Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-11-25
Walk When You Begin.

OLIVER Ellsworth commenced the
practice of his profession he was
accustomed to walk to and from
his Office, while a merchant of the
same city rode much less distance in
grand style. Once pausing and prof
ering a ride, he questioned Ellsworth
as to why he did not also sport car
riage, and received for answer, BE
cause I have found that persons must
walk at some period of their lives, and
I choose to walk when I begin The
sequel proved the truth of the asser-
ton, for later in life, when the dashing
merchant had failed and was forced to
go afoot, the Chief Justice rode in
his carriage and bore the honors of
Minister Plenipotentiary to France.
The wisdom Of the answer is ap-
parent to sill who have watched the
fluctuations Of business life and re-
fected upon the causes of disaster.
Walking when they began would
have saved many a man from wreck;
many a home from the iron grasp of
the law; many family from the poor
house. 1t is the launching out into
extravaganza that cuts to the core.
Carriage and fast horses are the pre-
monitory symptoms of failure in the
great majority of cases. Money taken
from business for such purposes is
like draining the life blood from the
veins, as cupping the heart, upon the
healthy movements Of which all the
functions depend. There is stardy
manhood shown in the young by walk
ing that commands respect and justifes
confidence, while foolish and luxuriant
outlay creates suspicion as to stamina
distrust as to credit.
Walking at the beginning shows
strength of will. independence Of
character, and that the foundation is
laid upon something less shifting than
sand. It gives practical assurance
that there is nerve and muscle behind
capable of enduring the strain and
meeting the troubles of life without
fiinching. The sturdy pedestrian
commands respect even from the snob
who rolls by in carriage, and his
bread tastes ten times more sweet, his
digestion remains unimpaired, and his
slumber is indeed rest. Putting all
other phases Of the question aside for
the moment, walking pays very large
interest upon the investment in health.
There is no exercise that can compare
with it, when judiciously employed
To one confined in an Office, to one
whose hours are mostly passed at a
desk, to one whose labor is especially
that Of the head, it stands before all
others, and is the best possible training
for the mental prize ring.
But we attempt not to discuss it
from a medical standpoint. It is with
the effect upon business relations tina
we would enforce the lesson taught by
the little story heading this article;
and that is, if we correctly understand
it, that man must not scorn little be-
ginnings if ne would triumph in the
end; and the word "walking," in this
connection, is fraught with far wider
and deeper meaning than the simple
stretching Of tie muscles Of the
limbs; it embraces a thousand Titles
that 90 to make up the sum total of
prosperity. Granting that the smile
Of going on foot and in a carriage is a
forcible one Of the whole, yet the
idea must be carried out through all
the various shades Of business life
if the ''true inBardness" of the mat
ter is understood