for a pen; but they gave him a spade,
And he half turned away with a shrug.
But he altered his mind, and seizing the spade--he dug.

He worked with a will that is bound to succeed,
And the months and the years went along.
The way it was rough and the labor was hard,
But his heart he kept filled with a song.
Some jeered him and sneered at the task; but he plugged
Just as hard as he ever could plug;
Their words never seemed to disturb him a bit--as he dug.

The day came at last when they called for the spade,
And gave him a pen in its place.
The joy of achievement was sweet to his taste,
And victory shone in his face.
We can't always get what we hope for at first--
Success cuts many queer jigs--
But one thing is sure, a boy will succeed--if he digs.

--_Pleasant Hours_.

There is no open door to the Temple of Success. Every man who enters
forges his own key and cannot effect an entrance for anyone else. Not
even his own children can pass this door. Remember that the key that
will unlock your greatest opportunities must be forged by yourself.
No outside Power, no help from friends or relations can do as much for
you as you can do for yourself.

It's doing your job the best you can
And being just to your fellowman;
It's making money, but holding friends,
And staying true to your aims and ends;
It's figuring how and learning why,
And looking forward and thinking high,
And dreaming a little and doing much;
It's always keeping in closest touch,
With what is finest in word and deed;
It's being thorough, yet making speed;
It's struggling on with a will to win,
But taking loss with a cheerful grin;
It's sharing sorrow and work and mirth
And making better this good old earth;
It's serving, striving through strain and stress,
It's doing your noblest--that's Success.

_Six Suggestions for Success_

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater
achievement of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times, and to have a smile for
every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you will have
no time to criticize others.

To be too big for worry, too noble for anger and too strong for fear.

To think well of your self and to proclaim this fact to the world--not
in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the world is on your side so long as yo