The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1889-10-25
CHOOSING A CALLING.

I
That Is Set Before a Boy.
Twenty years ago Thomas Scott, OF
Pennsyl vania, one of the shrewdest Of
railwa- men, spent few days in q
country village An active. bright
faced boy in the house where he board
ed attracted his notice. He asked
the school-master what was the ca
pacity OF the lad.
'.He, is dull, was the reply. Thick
headed and incapable, though willing
enough to learn. His father wishes to
make chemist of h m, but he can not
master the first principles Of the
science"
Mr. Scott watching the lad. observed
that in the affairs of daily life his judg-
ment was clear and just, and his OBJ
eervation keen. He showed, too. a
singular faculty, for managing his
school fellows. The boys parents were
induced to take him from school, and
Mr.. Scott gave him work in the yard
Of railway.
'.Now." he said. ''you have no longer
to deal with books. but with things and
men. Make your own way. l believe
you can do it"
1t was the first time the boy had been
told that he was not wholly dolt He
proved to be energetic. intelligent and
enthusiastic in his work There was a
certain frmness and cordially in his
manner which gave him control over
his associates He was soon sent out
upon the road in charge Of gang OF
men. A few years later, when Mr..
Scott came that way again, the young
man was superintendent of a division.
He afterward rose steadily to the front
rank in his profession.
A boy is too apt to be influenced in
the choice Of his life-work by some ac-
cident or petty motive. His father
and grandfather have been successful
physicians, or manufacturers, or butch
ers. and it seems natural and right for
him to follow in their footsteps Or
his intimate friend at college is going
to study law, and he must do the same
Sometimes pious father and mother
cherish fond hope that the boy will
devote his life to preaching the gospel,
and. rather than disappoint them, he
does it, with no fitness or real zeal for
the work.
In each case the lads life is failure
for the want Of u little deliberation and
careful examination OF his natural
abilities
Among the readers of the Compan-
ion there are tens of thousands of boys
who must soon make choice OF their
profession or trade, one OF the most mo-
mentous earthly questions which will
be set before them.
Don't be in hurry, boys Do not
let an acc dent decide for you. Do not
choose an occupation because 1t is more
''genteel" than others. 1t is the man
who gives character and dignity to his
occupation, as to his clothes.
Do not think, because you are rated
dull at school, that there is no honor
able place for you in the world. There
are talents and powers which do not
deal with books. God sends no man |
into the world without providing an oc-
cupation for him in which he may earn
respect You have yours.
But take care that the work is that |
for which the tool is fitted The mere |
fact that the work seems pleasant and |
to you does not prove that it
is fitted to your faculties. You may be
ambitious but you can not climb lad
der without feet and hands.
Learn the strength of your feet and |
hands, and the right ladder, and then
trust only in God and toyourself to |
make your way up it.-Youth's Com
panion.