St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-07-02


pursuit or vocation in life.
l will repeat here in substance
what 1 have often said before
First: determine what YOU want to
do, then acquire an understand
ing of all that is necessary TO ac-
complish it most protitably and ef-
ficiently, then go about the doing
of it in an orderly and effective
way. By knowing what you want
to do and how to do it in advance
of the doing there is no waste ef-
fort of lost work, and you will
find in this the most effective Off
set for the high cost of living that
has yet been devised.
Observe; keep your eyes open.
When you see a farmer with neat
looking farm, sleek well-fed cattle,
good horse, nice comfortable
carriage, clean front yard and good
garden, just watch how he does 1t
and if you can catch him at work,
for that kind of a farmer has lots
of time to read and visit and take
such recreation from his labor as
every man should take, you will
find he works effectively, thinks out
and plans his work, does not dawdle
but works when he does work. He
directs and drives his work, his
work doesn't direct and drive him.
He believes that a stitch in time
saves nine. He doesn't wait for the
door or gate to break itself down
for want of a nail or stone to
drive it. Remember that it doesn't
take any longer, IL as long, to do
a piece of work when it should be
done than it will take to do it
after it should have been done, and
besides when done in time it is
much more effective.
The best kept house is that of
a housewife who never seems to be
busy or in a hurry. If you want
anything done promptly, go to a
busy man.
Be forehanded, to use an old
fashioned expression, and unless it
is in the legitimate conduct of your
business, don't make use of credit
in any business that you are not
thoroughly familiar with and
thoroughly underestimate you are
bound to speculate make it a cash
1t doesn't take any
longer to earn a dollar before you
spend it, than it does to earn it af-
ter it is spent, and besides if you
have it in hand you are apt to spend
it more wisely. Wait for luXuries
and even comfort until you can pay
for them and you avoid the discom-
forts of the future pay day. Over
of individual credits is
what produces bankruptcy and
panics. No power on earth can
produce either when credit is
kept within legitimate and reason
able bounds.
We have been speaking of in
Don't fall into the mis-
take of forming your own opinion
of your own intelligence or capacity
let others do that. 1t is only in
politics that your own claims to
to your own greatness are taken
seriously and where promises will
be taken sooner than a good record.
In real life it is reputation that OBJ
tains confidence for you, and rep
utation is based on performance not
on promise.
Be jealous of your reputation
You may sometimes even after the
of the best efforts be unfOr-
tunate, but if you have good reputa-
ton you can soon get on your feet,
ing unfortunate. 1t is not often
that misfortune is persistent with
out a cause and when there is
cause beyond your control a good
reputation will stand you in good
assistance.
Don't depend too much on others
People get tired when called on too
much.
The strongest pull and the heavi-
est push in this world is that which
you yourself create. Remember if
others have push or pull it is be-
cause of some force they exert
through some reputation they have
created. Observe-see how they
obtained it and get one for yourself.
Be seltishly Independent of, but
kindly helpful to others and you
cannot help but enjoy life.
Deliberate and with careful con-
sideration choose your vocation in
life and then stick to it. The other
mans job looks easier, but it isn't.
Don't be all the time thinking you
would rather do this or would
rather do something else. You
know Bret Harte said once, or rather
one of his characters did, that hehad
noticed that people didn't generally
get their "d'rathers. l might
''d'rather" be standing on the plat
form in a graduating class listen
ing to the good-natured advice of
some old man, but the wishing
wouldn't do me any good. So I
will wish you good luck and every
thing that is good in this world,
and l would be willing to guarantee
it to you if you will be as earnest
in your work as 1 am in my words
to you.
EGrrE,a