Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-24
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
Health and Success.
PHILADELPHIA Ledger.)

A hardy old Scotchman who pushed
into the Adirondacks half a century
ago when it was real wilderness still
cuts timber in the winter at the age of
Il, presides at the kettle and pans in
the spring, boiling the sap of which
maple syrup and sugar form the
residuum, and in the summer gives his
superabundant energies to the care of
city folks" who are his summer
boarders. The modern invasion of the
railroads has left his demesne forty
miles from the railroad station, and in
that remote spot he and his rugged
wife have raised nine children-all
chips of the old blOck-and have never
called a physician during their exis-
tence. A doctors visit now would cost
SIS, and in the early part of their career
a physician was beyond reach.
The summer boarderS are certainly
not below the average of city folk in
health, strength and vigor. yet they all
seen to have something the matter
with theEI." Those who have no acute
or distinct ailment say they require
long rests and seasons of quiet; they
impress the Scots family as being
WAN vi Sithiy. anu liz olttIl ltIittl M W
his old acquaintance. What puir
critters city folks must be-
Among the yearly visitors to the
backwools farm on the lake is highly
educated man of SIS years, who, though
not an invalid, is 4 valetudinarian. He
is man of good parts, and was gradu-
ated, after distinguished college
career in America. from n leading Ger
man university with the degree of doc
tor of philosophy at a time when the
winners of that degree in America were
a handful.
A career of distinction was prophe-
sled for him by his friends. but his life
has been a bitter disappointment. His
every undertaking has been a failure
because his health always broke
down." and at an age when he should
be reaping the rewards of his ability,
training and Industrious habits he is,
through the kindness of early friends,
the secretary of New York dining
club, a mere derelict on lfe's ocean, a
bit of driftwood on the shore, a disap-
pointed, miserable. broken. hopeless old
man whose life has been wasted; a
tragic failure
The old Scot and his wife were work
house children sent to New Lanark.
Scotland. to work in the cotton mills
at the age of 6. in accord with the bar
barOus practices of that day. Owing
TO the system of primary education
established at New Lanark by that re-
markable enthusiast. Robert Dale
owen, who just before their time had
left that Place for larger fields, they
received some schooling; but at best
their education consisted of the barest
rudlments Of q lower grade primary
school. The Scotchmans horizon is NOT
widely extended, but he and his wife
have performed their duties bravely
ana efficiently, and the world and the
nation are better for their success
me university graduate went down
ike thousands of others because he
was careless of his health and lived
under conditions where constant care
ana watchfulness are the price of
health and success
Good health and good sense are two
OF life's greatest blessings" Don Ouix-
ote says that one of the greatest draw
backs of poverty is that it prevents
good works. However benevolent q
man may be, his Intentions are sterile