Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-03-16
IF I WERE TwENTY-ONE.
BY Charles Scanlon.

lire again, with the morning sunlight
in my face. what would | try TO do
and be? II is not necessary that one
shall be either saint or a Solomon to
express judgment on a question like
this.
Some of the things here mentioned
| did do and some of them did no,
do, but out, Of the experience and
knowledge OF one who is looking back
ward and forward over a road which
is travelled but once and therefore un-
known at the start, these suggestions
are made. They are not presented
as a complete nor an ideal program
Tor every one nor for any life, nor in
any supposed order of Importance or
time, but just as they have come to
me- Some would add to these sugges-
tons and some would substract from
them and some would make an entire
~ different program, but here is the
honest Judgment of one who has seen
something of life and the world. and
believes that the things here suggested
VIII bring large measure of happiness
and usefulness to the average person.
l. II | were twenty-one, would take
every reasonable care of nv health,
Vitality is as definite as a bank account
and like it in some other respects. Some
people Inherit more than others, some
improve it and some waste IT, Anv
needless draught on health or vitality
Is more foolish than squanderinp
money. would learn to play as well
as work.
2. would unite with some church
where plain, intelligent people worship
ood' and where gospel based inn
plicitly upon the Bible is preached with
earnestness and sincerity. would
endeavor in letter and in spirit to be
true and faithful to my religious vows.
5. | would try to secure an educa-
ton that would fit me for what desired
and expected to do, and supplement il
oy reading good books and papers.
4. would choose a profession or
business which is honorable and use.
ful, and would not subject me to re.
moval or dismissal at the will of anoth-
er. would avoid any course which
contemplated living by my wits or in
volved cant, cunning, injustice, insin-
certify, or which purchased comfort
or power at the expense Of others.
5. Whatever my income, barring mis-
fortune, would spend less than earn
ed, and adhere rigidly to this policy. !
would avoid cultivating a desire for
things which I could not have within
the above limit.
o. would not spend all had to
spare on myself nor my family, but give
something to the church and other good
causes, and worthy people less FORUM
ate than myself.
Z. | would take life insurance pol
icy in some reliable old-line company,
if possible on the twenty or thirty-year
endowment plan, or as second best, in
a fraternal order, il satisfied that the
rates in the latter would not be un-
duly increased late in life.
8. would cultivate the habit OF
punctuality and be on time starting to
church, to school, to the train or to
keep engagements, and thus avoid ir-
ritating other people by wasting their
time and the temptation OF making
really false excuses for being late.
9. I would not tell nor listen to nor
read indicate stories, nor look at vile
pictures, nor associate with people OF
low minds and ideals.
10. | would form the acquaintance
Of strong, good people who are Sue
cessful and would study their prin-
ciples, habits and characters.
4. would not boast nor swagger,
nor try to impress others with my
wisdom or Importance. | would think
and speak favorably of others when
truth and justice permitted. | would
be respectful to old people and
courteous to all.
~. would strive to deserve the re-
spect and confidence and good will Of
all right-minded people, especially little
children and others who might be in
huenced by me.
IS. would read to quicken my mind
and increase my fund Of knowledge,
write to clarity and crystalline my
thought and speak in public, to learn
to express myself readily and think
on my feet. would avoid slang but |