streets a banner
inscribed, "bread or blood." They propose to make those who have worked
intelligently for money, now divide. Would it not look far more sensible
if the banner bore the inscription, henceforth, I will boycott the
tobacconist, and will vote for no man who is not pledged to suppress the
saloon oligarchy?

Amos Lawrence had not the benefit of the philanthropic teaching of our
age, but he had a common sense, and a sense of taste and judgment far in
advance of his time. These were the principles with which he laid the
foundation to that great fortune and enviable reputation which he lived
to enjoy, and which his name will ever recall. We have seen that good
habits were the foundation of his success. He also improved his
opportunities. He became perfectly familiar with the drug department of
the store. He determined early in life to become a wealthy and
influential man. To determine to do anything is half the battle. "Doubt
indulged becomes doubt realized." "To think a thing impossible is to
make it so." "Courage is victory, timidity is defeat." Men who
understand these maxims are men who invariably succeed. I say
invariably--a man may think he understands when he is groping in
midnight darkness. A young man who really is destined to succeed, not
only INTENDS to become a rich man, or whatever he aspires to be, but
lays plans to that end, and is not discouraged if they are blasted. He
only recognizes that he is foiled, for the time being, and never doubts
his ability to succeed ultimately. There is a difference between a
blustering braggadocio and a quiet, unassuming confidence in one's self.
One leads to certain victory, the other, to as certain defeat.

Young Lawrence had served his seven long years of apprenticeship, and
had no better opportunity presented itself, he would have succeeded, for
he had his plans carefully laid to remain in Groton, and if he had, he
would have succeeded. But a merchant who had seen him at the store of
his employer, no sooner learned of his release than he immediately
hired him to come to Boston to enter his store there. "Seest thou a man
diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not
stand before mean men." Thither he went part of the way on foot; the
rest of the way with an accommodating neighbor who was driving in that
direction. He determined to make for himself here a record for honesty,
and so well did he succeed, that the next year he started business