The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-06-18
SELF CONFIDENCE.
Some Sensible Advice to Boy-propea
SeIf-Esteem.

enough of anything is enough, and no
matter how good thing is, too much
is more than you need. and self-esteem
is no exception to the rule.
1t is all well enough for a man to
hold his head up, and step around with
an air of considerable Importance, if he
is really doing any good to the world
by living in it. But if he has never
done anything to be proud of, or any
thing to win the esteem of others, he
shows want of sense in being too
proud Of himself. Of course, a man
wants Ia possess self-confdence, and he
wants to think that he is just as good as
anybody, but he don't need to think
that the welfare of mankind hinges on
his action, or that the world rests on
his shoulder. That is too much of a
responsibility for any one man to as
sumo, and besides other people would
want a say in the matter, and every
thing might not go on peaceably.
While it is all well enough for a man
to have good opinion of himself, and
feel that he is able to 90 it alone, he
should be careful not to go too far.
Self-esteem is like mince pie, all right
in moderate quantities, but seven or
eight slices is all one should indulge in
at time. A man has to assume an air
of some Importance in this world to get
along, but the trouble is, too many s1op
over.
This is big world, my boy, and no
man is imperatively necessary to its
success. Presidents, Kings and school
directors may die, but still the old
world goes round. Governors may re-
sign, road-Overseers may move away,
but the great mass of mankind never
stop to weep. Mary Walker, Yseult
Dudley, Ben Butler and other noted
men may pass away, but the old world
will still swing around the circle as
though nothing had happened. When
you and pass off this stage of action,
my boy, there will be several people,
perhaps. who will not miss us.
The man who has self confidence, and
who starts out in life confident of his
ability to perform great deeds, and who
has the nerve to try and keep trying,
will eventually succeed. But before he
achieves success he is apt to get great
deal of self-conceit knocked out of him.
There are young men who have an idea
that the world is very much in need of
their services. and grand positions are
standing open Just ready for them to
step right in, and that all they will
have to do will be to reach forth, and
grasp great fame, honor and riches at one
fell swoop. But in the course of time
they are pretty sure to wake up to the
cold knowledge that things are not SO.
Many young man, my boy, has an
| idea that the eyes of the world are fixed
| admiringly on him, when in reality his
neighbors are keepinga lookout to pre-
vent his getting in debt to them. Many
woman imagines the eyes of her sex
when in truth they are only looking at
the mole on her nose. Mankind is
queer, my boy. and appearances are de-
ceiving. When you think people are
applauding your wisdom they may only
be giving you taffy and laughing at your
| ignorance.
| Don't bank too much on your self
Importance. Remember that the digni-
fed citizen is just as liable as any other
to slip up on the banana-peel, and that
dog with a can tied to his tail is Just
as apt to rnn between the legs of the
most pompous individual as any. Have
| faith in yourself, and have confidence
and self-pride, but at the same time
keep lookout for sharpers. Remember
that there are plenty of other men who
know as much as you do, and some of
them may know more.
1t is not well to debate in your mind
whether or not you will accept seat in
Congress, when you do not know that
you couh secure nomination for JUS
tice of the peace. If you do You are
liable to be disappointed. And this
reminds us that much of our disappoint-
ment comes of our expecting too much
of ourselves.
| The world is full of young men who
rate themselves at about four hundred
cents ON the dollar, when they are moi
actually worth over ten cents on the
dollar. Such men have got to come to
a knowledge of their true worth, and il
takes them a long time to do it. They
have to be knocked down a great many
times before they will stay down There
are men who feel very important, and
who seem to believe that the world
sways at their command, who attract
| dlbCublOH Nv luO tIOIId vi JuclI lCGb dUt
the smell of their breath.
My boy, remember that this is a big
world, and that spread yourself as yoT
will gain all the name and fame pos
ble--reach as far to the front rs yol
can, and still you have succeeded il
attracting the attention of but few
And when you die millions of eyes vii
never shed a tear, and millions o
tongues viii never speak your name
Your children will quarrel over you
wealth, the lawyers win gobble it. ant
the world will soon forget you. 1homa
p. Monfort. tn Peek's Sun.
During the various carnival festivi
les at Vienna, the palm for eccentrieity
was carried off by ''beggars' ball
The guests were rugged out as thieves
piekpockets. coiners, defaulting cash
iers, armed burglars, and raseals Of th'
lowest type. One of the most amusing
representations was group of mer
4 quarrelling violently. their face
scratched and noses bleeding-a parod,
on the lively scenes that sometimes ioe
cur. Prizes were distributed for tn
. hast dpocesaJ and SuSfa;npds aharacfp1S