The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-11-03

care oi LIE SINN
Boys and girls, some time ago your
''uncler gave you this maxim. Begin
we'll II you would end WE'LL" and this
week we will give you the subject ably
discussed in all its fullncss by J. G. Hol-
land. under the title, Getting the
Right start" James Russell Lowell
says: "The best part of mans knowl-
edge is where knowledge leaves Off and
ignorance begins" and Mr.. Holland re-
echoes 1t by starting his subject with
this parallel expression The first
great lesson young man should learn,
Is, that he knows nothing" and that
the earlier and more thoroughly this /
lesson is learned, the. better 1t will b.
for his success in life. a young man
bred at home, and growing up in the
light of parental admiration and frater-
nal pride, cannot readily understand
how II Is that every one else can be his
equal in talent and acquisition. II bred
in the country and dc seek the life of
the town, he will very early obtain an
idea Of his insigniflcancc. THIS is n
critical period in his history. The re-
suit of his reasoning will decide his fate.
II. at this time. he thoroughly compre-
hend and in his soul admit and accept
the fact that he knows nothing and Is
nothing: II he bow to the conviction
that his mind and person are but
ciphers, and that whatever he Is to be,
and is to win. must be achieved by hard
work, there is abundant hope for him.
II, on the contrary, II huge self-conceit
still hold possession OF him. and he
straighten stifiiy up to the assertion of
his old and valuelcss self-or II he sink
discouraged upon the threshold of n life
Of fierce competitions. and more manly
emuations, he might as well b. dead
The world has no use for such man
and he can only retire to be trodden
upon.
When young man has thoroughly
cOmprehended the fact that he knows
nothing, and that. intrinslcally, he is Of
but little value, the next thing for him
TO learn is that the world cares nothing
for him-that he is the subject Of no
mans overwhelming alteration and es-
teem-that he must take care Of him
self.
II he be u stranger, he will find every
man busy with his own affairs, and none
to look after him. He will not be no.
ticed until he becomes noticeable and he
will not become noticeable until he does
something to prove that he has an abso-
Lutte value in society. No letter Of rec
ommendation will give him this, or
ought TO give him this. No family
connection will give him this, except
among those fe'T who think more Of
blood than brair
Society noe lilly demands that Il
young man shall be someb' dy, but
that he shall prove his right to the
0title: and it has right to demand this.
PSociety will not take this matter upon
trust-at least, not for IA long time: for
1t has been cheated too frequently.
Society is not very particular what a
man does, so that it prove him to be
a man; then it wiz bow to him and
make room for hj'A.
There is no surer sign OF an unmanly
and cowardly spirit than a vague desire
for help-a wish to depend, to lean
upon somebody and enjoy the fruits OF
the industry Of others. There are null
titudes OF young men who indulge in
dreams of help from some quarter, COM
ing In at u convenient moment, to ena-
nRle them TO secure the success In life
kh they covet, The vision haunts
n Of some benevolent old gentleman,
DWith a pocket full Of money, trunk
full Of mortgages and stocks, and
mind remarkably appreciative Of merit
and genius, who will "erhaps, give or
lend them from ten to 'enty thousand
dollars, with which .hey will COM
mence, and go on swimmingly.
Now, boys and girls, we have filled
our allotted space for this week and
will leave you to carefully read and
ponder over the above until our next
issue when we will give you the remain
der Of this subject. Study it thorough
ly and weigh well the golden truths
contained therein. 1t applies to you
all, both nephews and nieces.