The Tragedy and Triumph of Youth, VI. Character and Courage Youth’s Capital

THE TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH OF YOUTH. BY J. E. HICKMAN, A. M., PRESIDENT OF THE MURDOCK ACADEMY.

VI.— CHARACTER AND COURAGE YOUTH'S CAPITAL. • All successful business institutions have a sinking fund for their protection in case of emergencies which may arise. Every youth, more, every human being, should have a sinking fund of reserve force, in the shape of character, for it is the soul's bul- wark and safe-guard in times of crises — financial or otherwise. There are few who do not meet their black Fridays or their Geth- semanes. At such times every trace of energy will be demanded in the white heat of adversity, when wealth melts like the hoar frost, when friends desert, and when upon the mental horizon there come dark clouds of oppression and grief, which will almost obscure the light of heaven. The muttering thunders of darker days will threaten; the lurid lightning of confusion and doubt will stagger. But if suchcharacters have led strenuous lives of pu- rity, of honor and of God-fearing devotion, they will emerge from trials cleaner, sweeter and stronger. They are the ozone of the soul. Trials are blessings in disguise if they are rightly endured, for they tend to bring out all that is good within. Disappointment and misfortune are the stress and strain in which we strengthen our characters. Character is wealth, it is stronger than capital. During the financial oppression from 1892 to 1895 a young business man of high moral repute lost his entire fortune of nearly a quarter of a million. Some one of his friends mentioned the fact of his failure to a millionaire, saying that he was almost a pauper. "Not so," replied this money king, "he is rich without a dollar. No man with such a pure, noble character can ever be

made poor. I am'willing to lend him without security more than he lost. His honor is his bond." In lS'.W-l, General Alford, that intrepid soldier and fin-

ancier, lost almost his entire fortune during his sickness and absence from home. He was also heavily obligated to a large

firm. He met with the members of that firm. Some of them were disposed to be caustic in their remarks. One member who was of a more kindly nature arose and said that since General Alford was bankrupt he moved that they take fifty cents on the dollar forwhat he was owing. The motion was carried. The chairman turned to Alford and asked if he would accept the terms. General Alford promptly replied that he woul.3 not. Another member of the firm arose and said that he did not blame Genera] Alford for not accepting the terms, for it would be an impossibil- ity for him to pay that amount. Whereupon this gentleman moved that it be twenty-five cents on the dollar instead of fifty. The directors asked General Alford if he would accept these terms. He replied that he would not, for it was unfair to him. The chair- man, mixing someTexas phraseology with common English, asked him what in the world he would do. "I propose," said General Alford, "to pay a hundred cents on the dollar. My honor is at stake, and I propose to make it good." He made it good. He paid every dollar, and has since nearly retrieved his entire fortune. Capi- talists who knew him, hearing of his failure, wrote and urged him to call on them for assistance, so great was their confidence in

him. Young men, this is an age for young, vigorous minds. The majority of business and educational institutions are manned by young men. A large per cent of the world's rulers are young n.en. Men of brains and push come to the front, not boys of

wealth. If you are poor, do not lament the fact, but thank God

and go ahead. Poverty gives an energy and a wholesome longing which stagnates in luxury and ease. The pent up energy of in- creasing desire to action has awakened youth to its best efforts. As a rule man does not profit by his opportunities, but by what necessity compels him to do, and at the same time, and from it, gains such fortitude as he never otherwise would have known. The child of wealth is too often deprived of this. The energy that