The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-10-01
Led by the Hand

2
Everyone recalls the old saw about opportunity knock
Ing but once, but every once in a while something comes
up to demonstrate that opportunity may be led around
by the hand and that the same result may be accom-
nlished as If she were permitted to take her own sweet
time.
The case Of Ernest Tang is one in point.
Mr.. Tang is a student at the state agricultural college,
mailing from the Cooperstown vicinity. If the dopesters
are correct, he is a pretty good football player, too. OF At
least he has the makings of one. But that Is not what
called him to our attention.
We are inclined to give Mi. Tang editorial consioera-
ton because of the unusual method he has chosen 70
work his way through college. Not to prolong the story.
be 1t known that MI. Tang shines shoes tor other per-
sons in the spare time he has between his studies ana
the football field. And some Of his patrons say that ne
serves up a really tasty shine" too.
All of which has q great deal to do with opportunity
or rather the lack Of 1t.
Here was q big, husky lad who wanted to go to school
and who needed more money to do so than he had.
Doubtless Tang sought other jobs which were more to
his liking and which would provide better pay with
less work. But no such jobs were offered.
Tang might have abandoned his plans. but he didn't.
The years were passing and he wanted to get started
with his scholastic career. And 40, since opportunity
seemed to have overlooked him. he decided to give Dame
Fortune some personal encouragement. He went out and
rot a lob doing whatever there was to be done. In this
case it was shining shoes.
There are occupations which are regarded as more
dirnified. and doubtless there are many persons attend
ing the agricultural college and other institutions OF
higher learning in this country who would feel them
selves disgraced were they to be seen shining their own
shoes, let alone the shoes Of another person. There
probably are young women attending such institutions
who would actively resent being seen with MI. Tang.
or q student similarly situated. were he to favor them
with his attentions.
It is to Tang's credit that considerations OF this char
acter did not deter him one whit. Shining shoes meant
q college career and he was not one to disdain the oppor-
tunity which it offered him. He showed the right spirit.
It is a pretty safe bet that he is a good shoeshiner. II
he weren't his football coach couldn't expect much from
him on the athletic field.
It is a pretty safe wager. too, that Mr.. Tang's oppo-
nents on the gridiron will know he is there in any game
which he plays. He may be, ~outplayed but such q lad
win hardly be outfought or outgamed. The will to win
Is there.
Lads with spirit such as Tang's. and common sense
such as he is demonstrating, are the hope Of America.
Such persons frequently rise to positions Of place and
power but they never forget the day when they worked
with their hands and they are never ~contemptuous Of
honest labor. They know that work, and honest work.
Is the hope, not only Of the individual but Of the nation.
And they knew, too, that opportunity is not . thing for
which to sit down and wait. Sometimes 1t may be led
BY the hand.