Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-16

CTRANGE as It may seem, it is neverthe-
- less true that it is more difficult to form
bad habits than good ones. The initial acts
that lead. to the habit had deterrent In
them which was intended for warning. lt
is doubtful whether any drunlSard enjoyed
his first glass of whisky. The dishonest
worker performed his first dishonest work in
fear of detection and with consciousness
of shame The spendthrift's early squander-
ing aroused q protest from the instinct of
acquisitiveness which seems to be born with
every creature. The first cigar usually dis
turbs the stomach to the point of rebellion
The impatience an unpunctual man always
feels against another who is late for an ap-
pointment indicates that the honor of pune
tuality was a part of our original stock In
trade. The ingrained law of self-preserva-
ton flags men against the early steps of
course that may jeopardize all they hold
most dear.
Although bad habits tenacious they are
not omnpotent and can be easily broken In
their beginnings. But the stimulation to
cast off the binding threads before they hold
us like cables can only come when the con-
sequences of persistence clearly realized.
Where one man is thwarted by lack of ability
there are thousand baked and ruined by
slothful, useless or perncious habits.
The Boy Farragut
"When was young was with my foster
father on board a man. -of-war" said Ad-
mral Farragut. "I had some qualities that
/ thought made man of me. / could swear
like an old salt, could drink as stiff glass of
grog as If 1 had doubled Cape Horn, and
could smoke like a locomotive. I was great
at cards and fond of games in every shape.
At the close of dinner one day father turned
every one out of the cabin, locked the door,
and said:
"'David. what do you mean to be?'
I mean to follow the sea-
"Follow the sea! Yes. be poor, miser-
able, drunken sailor before the mast, to be
kicked and cuffed about the world and die
in some fever hospital in a foreign land. No,
David, no boy ever trod the quarterback
with such principles as you have, and such
habits as you exhibit. You'll have to change
your whole course of life If you ever become
a man.
my father left and went on deck.
was stunned by the rebuke and overwhelmed
with humiliation. "A poor miserable, drunken
sailor before the mast, to be kicked and
cuffed about the world, and die in some fever
hospital in a foreign landp That is to be
my fate thought, mo. I'll change my life
at once. I'll never utter another OATH never
drink another drop of liquor, and never
gamble I have kept these three vows ever
since"
or course, 1t Is far easier to break sense
less. useless OF vicious habits in the period of
youth than later. But it is not impossible at
any time mans reserves of strength are
such that II he win summon them and direct
them Alright he can free himself from habits
that have been hampering or cursing him for
years Too many men are under the illusion
kk.aA Cot tT,,.. aa..v EafN
some sinister fate has condemned them to
live under despotism they cannot throw off.
that what they have felt long they must
continue to feel to the end
The Bondage of the Elephant
An elephant is usually tethered by a heavy
chain wound around one of his hind legs and
secured TO a post stake. After years of
such bondage he settles down to the convic-
tion that he cannot get free. When this idea
is firmly fxed In the mind of the powerful
beast his keeper can tie him with wisp OF
straw In place OF the chain. He stin stands
there under the impression that he cannot
get loose while in reality he could end his
bondage In a moment.
There are multitudes of men who are
bound by habits which they believe to be un-
breakable, and they have given up all hope
never making an effort TO be free Their
case Is not as bad they imagine Expert
enee teaches that men may liberate them
selves, that they can make new start In
life II they frmly try TO do 50. that many OF
the mistakes OF the past can be retrieved
Two or three rules must be followed In
breaking foolish or harmful habits In the
hrst place there must be a great incentivs
''the expulsiYe power OF a new Affection
STUDY the opportunities and possibilities that
are open to those who have q conauering
win. Read the Biographies Of successful men
until they nre the imagination ana awaken
Il he nlna - naarL = ---.-L 1890