But we all know where the
compensation lies in this case. It is in such circumstances that grand
manhood is grown, while too often the petted, pampered sons of luxury
come to nothing. In the rugged hills of toil and hardship, life's
finest gold is found.
There are few things from which young people of wealthy families suffer
more than from over-help. No noble-spirited young man wants life made
too easy for him by the toil of others. What he desires is an
opportunity to work for himself. There are some things no other one
can give us; we must get them for ourselves. Our bodies must grow
through our own exertions. Our minds must be disciplined through our
own study. Our hearts' powers must be developed and trained through
our own loving and doing. One writes of two friends and two ways of
showing friendship:--
"One brought a crystal goblet overfull
Of water he had dipped from flowing streams
That rose afar where I had never trod--
Too far for even my quickened eye to see.
They were fair heights, familiar to his feet--
They were cool springs that greeted him at morn,
And made him fresh when noon was burning high,
And sang to him when all the stars were out;
His hand had led them forth, and their pure life
Was husbanded, with sacred thrift, for flower,
And bird, and beast, and man. The hills were his,
And his the bright, sweet water.
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