River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-03
Just a Word, Boys.


want to talk to you for five minutes
in raightforward, practical way, and
it will pay you to listen and remem-
ber
Living in college town, one has rare
opportunities for studying boys. In
watching the after-life of many students
it is surprising to note the ups and downs,
the reversing of positions, in their lives
1t is certain that lasting success comes
only to those who work hard for it, and
so deserve it.
Only eight years ago, 1 used to see a
good looking, manly fellow working
daily round our house. He had charge
of the house, and chopped the wood,
do any honest job, however
mental, that would help him 10 get an
education.
He is now a successful lawyer in Boston
with an income last year of five thousand
dollars.
think of another, red-haired, rather
diminuhve young fellow, whom | used TO
notice as one of my earnest boys, who
are sure to be heard from. He was a
genuine Jack -at-all- trades-would go
down on his knees wedding the flower
beds in a lady's front yard, ring the
chapel bell, was commissary of an econo-
mical club and took care of our good
doctors stables.
He Is now very popular physician, at
present abroad for study of foreign
hospitals. He can never be handsome, or
of impressive presence, but it Is energy
and character that tells. He commands
respect and confidence everywhere, and
has a fine reputation, though still young.
A celebrated English lawyer once said
"The longer l live, the more l am certain
that the great difference between men,
the feeble and the powerful, the great
and the insignificant, is energy, invincible
determination and he adds, "No two
legged animal can be man without itl''
Now look with me at some other young
men of different makeup whom | have
known. I recall an exquisite "fellah,'
who graduated when / was so young as
to regard him as something very fine. He
roomed at our house, and his father, rich
and indulgent, saw that he had plenty of
easy chairs, and all the elegant furniture
that he had been accustomed to.
Meerschaums adorned the mantel, and
bottles usually empty his closet. He
was always riding for his health, smoked
expensive cigars, and was sought by jolly
companions that real study was quiet a
secondary matter. His sisters came to
see him graduate; affected, patronizing
creatures, elegantly dressed, who famed
languidly through dinner, toying indifter-
emily with our comparatively simple fare.
"Poor Clarencep' they said, "what a
slow time he must have had in this dull
village No theater nor opera-only hor-
rid books, and dig, digp
"Well, the wheel turned round, and his
fathers fortune disappeared, like many
another fortune. He was trying. few
years since, to get place to teach in a
school for negroes in the South, and when
last heard from was conductor
on Brooklyn harse-car.
All, this being swell is poor business |!
| can see before me IN memory a slender,
rather long haired youth, with handsome,
though somewhat shallow eyes, passing
my window with an easy, nonchalant air,
swinging light rattan, and humming a
popular air.
WAYS was engrossed in several f1irtations,
which seriously interfered with his les
sons. His father was a plain well-to-do
farmer, but his son, James Moore, parted
his black locks in the middle, played on
the guitar, which, on moonlight nights,
was swung from his neck by a red rib
bon, troubadour fashion-and he did
sing charmingly. He also added AL
phonso to his short and sensible name,
and signed his notes on pink sheets, j..
Alphonso Moorel
BY the way, that's bad sign. If you
happen to have name you dislike, be it
John Jones or Tom Tack, keep it and
make it honored IT your father be a
Shocks, and unkindly imposes on you at
baptism such name as Jedediah E., OF
Ichabod H., don't change it to j. Everett,
or I. Hamilton Shocks, but make the
best of it, and sail under true colcrs.
know of an eccentric old gentleman
who absolutely changed his mind and re-
fused to give a scholarship to an other
wise unobjectionable young fellow who
needed and deserved help, because the
Young man signed his name E. Wellmsn
so and so, when he should not have been
ashamed of Ebenezer.
To return to our sentimental friend
with beribboned guitar and long hair
In his class was big homely man, blunt
in speech, rather to careless in dress, but
earnest in study. This homely, earnest
| man is now prominent lawyer in enc OF
our largest cities, holding several impor.
tant offices beside, and his friends are
sure he will go to Congress. His wife
said laugbingly, to me, at dinner, IN theil
own elegant home:
1--WE were so poor when we were mar
ned that we couldn't afford cards, OF
even cake We Literally had some dough
nuts and sweet cider, and didn't invite
tue few friends we lad, lest they should
laugh at us. Now, many who were theI
living in fine style have come to my hus
band for loans"
And the other2 He is in a small
Western town, sings in the choir, edits ;
local paper, feels overworked and Is al
ways hoping for something great to stun
up" I hear that he still swings his can
in the old airy way, but his step is sub
dued somewhat, his hair shorter. He
still looking for a life with money
A vapit9 beginning-a sad, vapid csree
he makes sort of winter grasshop
per.
Just one case more. Three years ago,
young student called on me, and seeing
was interested in his struggles for plac
in the world, told me his story. Hi
mother died when he was little char
His father lost his property, and appal
entity his wits for he married weak
headed woman, VINO made his home an
thing but what it should be. The DO
determined TO do for himself, and hs
earned his own living ever since he wa
eleven years old.
But how could youl" asked.