Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-09-30
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wv. G. II. VI. SCI
Tho "FIshiIng Chance. >

great name as u scholar, was one day
talking with a friend of his early
struggles.
"While still a young boy" said he,
81 was forced to give up school.
This was severe trial to me, as
had been eager to learn. As / grew
somewhat older, there mingled with
my regret distinct sense of injury.
1t seemed to me nothing short of in
justice that others, who, perhaps,
cared much less for knowledge than
III, should enjoy the advantages
which were denied me.
81 went, one evening, after hard
days work, to attend a prize oratori-
cal contest between students of our
village academy. The various speak
ers acquitted themselves excellently
well, and one, later announced to be
the prize winner, elicited enthusi-
astic applause.
can envious spirit took possession
of me as / listened. While the
cheers were still ringing through the
hall, an old gentleman who sat next
me, and whom / knew very we'll,
turned to me with q glowing face.
"Fine boy that |" said he. "He'll
make his mark in the world ?"
"Bitter words sprang involuntarily
to my lips.
"'lt's easy enough-for himp
whispered hoarsely. q might have
done something, too, but l have no
chance T.
81 shall never forget the look OF
the keen eyes under the shaggy
brows, which the old man fixed
upon me for a moment.
"'No chance p he repeated. mo
ohanceP You have fighting chance
at least! Are you coward?'
"The words seemed to smite me
through and through. All my re-
sentiment melted away. Through
the remainder Of the evening I sat
almost as in a dream, saying to my
self over and over, "a fighting
chance! / am no coward-I will
win 7
"From that time began to study
by myself. No miser ever counted
his gold more carefully than 1 the
minutes that l could save from my
daily tasks. Pennies earned after
hours we're boarded to buy text
books, which l pored over at night
My determination grew with obsta.
cles. All that was in me of strength
of mind or body, was brought to the
issue of the endeavor. Whatever
have been able to achieve throughout
my life, owe to the man who re.
vealed to me in single caustic SEN
tence, that opportunity is by nc
means synonymous with ease, and
that not to avail ones self of the
fighting chance for any worthy vic.
tory, is to be guilty of cowardice
"The great mans experience is by
no means peculiar one. If oppor.
tunity be an open door, it is more
likely than not guarded one which
it will require fixed purpose and
brave persevering effort to enter
Professor Austin Phelps has well
written: Vigilance in watching op
portunity; tact and daring in seizing
upon opportunity; force and per
sistence in orowding opportunity tc
it's utmost-these are the martial
virtues which must command sue
cess
"This is true, not simply in relation
to what we call getting on in life,
whether it be in the line of honora.
BILE business, the making of worthy
fame, or the acquisition of large
knowledge and influence 1t applies
equally to the formation of personal
character. One says, Il should like
to be good, but l am handicapped by
a violent temper. have no chance.
Another complains, Il know the
temperate life to be the right one
but | have come into the world
cursed by a hereditary taste TO,
drink. Even the smell of liquo,
sets my vains on fire. / have nc
chance. A third asserts, my cir.
cumstances are such that l cannot
choose my associations. am sur.
rounded by temptations. Everything
conspires to drag me down. I have
no chance
"Ah! tempted and tried ones, you
have each and all the fighting
chance And, better still, in every
worthy conflict, you need not strug.
gle alone Do you remember how
the Lord touched the eyes of the
prophets servant, as the two passed
through hostile Samaria, revealing
the whole mountain full of horses
and chariot of fire round about
Avail yourself through faith of the
invincible forces. So shall you come
off conqueror and more than con-
queror through Him who hath loved
you"
| Avoid serious reaults Of kidnev mr.