The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-11-18
IN ONE SYLLABLE.
A REMARKABLE ADDRESS To An
INDIANA SCHOOL.

ne strength which lies IN Worus OF one
syllable has been often demonstrated, and
no doubt the simple directness of this
address delivered to graduating clas'
at Fort Wayne impressed itself on the
minds of the listeners with force that
made them remember il, says the Chicago
Tribune. The president of the board OF
trustees was Mr.. A. p. Edgerton, after
wards national civil service commits
sioner, and his advice, given eleven years
ago, is still worth preserving, The
greater part is here quoted;
This day We close for the year the
Fort Wayne free schools, and we now
part with you, the girls and boys We are
no more to teach.
II soy girls aud boys, for when three
score and ten years have come to you
you will be glad to have your friends say
that health and peace of mind have kept
your heart warm; that you wear no brow
of gloom; are not borne down with age,
but still, in heart, are girls and boys.
When these years come, and hope they
will come TO all. the tide of time will fall
back and tell you of your school time
days, when the fair, the kind, and the
true found love, but the false heart found
no friends, no tongues TO praise. These
days bring rich gifts TO age. and when
you shall cease TO think of them your
fire has burnt low, and your light has
gone out. You have been here taught in
the hope that the free schools OF Fort
Wayne would help TO make you of use 10
your friends and TO the world; would
give you faith in all that is good and
true, and lead you to seek work; for this
you must seek and do il you would have
a good name, wealth, II home, charge
to keep, or trust to serve. Go forth
with bold. true heart to seek the work
for you to do.
keep in mind that the hours of work
run through each day, and that Gods
great law Of life is: In the sweat of
thy face shalt thou eat thy bread
"Now for you, young men, this truth
is told.
$50 where you will through the
world, and you will find on the front
door of shops and mills, OF stores AMI
banks, and on ships, on farms, on roads,
in deep mines where men toll for wealth ;
where laws are made that make some
men too rich, and men of worth and
work through all our land too poor
where men by law are taught to plot
with sin, to spurn the right, that charge
and cost and spoil may make old 'Quirk's'
law firms rich; where the law is so plead
that the Judge must guess to find what's
law; where Quacks most fight Ger sick
mems pains and dead mems bones;
where types are set, and none to mind
the proofs; where priests do preach and
l. ;o
sign: Brains Will Find Work Here
Don't fear. Step up and ask for
work; brains will get it. Don't let i
dare not wait on | would-llke the cat
that loves fish, but dare not wet her
feet.
"If it be said What can you do2
Will you learn trader say i have
none, but can learn one and put brains
In it, When you 60 to place where
brains should hunt for work and will be
sure to find it, it may be said to you,
do you see that plow! Can you hold
and drive it deepr That plow, in its
wise use gives all men food,
"Do you see that wheel and that crank
and those shafts and that press and do
you hear the rush and hiss of the steam
which moves them2 can you make and
hold and run them? can you build and
drive the works and wheels which make
the wealth of The earth and cause it to
roll and to float to and fro from place to
place where it is best foI man to use il
"Can you spin the thread and weave
it, which makes ropes for kings and silks
for the rich and vain, and dress for the
poor, and all that skill and art have
wrought by loom and hand for mans
use2"
"Tnese things are all shot through
with threads of light-the light of mind
h and art and skill which shines each day
more bright and dims all the old by
some new found light, rs the yelrs go
Il on.
"If you say that you do not know how
to do all this work, but will try to learn
some of it and do it we'll, then will be
\ eaid to you, Can you and will you work
and will you speak the truth, and in all
things strive to do no man wrongT If
you say Yes, then all the doors where
mans good and great work is done will
swing for you to pass you in to do your
part; and thus you will see how God
rules in all His ways, in mans good
works and deeds. Some may hope for
fame, but if they doubt that God rules,
have not trust and faith. they well may
! fear their fate. New books, not old
coins, keep charge of fame. Look well
| 30 books, for through them the world S
best thoughts and deeds now speak.
"To you, young girls, l must say a
word, hot to chide ncr to praise. You
can plant the rose which shall bloom an /
| give its sweets to all; or you can grow
the thorn, which shall pierce and tear
the hearts of those who love you. hope
for you, pray for you.
"The turn your minds now will take
will fix your life to come. If you are
led in just way of pure thought and
deed, you will be sure to find JOY and
peace and health in all you DO. You
each hope, some day, to be good mans
wife. 1t is well to be this; but take
care that you be not fools drudge
What should you bring to a good
and true man to make his and yours q