An artist has tried
to teach this in a picture. Father Time is there with inverted
hour-glass. A young man is lying at his ease on a luxurious couch,
while beside him is a table spread with rich fruits and viands.
Passing by him toward an open door are certain figures which represent
opportunities; they come to invite the young man to nobleness, to
manliness, to usefulness, to worth. First is a rugged, sun-browned
form, carrying a flail. This is labor. He invites the youth to toil.
He has already passed far by unheeded. Next is a philosopher, with
open book, inviting the young man to thought and study, that he may
master the secrets in the mystic volume. But this opportunity, too, is
disregarded. The youth has no desire for learning. Close behind the
philosopher comes a woman with bowed form, carrying a child. Her dress
betokens widowhood and poverty. Her hand is stretched out appealingly.
She craves charity. Looking closely at the picture we see that the
young man holds money in his hand. But he is clasping it tightly, and
the poor widow's pleading is in vain. Still another figure passes,
endeavoring to lure and woo him from his idle ease. It is the form of
a beautiful woman, who seeks by love to awaken in him noble purposes,
worthy of his powers, and to inspire him for ambitious efforts. One by
one these opportunities have passed, with their calls and invitations,
only to be unheeded.
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