The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-07-24
THINK can assert without fear
of contradiction that there resides
within the breast of humanity a

II THINK I can assert without fear |
of contradiction that there resides |
within the breast of humanity a
predominating and irresistible inn
pulse TO be respected, to be admired
by others, and to achieve such fame
that our memory will live long after we
have departed from this earth. This
idea receives expression in multitude
nous forms. A good reputation is the
royal pathway upon which one can safe
ay rely to fulfill this desire. It is one of
the essential factors in promoting and
maintaining good government. 1t is one
of the forces that contends for higher
ideals in the developing process of civil
lization. Its testimonials are observed
an art, literature, science, and countless
endowments for institutions of learn
ing and in institutions where the sick
and manned are cared for.
"A good reputation, therefore, is a
necessity to the child, to the boy attend
ing school, to the young man wooing
his sweetheart and to the man embark
ing in commercial life. GA good repu-
tation is more valuable than money"
says Publius Syrus. In this age of
so-called trusts, of artifciality and of
pseudo merchandise, it appears that
money and not reputation is the pre-
essential thing which all men are strain
ing every nerve to acquire. The more
money accumulated, the greater be-
comes its burden, but the more we en-
hance our reputation and add to its
perfections, the greater becomes its re-
fulgence, the more lasting becomes its
fame and it will act as monument
for future generations to admire and
aspire to.
Reputation, like money, is act umu-
lated as an investment, and like money
it is easily parted with. He who wishes
to opreserye an enviable reputation must
he continually on the alert. Pope says;
"At every word a reputation dies"
Whether we agree with this assertion
or not, nevertheless, we should use the
utmost care in protecting it. We know
what fragile thing it is and how east
ly it will tumble about our ears. A
moments loss of self-control and it
becomes dross, like a bursted bubble, q
mere nothing, by-product which re.
quires considerable skill and manipula-
tion to again be of value. 1t is not
the external dangers which one must
guard against, such as the slanderer, tie
.corruptionist, hideous vice, etc., tt
protect it, but the danger which l;a,
within.
a good reputation has potent val
ue in this life and is a noble endow
ment to bestow upon posterity. Every
sday we can enhance its value. Its
growth is the preparation that qualities
and prepares us for positions ofstrus1
and honor. The opportunity to great
mess may never present itself, but still
! there is no cause for discouragement
There Is no better advertisement than
good reputation for the merchant
Let it once become known that he is q
willy chap; that his goods are not what
he represents them to be; that he
skins down the price on certain ar
ticle and raises it on others; that he jug
giles accounts, and he will soon fine
himself decidedly the worse for Gus
toners.
So it iswith the ambitious young mar
who is just feeling the fiber of the frs
rung of the ladder up which he hopes tx
mount to success. 1t matters littl,
whether he is youth looking for /
,clerkship, or a young doctor just build
ing up practice, or a briefless attorne.
looking with owl-like eyes for his frs
client, he must possess good reputa
tion. A lawyer may possess cunning
and lots of CAB and succeed; docto
may be proficient and cure his patient
the young clerk may know how to sci
goods, but iftheir regulations are of
negative quantity, their success will b,
of meteor-like nature. They d,
not inspire confidence. The bette