New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-07-07
An Imaginary Rich Maa,
Dying, Leaves q Mosssse

| OSun8s Leaves . message
The Great Man lay on his death.
bed, His physicians had given him
one week at the longest to live. Even
his wealth could not halt tho hand
that was reaching for him to guide
him into the Purple Beyond. Land
and castles were his. Servants an
swered his call and bowed to his
every whim. Industries trembled at
his voice. Elections had balanced
pending his decisions.
His lawyer had put his earthly
estate in order and the will convey
ing millions to individuals and insti-
buttons had been signed. The law
yer, who had been a life long friend,
sat in silence for a minute or more
and then, with the light or curiosity
in his eyes, said: "You, have lived
nearly to your allotted span. You
have amassed wealth. You have
reached the pinnacle of financial
success. Can you, In a few words,
express any one great truth that has
been hammered home on your mind
while you have been doing all the
great things that you have done?"
The sick man stirred. cleared his
throat, slowly opened his eyes and
gazed at the ceiling. The silence was
broken only by his labored breath
ing. Finally he spoke: Eyes, this
thing has been impressed on ME.
this above everything clse-there
ISN'T a,,., C.oto f1orS
The lawyer was puzzled. 1t seemed
to him that his client was in a state
of delirium. The sick man noted
his expression and with a wan smile
said II am not raving. ] mean
just what l say-there isn't any
Santa Claus. Nobody In this life
gives you anything. You must earn
everything you get. 1t is the law
of compensation. That's what i
mean"
II more young fellows would get
this brief resume of Life into their
minds and keep it there. the world
would hear less whining and whim-
pering. The young man, unhampered
by sickness, who declares that he
hasn't had a chance should realize
that chance does not stroll along
Main street ready to be buttonhofed.
It turks up side streets waiting to be
sought out 1t plays hide and seek
but it can be caught II the pursuer
is determined and backs up his de-
termination with persistence.
The history Of industry in Ameri-
ca reveals the engrossing story OF
men who started at the bottom ris-
ing to the top largely through their
own efforts. 1t may be chance tnat
they made the acquaintance OF men
who enabled them to enlarge their
field of opportunities but they ialo
the foundation. Schwab, clerk IN
a grocery store, was ready for bigger
game when the time came. Chrysler'
an engine wiper at eight cents an
hour, prepared for bigger things ana
was ready to seize the opportunity
to grow when it was offered to him.
The book of progress in Industry
could be thumbed over and over ana
on page after page the story OF
rise from obscurity to greatness
could be read.
Trouble with most Of us humans
is that we're too lazy. We expect
someone TO die and fill our pockets
with an inheritance. Or We expect
the boss to single us out for what
appears to be soft job With large
salary lust because he has taken
fancy to us. Or we won't climb the
trees to pick the fruit, expecting
that it will drop into our hands. or
we stop in Snug complaisance when
we have climbed a few rungs ana
imagine that we have arrived.
That's why there are so many young
men who stand along the curb ana
watch the successful business men
ride past in their motor cars and
complain that they haven't had
chance, All the barriers In the
world cannot stop the fellow who Is
determined to get over them. around
them or through them.
But they will never overcome
them while they wait for Santa
Claus, i'm the form of luck. to come
down the chimney and lay his bag
of good things in front of the fire.
place. There isn't any Santa Claus.