St. Landry democrat., 1885-02-07
HONEST INDUSTRY.
The only Thoroughfare That Leads to
Genuine Success.


Genuine Success.
Despite the somewhat prevalent idea
that speculation is the royal road to
wealth, the truth is still as evident as
ever, that honest industry is the only
sure way to success. Laziness never
accomplished great results in any direc-
ton. What have been called the happy
inspirations of genius are only the fruits
of honest, but unknown toll. The Mi
cawbers, who wait for something to
turn up, rarely get beyond the waiting
period It is true, all along the way of
life, that honest industry alone will win.
1t is so with education in childhood.
The mere ability to slip through exami-
nations with little study does not make
the successful scholar 1t is only the
Flooding. Woodworking student who
really succeeds. A chance success in
speculation only proves the rule in bust
ness life. To offset this are the thou
sand failures. What, then, does indus
try involve?
Its first essential is thGoughness. 1t
does not mean the number of hours de-
voted to a given task, but the thorough
accomplishment of the work attempted.
This may require a longer or shorter
time, but means success no matter how
long or short the period needed. The
evidence of work is thoroughnesss. 1t
may be seen in petty details. Said q
gentleman to an applicant for position:
1--WE have place for an industrious
young man, but we fear you do not
meet the condition." The young man
was surprised, and inquired what the
unfavorable Judgment was based on.
He was answered: "Your letter Of APP
plication. 1t was carelessly and incor-
rectly written. 1t indicates character
and habit. !" It was not properly pune
tuated, nor correctly. spelled. The
French banker who revised his opinion
of an applicant on seeing him pick up
a pin, observed shrewdly. Thorough
ness descends to petty details and does
all it's work thoroughly. This is the
first evidence Of industry.
Constant alertness is another feature.
In the sharp competitions of our day
only the most absolute aIertness sue
ceeds. And nothing so sharpens the
L
fitful, irregular worker, no matter what
the field, can not succeed, because his
faculties are not fully aroused. Our
great inventors are those who have
plodded in special fields, long and ear
nestly. Stewart, the merchant, was at
his desk with methodical promptness
year after year. By keeping the run of
the markets he availed himself of every
advantage. It was believed that a
business so well organized would run
itself; yet it took but few years of care
less attention to ruin it. 1t is noticeable
that successful men are thoroughly
posted IN their special lines of trade.
They reach this by constat alertness,
the result of industry.
Laziness leads to Indifference, and
this to ruin. Industry inspires care,
which protects and saves. The struggle
for success is usually at the beginning.
It means, at this time, the prompt use
of all the advantages of a given situa-
ton. rather than the rigid economy
which saves. But it really includes a
firm hand on all the conditions of sue
cess, and in all, the resolute industry,
which is born of determination, sue
ceeds. The achievements of the leaders
involve resources and efforts that are
amazing. Napoleon, in conquering an
empire, did not plan more sagaeiously,
or carry out his ideas more effectively
than did Aston, or Vanderbilt, or others
in lesser spheres who have succeeded in
life And il is q mistake to suppose
that Flooding industry IS dulling Of de-
pressing. It does not even lack in en-
joylnent. On the contrary it promotes
happiness by so arousing all the powers
as to cause them to enjoy keenly.
There is far more happiness in labor
than in idleness. The sloth enjoys least
among animals, because it is ever
asleep. Life is activity; and industry
promotes this, as well as inspires sue
cess. Detroit Post.