Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-02-16
BUILDING A CAREER.
She .0hly snre Why by Which Ono
MRy BECOME Somebody

While it is true that distinction Is
sometimes thrust upon one, the surest
way 10 attain either fame or fortune
is 10 work for it. There are men who
have found easier routes. but, as they
arc exceptions to the rule. their ex-
periences are not safe guides for the
average man to follow. To be on the
safe side he should make up his mind
that lie will be compelled to work for
everything he il to have. Moreover, he
must be inspired with the determine
ton to work for it properly.
10 accomplish this feat two OF three
things are necessary. or these the
most important point is that he must
be willing TO begin at the bottom. To
Ito anything we'll it is necessary that
one should know how to do it, In this
respect at least the learning OF n trade
Is like mastering the nrt of house build
ing. To construct house properly
one cannot begin at the roof or even at
The second or third story The first
point that must be considered is the
laying of the foundation, and upon the
nature of this foundation depends the
character of The structure that is
placed upon il.
To master an art. trade or bust
ness. therefore, the pupil must put him.
self in thoroughly receptive condi-
ton. He must be ignorant, just az
child is ignorant, for he has yet to mas
ter the \ C's OF his profession. In
other words. before he can hope torbe
somebody he must be willing to be an
absolute nobody seeker after infor-
Mation al the bottom Of the ladder.
Aftcrward his ascent of the ladder
depends largely upon his own efforts
If lie is quick al the labor of mastering
details the period of his nonentjty will
be correspondingly brief. for it is in
a:n0n' s capn city TO absorb such details
that his right 10 progress asserts itself.
The success OF a structure Is largely
due to the attention which is given to
details which in themselves NAV seem
unmportani. Mans success in life
just as largely depends upon his ap-
probation of the little details upon
which even the largest venture is de.
pendent
AS one climbs. OF course the horizon
widens to view and opportunities pre-
cent themselves that are undreamed Of
so long as one remains on the lower
rungs OF the ladder. TO comprehend
their possibilities. however. one must
be capable of approaching such per.
spective. In this respect experience IL
Just as important factor as genius.
Genius is the intuitive ability to grasp
possibility. but experience IL neces-
sary to that condition Of perfect ap-
probation without which any great
achievement is impossible. To the per
feet completion OF any great attain
ment. therefore. the words Of one and
Two syllables which one learns at the
bottom OF the ladder are Just as i'm
portant. looked at from comparative
point OF view as are the intricate dis
tinctlons bel ween harmony and ,discord
which one cannot comprehend until he
has climbed TO one OF the higher rungs.
The founda ton stones may be Of
rougher material and of less artistic
conception than the gargoyles that
bcautify the top Of the structure, but If
The rough hewn foundations are not
laid securely even the most artistic of
gargoylcs will not save the building
from the disaster that is inevitable.
1t is the same way with a mains ca
reer. II lie is willing to begin at the
bottom, where. rs mere nobody, he
may take his first lesson in the art of
climbing, there is nothing, unless It be
his own lack Of industry, that need
prevent him from finally attaining a
position where he will be very much a
somebody.-Graham Hood In New
York Globe.