trade, then only those who are adapt
ed to do so will find pursuit less
advantageous and more remunerative
than manual labor. If you become
q skillful workman you are certainly
a success, although you may not at
tain riches; and if you permit the
latter fact to make you discontented
it is no evidence that your career
has not been q success. 1t seems
that every person wishes his occupa-
ton to be something different from
what it is. How often do we hear it
said; "If had my life to live over