Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-14
HIT OR MISS

out with splashes of different colors here and there in random fashion, no two dishes likely to be of the same design
 What else than love of chance and hope of gain leads the broke to the stock exchange where fortunes are won and lost in a. day? Why does the inventor trust his life and limb to hazardous adventure? Why? But we need not multiply proofs that we are all garblers by nature. and like to FISK chances. Once in while we find an exception. I knew one woman who wanted a'rug hit or miss, but sho sewed her rags in regular arrange ment, so that they should miss just as she wanted them to. and they never failed to hit where she intended.
 This love of hit or miss led Earl Stanhope and his young wife to strive for a new home of their own in a re- zion far from their old associations and friends. Among these last were some who tried to discourage them, and keep them from going. You will fail in your plans and we'll have you back here poorer than when you went" croaked they.
 "Oh, no,' was the hopeful rejoinder, we are young and strong. We are willing to work hard. and shall get a home of our own. Don't fear for us. and in that spirit they started and succeeded.
 LAAb VI AAA4SSs l o1h 6OlllS IO thC NANy to try my luck declared Harold King q am tired of this hundrum life on farm. Nothing ventured, noth- ing won is my motto in the future
 Well" replied his brother Frank T shall remain here. Father needs one of us. for he is growing old and fee ble. I know of many ways to make the place more fruitful. and father does not object to my having my own way usually. I'll run my chances here for while longer"
 Well, you're welcome to do so. You never did have any ambition. I shall feel easier about the old folks with you here. I admit, and I'll soon be able to help you out, if you get into a. pinch"
 The pinch never came on the farm. but Harold was very glad to accept the occasional offer of a loan to tide him over tight place now and then.
 Hit or miss,'' said Ethel Blake. T am going to try for college. have a little money from Aunt Betty, and l can find something to do to help out. I can darn stockings for the other girls, if nothing else offers,'' and she held up the stocking in her hand in proof of her statement. T want to try it, anyway, and it will fit me for better wages in the future. I saw statement not long since of the aver age pay of teachers and it was pretty low. l don't want to be one of those that lessen the average, as it was said all untrained teachers did! To col lege she went. and outside her door was placed a notice that darning and repairing would be done neatly and quickly and at low rates. She found plenty of patrons, who expressed their gratitude, and paid their bills prompt ly. She made many friends among them all by 50 doing. and felt that she was gaining both respect and an in come by her decision. In after years it was pleasant to recall her college life, and many a vacation from scnool work was spent with the friends there acquired while she was able to assist her parents much more generously than she could otherwise have done. You were in the right of it, dear child,' said they. your college life has been a help to us all"
 Articles woven hit or miss have both sides alike, but in human affairs, there are two sides to the question. I'll manage somehow. hit or miss, thought Reginald Ranger, and the batter has money enough to help me through" so he loafed in his school days, and entered college with con ditions to be worked off. 'Tn get along. hit or miss said he again and the conditions remained against him and he was suspended. Poor Regi- nald's health gave out with such hard work" explained his fond mother, when people queried why Reginald re- turned nome. HIS 1dInST IdC0 grew stern, as he informed his son that he must go to work in the counting-room of the firm of which he was a mem Der. But work of any kind was not pleasing to the young man, who rely ing on his fathers aid. took liberties no other could claim, and was sur prised to receive a reprimand from his father with orders to attend strictly to business or be discharged to shift for himself. That opened his eyes somewhat, and he regretted the time wasted in previous years.
 He. like many others learned from his failures that life was something more than a dreamy indulgence. Hit or miss was no longer somehow to him. but an incentive to industry. and from that time he began to do a mans work in earnest. To his surprise the more earnestly he worked the more enjoyment he took in so doing.
 Which meaning are we going to hit or miss? Is it an incentive to work or a hindrance to effort?
 AN IDLER.