The leer of the man who has sold lemonade in a circus has a strange
charm for a young man. It has a strange repulsiveness for the "solid
man" of business. The look of a man with a cigar put in his mouth at a
sharp upward angle and with a hat lurched like the cargo of a bad
sailer, has a strong fascination for a young man. It is a strong
irritant to the man whose companionship is an honor. You cannot do
better than to frequent some church, rent a sitting, and have a
positive engagement two or three times a week. You are a great gainer by
this. It may cost you a little; but you will get all that back in moral
capital--just as valuable in business as money. Says George Washington:
"The company in which you will improve most will be least expensive to
you." In your church you will meet men who do not live all for
themselves, as does the dominant mind in the bar-room. Their drill and
discipline have made them more unselfish. They will help you in many
ways. They will throw a rope to you and pull you aboard. Sooner or later
your association with them will get you position, respect, family,
happiness, success, and above all, that peace which passeth all
understanding. Do not take this as preaching. It is as practical as
anything in this book. Chesterfield says: "No man can possibly improve
in any company for which he has not respect enough to be under some
degree of restraint." What makes mankind revere Shakspeare Because he
said fine things? No. But because he said true things. Listen to him:
"It is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught,
as men take diseases of one another."