St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1878-06-29
Starting in Lite.

lesson is learnt, the better. A home
bred youth, growing up in the light O
parental admiration, with everything II
foster his vanity and self,esteem, is sur
priscd to find, and often unwilling tt
acknowledge, the superiority of othe
people. But he is compelled to learn hi
insignifcance. His arts are ridiculed
his blunders exposed, his wishes disre
garded, and he is made to cut a very
sorry figure until his self conceit il
abased, and he feels that he know!
nothing.
When young man has thoroughly
comprehended the fact that he knows
nothing, and that, intrinsical]y, he is O.
but little value, the next lesson is, that
the world cares nothing for him. He is
the subject of no mans overwhelming
admiration neither petted by the one
sex, nor envied by the other, he has tc
take care Of himself. He will not be
noticed till he becomes noticeable he
will not become noticeable till he does
something to prove that he is of some Use
to society. No recommendation or in
PRODUCTION will give him this, or ought
to give him this; he must do something
to be recognized as somebody. There is
plenty ofroom for men in the world, but
there is 10 room tor idlers. Society is
not very particular what man does, SC
long as he does something useful, to
prove himself to be man; but it will
not take tie matter On trust.
There is no surer sign of al unmanly
and cowalaly spirit, than vague desire
for help wish TO depend, to lean on
somebody, and enjoy the fruits of other
peoples Industry. There are multitudes
of young men who indulge in dreams OF
help from ame quarter, coming in at a
convenient moment, to enable them to
secure the success in life which they
covet. This, one Of the most painful
sights in tie world, is that OF a young
man with strong constitution and &
presentable figure, standing with his
hands in hi pockets longing for help.
There are psitions in which the most
independent spirit may gracefully and
gratefully accept assistance-may, in
fact, as choce Of evils, desire it; but for
a man who is.ble to help himself, to seek
help from others is positive proof that
he has been unfortunately trained, and
that an indolnt bias exists in his charac-
ter. Let us lot be misunderstood. We
would inculcte the pride OF personal in
dependence, which, in its sensitiveness,
repels the goo, Offices of friends. What
we condemn il 8 young man is the habit
Of dependencewhich makes him anxious
to accept as avor, those things which
he might readily acquire by his own in
dustrial exertins. A man who willingly
receives assistance, especially if he has
applied for it, Invariably sells himself to
his benefactor, unless his patron happens
to be man Of ense, who is giving abso-
lutely necessar. assistance to one whom
he knows to beooth sensitive and honor
able.
When a young man has ascertained
the fact that heknows nothing, and that
the world cares nothing about him, that
his success in lie must depend on his
own exertions, md that he must look to
himself, and MOTTO others, for assistance,
he is in fair petition for beginning life.
The next lesson that OF patience. A
man must learl to wait as well as to
work; and to ie content with those
means of advancement in life which we
may use with integrity and honor,
Patience is one of the most difficult
lessons to learn. It is natural for the
mind to look for Immediate results. Let
this, then, be Understood at starting
that the patient conquest of difficulties
which rise in the egular and legitimate
channels of business and enterprise is not
only essential in securing the success
which young nan seeks in life, but
also to tint preparation of the
mind requisite br the enjoyment of
success, and for cetaining them when
gained. It is the general rule, in all the
world, and in all tines, that unearned
success is curse.
1t is rule also that the process of
earning success shall be the preparation
for its conservationand enjoyment. So,
day by day, and week by week-so,
month after month, and year after year,
work on; and in that process gain
strength and symmetry, nerve and
knowledge, that when success, bravely
and patiently acquitted, shall be yours,
it shall find you prepared to receive and
to keep it. The development OF llyour
mental and moral qualities in the brave
battles of life will amply reward you for
the struggle. 1t will help to make a
man of you, and give you not only self
respect, but the respect of your fellows
and the public.
A Wonderful Painting.