The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-11-19
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quite as readily. Muscle and brain
must know how to do mans work
and think manly thoughts before they
constitute man. We are the archi-
tects of our own respective fortunes,
and should bear in mind always that it
is not luck but pluck that weaves the
web of life and crowns men with
honor.
We are familiar with people who
continually whine at fate; to believe
them, there never was lot so hard as
theirs. Yet, those who know their
history will generally tell you that
their life has been one long tale fop-
portunities neglected, or misfortunes
deserved. Dissatisfied with everything,
they never permit themselves to be
happy because they were not born at
the top of the wheel of fortune. They
refused to take hold of the spoke as it
came around, but cry like spoiled chill
dren, neither doing anything for them
selves, nor permitting others to do so
for them. They enter into this or that
undertaking with the dreamy hope that
luck will pay them smiling visit.
But wealth should never be anticipated
from any other source than labor.
This is called an age of specialties,
and division of labor tends to progress.
When a mans undivided attention is
centered upon one object, his mind will
constantly suggest improvements OF
value that would escape him If his
brain were occupied bya dozen different
subjects at once. If house is to be
painted, a garden laid out or an addi-
ton made to cottage, common sense
naturally sends us to those who have
learned these trades-tO the skilled ar
. tisan. architect, gardener or engineer,
to those who have disciplined brain,
eve and hand until the result of their
labor is the best of which they are
, capable Perfection in all parts is won
. at the cost of long, determined en-
deavor and a definite aim. Even a
. cook, it is said. must keep her hand IN
, practice, or she loses the lightness OF
q touch, the judgment and skill which,
beyond recipes and formulas, are neces-
q sary to the making of good bread and
pastry.
There is not a single attainment
. worthy the name that is not gained by
p the earnest effort and application of
:, the person who strives to possess it,
Our life has been ikened to ladder
g the top round of which many find 1t
e hard to reach. Some in their eagerness
g to attain great heights overlook the
9 difficulties in the way. The person who
!. thinks of taking short road to fortune
" would do we'll to write down the names
D. of dozen of our richest men, and he
h will find that the largest part of the
v wealth of the Astors, Vanderbilts anc
" MANY others was accumulated aftel
" they had passed their fiftieth year.
r. Climbing by branches, although tn
70 only safe way to climb, is often SLOW
,e work. We hear skilled musician pla
n. selection from Mozart, or one o
10 Beethoven's sOnatas, and we ar
nt charmed. But how many of us eve
q. stop to consider the constant practic
be necessary to impart to the piece its dc
20 lightful expression, and to the finger
ls their delicate touch? Or we gaze er
e. raptured at a beautiful painting, bu
We seldom think of the hours of resOlut'
wv patient effort required to attain sue
lv excellence. Then, again, there are thos
an who see nothing but difficulties befol
,r: them, and becoming disheartened r.
all lapse into idleness.
ng We must expect failures and disal
IN. pointments. The price of success
he paid in trials and often in tears. Thos
rs. who would climb to eminence mu
no often grasp thorny branches. Not
rk. truth has been given to art or scien'
;he but brows ached and tOiled while stri
Do ing for it. Progress, as rule, is slo'
rd- but if permitted to reach the end f
will which we have aimed, how mu'
not greater will be our reward in KNOWN
mt. that our success in life has been {
as tanned by our own energy and pers
ots varanco F.