The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-02
Just a Word, Boys.

in straightforward, practical way, and
it will pay you to listen and remem-
Der.
Living in college town, one has rare
opportunities for studying boys. In
watching the after-life of many stude nts,
it 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, used to see a
good-looking, manly fellow working
daily round our house. He had charge
of the house, and chopped the wood,
and was glad and thankful to
do any honest job, however
mental, that would help him to get an
education.
He is now successful lawyer in Boston
with an income last year of five thousand
dollars.
think Of another, red-haired, rather
diminutlve young fellow. whom used to
notice as one of my earnest boys, who
are sure to be heard from. He was
genuine Jack -at-all- trades-would 90
down on his knees wedding the flower
beds in lady's front-yard, ring the
chapel bell, was commissary Of an econo-
mical club and took care of our COCOA
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 fine reputation, though still young.
A celebrated English lawyer once said ::
"The longer live, the more I 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 it!''
Now look with me at some other young
men of different makeup whom I have
known. I recall an exquisite "feIlah,"
who graduated when I was so young as
to regard him as something very fine. He
and indulgent, saw thar he had plenty of
easy chairs, and all the elegant furniture
that he had been accustomed to.
Meerschaums adorned the mantel, and
bottles casually Elm pty) 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 Cla1encev' they said, "what a
slow time he must have had in this dull
village! No theater nor opera-only hor-
rid books, and dig, dig!"
"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 a conductor
on Brooklyn harse.car
All, this being swell is poor business
l can see before me IN memory slender
rather long-haired youth, with handsome
though somewhat shallow eyes, passing
my window with an easy, nonchalant air
swinging a light rattan. and humming &
popular air.
He effected the romantic style and al
ways was engrossed in several firtations
which seriously interfered with his les
sons. His father was plain well-to-dt
farmer, but his son, James Moore, partec
his black locks in the middle, played or
the guitar, which, on moonli ght nights
was swung from his neck by red rib
bon, troubadour fashion-and he die
sing charmingly. He also added AL
phonso to his short and sensible name
and signed his notes on pink sheets, J
Alphonso Moore!
By the way, that's bad sign. If 70,
happen to have name you dislike, be i
John jones or Tom Tack, keep it anc
make it honored. If your father be =,
Shocks, and unkindly imposes on you a
baptism such name as Jedediah E., o.
Ichabod H., don't change it to J. Everett
or L. Hamilton Shocks, but make the
best of it, and sail under true colors.
l know OF an eccentric old gentleman
who absolutely changed his mind and re-
fused to give scholarship to an other
wise unobjoctionable young fellow who
needed and deserved help, because the
young man signed his name E. WeIlma1
so-and-so, when he should not have beer
ashamed of Ebenezer.
10 return to our sentimental friend
with berjbboned guitar and long hair
In bis class was big homely man, blum
In speech, rather to careless in dress, bu
earnest in study. This homely, earnes
. man is now prominent lawyer in one o
our largest cities, holding several impor
tant Offices beside, and his friends ar
sure he will go to Congress. His wifi
said laughingly, to me, at dinner, in thei
own elegant home:
I'VE were so poor when we were mar
RED that we couldn't afford cards, O.
even cake. We Literally had some doug oh
nuts and sweet cider, and didn't invit
the few friends we had, lest they SHOULD
laugh at us. Now, many who were the1
living in fine style have come to my hus
band for loans."
And the other? He is in a sinai
Western town, sings in the choir, edits
local paper, feels overworked and Is al
ways hoping for something great to "tur
up" I hear that he still swings his can
In the old airy way, but his step is sui
dued somewhat, his hair shorter. He
still looking for wife with none,