The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-05-09
From the Rural New Yorker.
Luck-or Labor?

There is an old saying, at is better to
be born lucky than rich" We have little
confidence in any luck that man does
not make for himself. And a mans luck
So called, is often traceable to some act
done, or to some point in his character,
that has been carefully cultivated, not
with reference to any particular transac-
ton but on general principles OF proper
conduct and growth. When one man
succeeds by luck hundred fail. Witness
| Wall Street transactions, or gamblers
lanywhere-what is credited to luck is
often due to caution.
| In conversation with man well-known
in business circles in Boston, who is now
the possessor Of much worldly wealth.
every dollar of which he has made for
himself, he said, Il have never embarked
in any enterprise thinking how much
profit could make by it. My rule has
been to look out for the losses, and TO
guard against them leaving the profits
entirely out of the calculation Many
say profits cannot be made in any bust
ness without risk. have tried to act on
different principle. My first inquiry
always has been, if put money into this
or that venture, Can l get it back
again and if the answer seems doubtful
/ let it alone. / have never been led
into speculation by the thought: there
is but little risk, and if successful the
profit is great. And | have never lost in
the end, on any business venture l have
ever made"
A good reputation, which never comes
by luck, is to any business man a long
step toward fortune. The man who is
considered honest by the people among
whom he resides, and who is known for
being prompt in his payments, has arepu-
tation that will serve him for business
purposes, better than property serves one
who is tricky and uncertain.
Our attention having been called to
the fact that the stock of the Insurance
Companies of Hartford sold for much
above their ''book value"-that is the
amount that could be paid to share
holders from the assets should the COM
pany discontinue business at once
while that of the best New York Compa-
nies can always be bought considerably
below book value although their percent
age of dividends paid was about the same,
we were curious enough to inquire the
reason We first asked President of a
N. Y. Company, who gave no further in
formation than that all the Hartford
stock was wanted for investment by the
people of that city and its immediate
vicinity, and because it was favorite
with them they willingly paid high
price. He gave no reason why it was a
favorite-afterward we inquired of the
agent for one of the Hartford Companies
located here. The reason is plain" he
said, sit is because of the reputation for
soundness and fair dealing we have es-
tablished throughout the entire country.
If our company should to-day sustain
sufficient loss to exhaust its entire capi-
tai in the payment of it, we could con.
tinue. Our reputation is worth more
than the entire capital of some compa-
nies."
But a good reputation does not come
without being sought. 1t follows in the
wake of honesty, integrity, morality; its
foundation stones are right thoughts,
which must come before actions or words,
and which control them.
We do not hold that there are no in
stances where fortune in its various forms
has not come to men without their seek
ing it. Many have stood in the way of
circumstances and have been benefited
by them, but what we would impress
upon the minds of our readers is that he
who waits for luck is usually diappoint-
ed. He who would win must work.