Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-07-01
A SOLID FOUNDATION.
The Importance of Making Good he


The Importance of Making a Good be-
ginning in Life.
A young woman who had been
brought up in luxury and complete free
dom from care married a gentleman
somewhat older than herself, and went
to live with him in distant city.
He was the owner of a daily news
paper, which through his indefatigable
energy and constant attention to details
had become both influential and fnan-
cially successful.
The young wifein her school days had
been much praised by her teachers for
her graceful essays and her husband,
discovering this, urged her to contribute
to his columns Her poems, book-re,
views and sketches of travel were talked
about at home, and copied in the papers
of other cities.
One day a tornado swept over the
place, and the luiband was crushed
under falling building.
The question OF livelihood, which
comes to so many women, now came to
her. Should she continue the business,
or sell it and abandon herself to grief?
She decided on the former course, and
bravely struggled with her sorrow, con-
tinued to write her poems and graceful
articles.
But soon change was evident in the
paper. The news was less full and ac-
curate, the editorials were weak and
commonplace, errors of type were fire.
quent, the sheets were poorly printed.
Moreover, difficulties arose among the
workmen, and the foreman gave notice
of his intention to leave.
Madam" said the lawyer to whom
the lady went for advice, your bust
ness is like church steeple overturned
and set up on its vortex. The steeple
may be very beautiful and much adj
mired, but it does not make a good
foundation. If you wish to be success
full in your work you must begin at the
bottom. Come out of your bedroom,
and stop writing poetry. Go to the of
fee, learn to set type, see the forms
made up, read proofs, pay the men with
your own hands, learn to distinguish
important from unimportant news, and
assure yourself of the worth and inter
est of every paragraph in your paper. y
The lady acted upon his advice and
to-day is a reasonably successful editor.
A young Swedish singer, whose tri-
umphs in her own country were I'M
paralleled, became aware thats her
method of singing was incorrect. She
knew of only one teacher in the world
who could help her, and he lived in far
off Paris Nevertheless, she quietly re-
linquished her glory. took the long, soil.
tary journey, dwelt among strangers
speaking foreign language, consented
TO ignore all her past training, and to
learn step by step, like an unknown be.
| ginner, the scientific method of singing
Had she continued in her old way her
voice W slld have been ruined; but upon
the trn. foundation, Jennie Lind built
up a vocal reputation which has never
been surpassed.
The examples show the Importance OF
beginnings. Years of simple, whole
| some living are required for fine com,
| plexion: finger exercises and scales
must precede good piano playing; by
careful study alone can the mind be
come wcll-trained; habits of frugality
industry and perseverance are essentia,
| for success in business; and when these
conditions have been ignored in youth
Che only salvation lies in cutting off EN-
bellishments, and devoting all one:
l-energies TO repairing foundation prin
.iples, Companion,