CHAPTER II.
SEIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
"The blowing winds are but our servants When we hoist a sail." You must come to know that each admirable genius is but a successful diver in that sea whose floor of pearls is all your own.
-- EMERSON.
Who waits until the wind shall silent keep, Who never finds the ready hour to sow, Who watcheth clouds, will have no time to reap.
-- HELEN HUNT JACKSON.
The secret of success in life is for a man _to be ready for his opportunity_ when it comes.
-- DISRAELI.
Do the best you can where you are; and, when that is accomplished, God will open a door for you, and a voice will call, "Come up hither into a higher sphere." -- BEECHER.
Our grand business is, not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
-- CARLYLE.
"When I was a boy," said General Grant, "my mother one morning found herself without butter for breakfast, and sent me to borrow some from a neighbor.

Going into the house without knocking, I overheard a letter read from the son of a neighbor, who was then at West Point, stating that he had failed in examination and was coming home.

I got the butter, took it home, and, without waiting for breakfast ran to the office of the congressman for our district.

'Mr.Hamer,' I said, 'will you appoint me to West Point ?' 'No, -- -- is there, and has three years to serve.' 'But suppose he should fail, will you send me ?' Mr.Hamer laughed.

'If he don't go through, no use for you to try, Uly.' 'Promise me you will give me the chance, Mr.Hamer, anyhow.' Mr.Hamer promised.
The next day the defeated lad came home, and the congressman, laughing at my sharpness, gave me the appointment.