The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-19

1
was well patronized, however, from the
neighborhood aud from distant localities
and our young friend, whom all called
| je" for short, was nm ambitious young
man, and he caught the inward desire for
mental improvement and better cduca-
tion. He obtained permission to leave
home for time in pursuit of some scheme,
| if he could manage the card without incur
ring parental expense. He saw an opening
and applied for the position of chore boy,
hoping by faithful service to work for
board and tuition, and thus secure the ad.
vantages of the school. The offer was
accepted, and "Lije" took hold of every
department with vim. The stable, the
wood yards, The fires for the family and
the schools, besides general janitor duties,
occupied his spare time, but he was always
at his post of duty, always up with his class
| in school and never behind his comrades at
games or sport when leisure permitted.
That years service probably laid the foun-
dation for life purpose He was an apt
student in every grade, and gradually adj
vanced in his course of reading and study,
| taking a special interest in history, biogra-
ply and knowledge of the world in gen.
eral. The time at school was too brief to
advance very far in special or scientific
branches of literature, but he acquired the
| determined purpose to educate himself af-
ter gaining an insight into the modus ope-
| randi He might not become as proficient
in oratory as Clay, Calhoun, Webster or
| Phillips, or as noted in science as Newton,
La Place, Huxley or Agassz; but with
such great lights before him he could bend
his energies to the task and do something
for himself, no matter whether the rest of
| the world around him should stand still or
move onward. To do this he must husband
| his resources and improve his leisure hours,
no matter what might be his vocation for
| time.
On leaving school he took a position in
large Touring mill near by to learn the art,
| all the time keeping within the reach and
| influence of the Seminary, and was an ac-
tive participant in the Literary Society
| there, open to the public, and took promi-
| nence in debates. About the time he be-
came of age, he was enabled, with the
| assistance of some relatl. es or friends to
| buy an interest in the mil, and in that as
in other pursuits, being impressed with
the forciblo adage that "whatcver is worth
doing at all is worth doing WELL" he be-
came a skillful miller and drew patronage
from far and near.
| To go back to the school a moment there
was a certain young lady in the Normal
| Department who was preparing for the
| teachers vocation, and between these par
ties an intimacy grew apace. The mystic
rious workings of those sympathetic cords
of attraction, even if observed by others,
as it were by the twitchings of an electric
battery, are not always understood nor
very readily explained, but when once
charged, the current continues unless OBJ
structed by some inharmonious element.
The said young lady, however, was also
ambitious Culture seemed to be one of
her elements of character, and she passed
an excellent examination. She was soon a
first-class teacher, and afterward taught in
the country for number of consecutive
terms. AS kindred elements, however, will
gradually mingle unless separated by
mountain barriers, her bewtching smiles
were too resistless for the attractive radi
ance OF the young miller's affections, and
soon by that indescribable union of hands
and sympathy of hearts they were united
by hymeneal bands and swept into the
vortex of maIrimony Those who have no
travelled so far may not understand, but
they may live and learn. 1t was suitably
mated, and to all appearances a happy
pair, well adapted to each others wants
and necessities aud In scholarly grace ant
refinement, the young man as ready stu
dent, received many useful lessons in thei
efforts of study and mutual self-improve
ment. In force and brilliance he, perhaps
took the lead, but in intellectual culture
up to this time the medal was hers, bu
they sought to equallze their burdens an,
in intellectual growth and power thei
progress was steady and harmonious.
The young miller being fully arouse
and selG-conhdent, now commenced tn
study of law. lie leased his interest i
the mill, became disciple Of Blackston
and soon after figured c9nspicuouslY as a
attorney of much promise at the bar. EC
ing temperate in his habits, cool and shrew
in his purchases and speculatlons and dill
: gent in professional application, he 500
acquired competence, and became note
| Il oV 81,
bar. That young man had stamina, pluc
r and perseverance. He permitted no ser
Gus hlunders, or flaws of cor fidence or col
duct, to iniure his character, and If mostl
II successful in his undertakings, il was b,
u cause he planned ahead, and so adaptc
= means to ends that he accomplished great,
q results than many who were not so co,
e though more confident He thus becam
II not onlya practical and successful busine'
II man, but also useful citizen, taking pa
r in the progressive movements of his tow
< and county, and in those public and priva
n enterprises calculated to build up comm
III nifty upon an independent growing, y
self-supporting basis of prosperity. / oftt
ST think of that youth aud some others
S. might name, as bright examples for the e
le couragement of the young and perseveriI
r in the line of life's promotions. Our fan
le lies have held the most friendly TeciproC
10 relations for years, and recent letter fro
no our old friend, bearing date June II, 1ss
u reviews some past affairs, as 1t were wi
as pleasant recolections, and | take the Ii
80 erty to make brief extract After refC
Us ring to recent promotion, he says.
VT Il am still encouraged and held to lab
D. on with renewed energy, greater skill al
III grayer responsibilities, and my chief desi
n. Is for strength, fortitude, Judgment al
), knowledge sufficient to perform my duti
~ and well. And while feel aud know tn
~ my field Of labor is quite different fro
what II has been in the past, yet hope