The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-13
Opportunity Improved.

A young man in this city had been
several years attempting to build up a
law practice; he had slight acquaint-
ance in the city, he was not naturally Of
very social nature, and he had very
little faculty of bringing himself to the
notice of influential men. The work
that had come to him had been done
| faithfully, but the stream was shallow
one, and seemed as likely to dry up a.
to deepen. The young lawyer became
discouraged, and began to question if he
had not made a mistake in choosing a
profession, and even to fear that his
life would be a failure. Just at this
time a friend, also a lawyer, who was
going into the country for the summer,
invited him to occupy the house which
! his family were about to leave. Glad
to have more commodious quarters at
reduced expense, he accepted the in
vitatIon, and found among his friends
| possessions large and valuable law
library. 1t SO happened that he had in
his hands at this time case on appeal
to one of the higher courts; he had
nothing else to do, and the library wa:
close at hand, and he spent the summer
in a study of the case SO thorough and
painstaking that he mastered the whole
history of jurisprudence bearing upon
it. He expected very little profit from
it, but he had the satisfaction of doing
piece of work artiStically and ideally
well.
Autumn came at last, and with it the
argument of the case in question. 1t is
a common saying among lawyers that
cases are oftener won in the office than
in the courtroom. The young lawyer
showed himself a thorough master of
his case, and presented it with such
ciearness, simplicity and vigor that he
held the attention of the Judges to the
very close. One of these Judges had
already decided to leave the bench and
return to general practice; the arSu-
ment OF the young man arrested his at
tention, and resulted in a letter suggest
ing an interview That summers work
bore fruit in partnership in leading
law firm, and 4 practice that is to-day
among the most lucrative and influenti-
al in the city.
This bit of history from actual life is
repeated here as an illustration of
fact, which men are apt to forget in
their moments of Encouragement, that
every life has its opportunity. At some
time or other along the road, very like
iy at its hardest and dreariest point,
success stands with outstretched hand.
She is rarely discerned at the moment,
but the man who uses every opportuni-
ty as if it were the great opportunity of
his life is sure not to miss the crown
when it is offered because its Jewels are
covered. Life is full of vicissitudeS,
changes and discouragements; it is also
full of rewards, prizes and opportuni-
ties. These come often at the end of a
long course. of discipline and patience:
but to every true worker in one way or
another they do come at last. 1t is
battle in which there is no final defeat
TO those who strive lawfully; race in
which no wreathS are lost to those who
run faithfully.
If you are at the point of discourage
ment and are beginning to lose heart,
think of the host of men who have
plucked up success out of the jaws Of
failure. Your hour of triumph will come
in due time; work and watt Christian
Union.