Rising in the World CHAPTER 1.
Back to Rising in the World
Two young men of nearly equal abilities, left college at the same time. Their names were Lawrence Dunbar and Lloyd Hudson.
Mr. Dunbar, the father of Lawrence, was a retail grocer in Philadelphia. He had, in early life, received but few educational advantages; and, in consequence thereof, saw many opportunities for rising above his condition, pass unimproved. Fully sensible of the advanced position which a liberal education gives to every man, he determined that no expense, in his power to meet, should be spared — in order to have his son thoroughly furnished in everything required to place him side by side in the race for wealth and distinction with the best in the land. To this end, he used the utmost economy in his family, in order that he might be able to send his son to college. In doing this, he was unjust to the sisters of Lawrence; who were neither taught music nor dancing, nor, in fact, anything for which the father had to pay a single dollar. The advantages afforded by the public schools were deemed ample for them. Upon the son, Mr. Dunbar lavished all that he could spare, as an investment that would pay well at some future day.
Near neighbor to Mr. Dunbar, lived an industrious, intelligent watchmaker, named Hudson, whose family consisted of a son and two daughters. Mr. Hudson saw quite as clearly as did Mr. Dunbar, the great advantage which every young man possesses, who is blessed with a liberal education: and it had been his intention, from the first, to give his son every opportunity in his power for acquiring information. But, in considering the son, he did not disregard his daughters.
Lloyd Hudson and Lawrence Dunbar were entered at college, for a four years' course, at the same time. They had grown up together as boys, and were pleased at the prospect of going through their higher studies together.
At college, the characters of the young men began to harden into more permanent forms than they had before assumed, and to show distinctive features. Home influences and precepts, uniting with hereditary tendencies, gave to each its peculiar modification.
During the whole time that they remained at college, the young men, though unlike in disposition, were particular friends, and often conversed together of their future prospects. One of these conversations, held only the day previous to their starting for home, after having completed their course, will give some idea of the difference which existed between them.
"There is no time to be lost now," remarked young Dunbar. Here we are, twenty years of age, and the study of a profession yet to be entered upon. You, strangely enough, talk of medicine."
"Why do you say, strangely?" asked Hudson. "There must be physicians, as well as lawyers and merchants."
"And so there must be cobblers and tinkers. You have talents and education, Lloyd, and if you properly apply them, will rise in the world. Every man should look to this."
"What do you mean by rising in the world?"
"Becoming rich and distinguished. At the bar, a man of talents and force of character, may rise to eminence in a few years. Eminence in the legal profession brings wealth as a necessary consequence. In mercantile pursuits, the same road to wealth and honor is open. But to what can a poor physician look forward?"
"There are many eminent physicians."
"Eminent for what? For making pills and plasters?"
"Eminent for usefulness," said Hudson, calmly.
"Usefulness!" Dunbar uttered this word with manifest contempt. "My ambition does not lie in that direction. I am not a 'saint'."
"To be eminently useful, is the highest distinction attainable. What are great wealth or brilliant talents, if not applied to a good purpose?" replied Hudson. "I will read you a passage in the last letter I received from my father on this very subject, to show you how he thinks — and I must own that I think with him." And the young man drew a letter from his pocket, and read —
"Having completed your collegiate course, your next step, my son, is to decide upon the calling you mean to pursue. In coming to this decision, let me admonish you to look well to the motives which prompt your choice. If you feel a selfish regard to your own advancement in the world — then struggle against and repress it! For, though by this you may attain wealth and a name, it will never bring you happiness, and that highest of all honors, the reputation of having accomplished some good for your fellow men. Have, therefore, in choosing a profession, regard to the good you may be able to do — as well as to the good to yourself which you wish to obtain.
"You have spoken of medicine. There are ways in life which lead more certainly to wealth; and there are avenues to distinction more easily trodden. But if your mind turns towards the medical profession, with anything like a desire to enter into it — I will not speak a word against your choice. You will find it an arduous calling, but one in which you can do much good; and one in which your own character may be purified and elevated. You will rise into eminence — true eminence — here, as well as in any other pursuit; for I know you have the required ability, and I believe you are not under the dominion of merely selfish purposes."
