The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-05-04
CALLS LIFE A FAILURE
ONE MAN THAT EVIDENTLY
CHERISHES NO ILLUSIONS,
Possibly the Worlds Verdict Would
Be the Same as His Own, but
Many There Be Who Envy
Him His Record.

The following human document" Is
placed at our disposal for what it may
be worth, declares the Chicago Rec
1prd-Herald. We shall make no attempt
TO pass judgment upon it, preferring
70 let our readers do that for them.
selves.
Il am probably a failure. Do not
hastily conclude that I need food or
clothes or that may become q future
ward OF charity. have a little homo
which has been paid for out Of my
EARNINGS. have three children whom
have managed to send through col.
Hege, and 1 have been able to save
enough money to provide such things
~ shall need after my earning power
y gone. But I am probably a failure.
Let 1t be understood that I have
never willingly or knowingly wronged
any one; that have been a law-abid-
ing citizen; that I have kept myself
nee from debasing habits; that l have
always endeavored to vote for tho
good OF my country, of my state, and
OF my city, rather than for the bene-
1t OF any man or party, and that I
have tried to keep my heart as clean
as If 1t, like my face, were visible to
the world.
Il have no quarrel with people who
do not believe as l believe. I &C.
knowledge that there may be things
which l do not understand, that q
q ri1
/ think it wrong, and that a thing is
not made right merely because 1 sup
pose it to be right. It is probable,
however, that the people who fix our
standards of success, the people who
are leaders In society, the people in
authority, would, if my case were
brought to their notice, consider me a
failure. I have not accumulated a for
tune. l have not caused my name to
become familiar to the public. Few
people consider my favor worth court
Ing. II l coin an epigram 1t is I'm.
noticed, owing to my obscurity, and
nave never been guest of honor.
Il believe I am qualified to fill ny
high position except that of champion
heavyweight pugilist, but have never
been called upon to accept executive
responsibilities. have in an obscure,
subordinate position done my work
skillfully and conscientiously, and
have been permitted to remain in it
nndisturbed.
II have not the slightest doubt that
Il because of some upheaval of nature
or through some other extraordinary
agency I had been hurled out of my
little, unimportant corner into some
high place, I should have been able
to prove my fitness as an administra-
tive genius, a master of strategy or
transcendent organizer. But no up
heaval has occurred: I have waited
patiently for the reward which we are
assured must come to him who does
we'll that which he has to do, and l
begin to see my superiors cast furtive
chances at me and shake their heads,
and in fancy hear them say:
"'Poor old chap! He is faithful,
ent, and in a little while he will have
Outlived his usefulness.'
$50 must write myself down fail.
ure. If l did not do so the world
would do so for me. 1 have not been
tried and found wanting. If that had
happened I should have no reason to
complain because the world has decid-
ed that I am unworthy. l have not
been tried at all, yet judgment has
been passed upon me- That is my
grievance