s determined to succeed from the first. He mastered his
business, taking time and going thorough. When once the business was
mastered his light began to shine. Possibly the gentleman helped him to
a higher salary than he might have accepted, but it is also evident that
his ability was manifest. The gentleman knew whereof he spoke. The old
proverb that "Circumstances make men" is simply a wolf in wool. Whether
a man is conditioned high or low; in the city or on the farm: "If he
will; he will." "They can who think they can." "Wishes fail but wills
prevail." "Labor is luck." It is better to make our descendants proud of
us than to be proud of our ancestry. There is hardly a conceivable
obstacle to success that some of our successful men have not overcome:
"What man has done, man can do." "Strong men have wills; weak ones,
wishes."

In the contest, wills prevail. Some writers would make men sticks
carried whither the tide takes them. We have seen that biography vetoes
this theory. Will makes circumstances instead of being ruled by them.
Alexander Stephens, with a dwarf's body, did a giant's work. With a
broken scythe in the race he over-matched those with fine
mowing-machines. Will-power, directed by a mind that was often
replenished, accomplished the desired result.

Any one can drift. It takes pluck to stem an unfavorable current. A man
fails and lays it to circumstances. The fact too frequently is that he
swallowed luxuries beyond his means. A gentleman asked a child who made
him. The answer was: "God made me so long--measuring the length of a
baby--and I growed the rest." The mistake of the little deist in leaving
out the God of his growth illustrates a conviction: We are what we make
ourselves.

Garfield once said: "If the power to do hard work is not talent it is
the best possible substitute for it." Things don't turn up in this world
until some one turns them up. A POUND of pluck is worth a TON of luck.
Luck is a false light; you may follow it to ruin, but never to success.
If a man has ability which is reinforced by energy, the fact is
manifest, and he will not lack opportunities. The fortunes of mankind
depend so much upon themselves, that it is entirely legitimate to
enquire by what means each may make or mar his own happiness; may
achieve success or bring upon himself the sufferings of failure.

CONCENTRATION OF EFFORT.

The man who has no occupation, is in a sad plight: The man who lacks
concentrat