's a pity," said one of the group, who was a famous Washington
newspaper correspondent, "that _that_ man has never married."

He was talking of another very strong professional and political man
who had reached more than forty years of age and was still a bachelor.
"He needs the finer sense and restraining influence of woman in his
life."

The remark of the first speaker instantly recalled an observation made
several years ago by another very astute--even great--politician in
the minor and narrow sense of that word. He was at that time a
candidate for the nomination for President, and, according to all the
tricks of the game of politics, should have won it; but he failed, as,
it seems, with two exceptions, all mere politicians have failed in
securing that most exalted office in the world.

This political candidate actually knew the leading men in each state,
and in each part of each state--so careful and thorough had been his
purely personal preparation. "How is Mr. ----, of ----, in your state?
I hope he is well. He is a keen and persistent man," was his inquiry
of and comment on a certain man. And he asked questions concerning
three or four. Among them he said: "And Mr. ----, of your state; how
is his health? He is very brilliant, yes, even able, but--he drinks
too much."

Three generalizations may justly be deducted from the above discursive
talk. They are practically the ones with which for many years I have
been impressed--namely, that that man will be of very little present
use, and of no permanent and ultimate value to the world or to
himself, who drinks too much, who talks too much, or who thinks he can
get along without the ennobling influence of women.

Let us take them one at a time. A young man could hardly do a more
fatal thing than to fall into the habit of taking stimulants. This is
no temperance lecture. It is merely a summary of suggestions, by
observing which the young man may avoid a few of the rocks in his
necessarily rugged pathway to success. I emphasized this in two
preceding chapters and shall reiterate it again and again; for I am
trying to say a helpful word to _you_; and all your talents will be
folly and all your toil the labor of Sisyphus if you companion with
the bottle.

The belief sometimes entertained, that it is necessary to drink in
order to impress your sociability upon companions who also drink, is
utterly erroneous. One day a dinner was given by one of the great
lawyers of t