"All that is very good in the abstract," returned Dunbar; "but few, if any, can carry out in life the unselfish purposes from which your father expects you to act. It is not in us. Now, I think my father understands human nature, and the springs of human impulses better than your father does, and as you have given me the benefit of your parental suggestions, I will give you the benefit of mine;" and the young man drew a letter from his pocket and read:
"I have been weighing with great deliberation what you say about the choice of a profession, and, like you, am not yet able to decide which is best. At the bar, you will rise in the world, and gain distinction as a man of talents; while in mercantile pursuits, you will attain wealth and the elevation in society which its possession always gives. In either profession, if you are patient, sagacious, and persevering — your talents and education will carry you up to a high place. Now as to which of the two conditions is most desirable, I am hardly able to determine.
"Wealth gives great advantages and great power; while eminence in a profession like the law opens a wide field to ambition, at the same time that it ensures ample means, if not extensive wealth. When we meet, we will consider these matters together, and arrive at some certain conclusion. There is no time to be lost."
"Now, all that, I can understand," said young Dunbar. "But I must own that what your father says finds no response in my bosom. I suppose a doctor may be very useful to his fellows, but who thanks him for it, or even pays his bills, moderate as they may be, without grumbling? As for me, I don't see any particular pleasure that I would derive from devoting myself to the good of others, and especially in so slavish a calling as that of the physician. And it's my opinion that you will be sick of it before you are ten years older."
"As to that," replied Hudson, "I do not expect to find all plain sailing — let me adopt whatever pursuit I may. Medicine I incline to as a profession, though not because I can be more useful in it than I can be in any other; for every regular calling in life regards the common good, and in each and all of them, men may engage with unselfish motives; but because it suits my temper of mind, and I can see clearly how in the practice of it, I can attain the requisite external things I need, at the same time that I can be of great use to my fellows. As for the ambition to rise in the world to a distinguished position, of which you speak, I must own that I do not feel as strongly as you do, its impulses. That I shall rise just as high as I deserve, there is not the least doubt, and with this conviction, I am content to enter upon the life-toil that is before me, with patient confidence that all will come out right in the future."
"Too solemn a philosophy for me, Lloyd," returned Dunbar. "I feel the spurs of ambition already piercing my sides. I am resolved to rise in the world! I know that I possess the ability, and I mean to tax it to the utmost. As for other men's good, let them take care of that themselves. I shall seek my own, well convinced that if I do not, there will be no one to seek it for me."
"To regard the good of others, while we seek our own — is by no means a difficult thing," replied Hudson. "This is a truth which I have been taught by my father from the first. Indeed, he has ever sought most earnestly to impress it upon my mind."
"He is not anxious to see you rise in the world?" said Dunbar.
"Most anxious; for, he says, the higher I rise — the more extended will be my sphere of usefulness. But when he speaks of rising in the world, he means something more than the mere attainment of wealth, or honorable distinction in the eyes of men."
"What more can he mean?"
"No man truly rises in the world, he says, who does not overcome and rise above the evil and selfish passions of his nature. There is an internal as well as an externalelevation; and the latter without the former, is, in his estimation, more of a curse, than a blessing. To rise internally as well as externally — we must regard the good of others as well as our own good, in all the acts of of our lives. Can you not see this?"
"Dimly — that is all."
"Even that is something."
"But it is altogether impracticable. A kind of Utopian philosophy — beautiful to look upon, but impossible to introduce into real life."
"Not at all, Lawrence. I believe that my father strictly regards the good of others in every business transaction!"
"He has that reputation certainly, and, I will believe, justly. I have heard my father say, that he was the most honest and unselfish man he had ever known. But, look at the result. Your father has attained neither wealth nor eminence, though a man of good mind."
"The reason is plain. Lack of education, and early opportunity. But we have just what he lacked."
"Well, Lloyd," returned Dunbar, "all that I have to say on this subject is, that if you have any fancy for this looking after other people's affairs — I have not. I think I shall find just as much as I can well do, in looking after and taking care of my own interests. My father has set his heart on seeing me rise in the world, and has sacrificed much to that end; he shall not be disappointed, unless the Fates are against me. I mean to rise. If I fail in my purpose, the fault shall not lie at my door."
"And I mean to rise also," said Hudson, in a calm, yet firm voice. "All these severe and prolonged studies which I have entered into and passed through, cannot remain unproductive in my mind. They will give me the power of self-elevation; and that power I intend calling into full requisition. What the particular result will be, I cannot tell, nor am I in any concern about it. That all will come out right, both in regard to myself and others, I do not doubt."
Back to Rising in the World