The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-08
MADE A MAN OF HIM.
Letter by John Sherman to Son of
an Old Schoolmate.

Ten years ago, when the late john
sherman was secretary of state, says
Success, a young man. the son of one
OF Shermans schoomates, wrote him
for assistance. He said that he had
fallen so low in life that there was
no place for him but the gutter: that
existence had become a burden, and
that he wanted to die. Today. this
same young man Is a prosperous mer-
chant in New York city. He told Sue
cess that his position is due to the ad-
vice given him by John Sherman IN
answer to his letter. Success was
given permission to publish the letter.
which the owner guards more care
fully than all his other possessions.
Mr.. Sherman wrote:
You say that your life has been failure, ana
that you are thirty years old, and ready
| to die You say that you cannot ma WorN'
and that YOU see no hope in lite. You say that
| YOUR friends do not care to speak to You now
Let me tell you that you have reached tNlt
| point in life when man must see the very pest
prospects for his future career You, at thirty
! stand on the bridge that divides youth and man
| hood. The one is dying, perhaps, but the other
uill soon burst young and hopeful, from the
| ashes and you will find in yourself new oelne
! , man. Do not let your discomfort XIII TINS nc"
| life, before il is born.
Unless you are physically defoImed 80 I"
| work Go 10 work at any honest work. II "
| only brings YOU a dollar day. Then learn 70
uvc within that dollar. Pay no more than ten
| cents for a meal and twenty cents for bed, and
| saye as much OF the balance as you can,and VIVA
| same intensity as you would save your mother
| ltc Make the most OF your appearance. DO not
dress gaudily, hut clesnly. Abandon liquor ~
| Won would abandon a pestilence, Tor liquor -
| the curse that wrecks more lives than all ths
| horrors OF the world combined.
| II YOU arc a man oi brains, a. your letter
| leads me to believe YOU are, wait until YOU
| are in a condition TO seek yer level, and then
seek il with courage and tenacty. II may take
| time TO reach IL; il may take years, but you wlt
surely reach it--you will turn from the working
man into the business man, or the professional
| man, with much ease that you VIII marVei s'
| A. But have one IDEAL, and aim Tor it, No snip
ever reached its port by sallns Tot upAcH "'''' '
ports at the same time,
he contont,d, for without contentn'ent there
is no love or friendship, and without those pleS''
lnps lie is indeed. hopeless case Learn 10
love your books, for there is pleasure lnstru'
ton and friendship in books. Go TO chnrch'
for the church helps to ease the pains OF me-
But never be hypocritc; II you cannot believe
in God, believe in your honor. Listen TO music
whenever you can, for music charms tie mlha'
and fills a man with lofty ideals.
Cheer up! Never want 10 die. why an
twice your age, and over, and ] DO not wan
10 die Get out into the world Work, cat
slccp, read and lalh about the great events o
the day, even ii you are forced TO go amopp
. laborers Take the hrst honest work You sci
and then be steady patient, industrious saving
! kind polite studious, temperate, ambitious
gentle, loving, strong, honest, courageous an'
contented.
BE all these, and, when thirty years more hay
passed away Just notice how young and beauti
! ful the world is, and how Young and happ
you are,
(signed) John sherman