CLASS-LIBRARY READINGS MAKING GOOD AT ONE'S WORK I. 'Sidney Lanier, Poet," Makers of Our History, 343–352. 2. "Peter Cooper, Friend of Boys," ibid., 173–184. 3. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Washington Irving, in The Promise of Country Life, 270–303. 4. "Hoeing Turnips," R. Connor, in Stories of the Day's Work, 212– 225. 5. "Building Up a Paper Route," A. D: Meister, ibid., 291–296. 6. "Pitcher, Shortstop, or Outfielder," E. B. Lincoln, in A Vocational Reader, 20-25. 7. "Sally Patton's Quiet Day," F. M. Fox, ibid., 175–181. 8. "The Girl President of Wellesley," Anonymous, ibid., 191–198. 9. "Preparing to be a Teacher," K. W. Gehrkens, ibid., 211–215. 10. “Department-Store Education," H. R. Fox, Opportunities of Today, 216–218. II. "The Rules of the Game," S. E. White, in Joy in Work, 121–135. 12. "Cooking When Mother Is Sick," Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia, 2: 875-878. The world bestows its big prizes, both in money and honors, for but one thing, and that is INITIATIVE. What is INITIATIVE? I'll tell you: It is doing the right thing without being told. thing without being told is to That is to say, carry the mes But next to doing the right do it when you are told once. sage to Garcia; those who carry a message get high honors, but their pay is not always in proportion. Next, there are those who never do a thing until they are told twice; such get no honors and small pay. Next, there are those who do the right thing only when necessity kicks them from behind, and these get indifference instead of honors, and pittance for pay. This kind spend most of the time polishing a bench with a hard luck story. Then, still lower down in the scale than this we have the fellow who will not do the right thing even when some one goes along to show him how and stays to see that he does it; he is always out of a job, and receives the contempt he deserves, unless he has a rich Pa, in which case destiny patiently waits around the corner with a stuffed club. To which class do you belong? CLASS ACTIVITIES 1. Compare this definition of initiative with the one found in the dictionary. 2. Name the kinds of workers Hubbard describes. 3. Notice how Hubbard gradually goes down the scale of workers. Try making a descending scale of workers which will apply especially to pupils in school. 4. Look over the tables of contents in Book One and Book Two. Name men and women mentioned in both books who possessed initiative as Hubbard defines it. What three had the most initiative? Make a class list of the ten most successful men, to use in Class Activities after the next selection. 5. Answer Hubbard's final question for yourself, secretly, without saying a word to any one. 2. BOY WANTED FRANK CRANE How many new items can you find here for your "Application List"? A boy who stands straight, sits straight, acts straight, and talks straight. A boy who listens carefully when spoken to, who asks questions when he does not understand, and does not ask questions about things that are none of his business. A boy whose finger-nails are not in mourning, whose ears are clean, whose shoes are polished, whose clothes are brushed, whose hair is combed, and whose teeth are well cared for. A boy who moves quickly and makes as little noise about it as possible. A boy who whistles in the street but not where he ought to keep still. A boy who looks cheerful, has a ready smile for everybody, and never sulks. A boy who is polite to every man and respectful to every woman and girl. A boy who does not smoke cigarettes and has no desire to learn how. A boy who never bullies other boys or allows other boys to bully him. A boy who, when he does not know a thing, says: "I do not know"; and when he has made a mistake says: "I'm sorry"; and when requested to do a thing immediately says: "I'll try." A boy who looks you right in the eye and tells the truth every time. A boy who would rather lose his job or be expelled from school than tell a lie or be a cad. A boy who is more eager to know how to speak good English than to talk slang. A boy who does not want to be "smart" nor in anywise attract attention. A boy who is eager to read good, wholesome books. A boy whom other boys like. A boy who is perfectly at ease in the company of respectable girls. A boy who is not a goody-goody, a prig, or a little Pharisee, but just healthy, happy, and full of life. A boy who is not sorry for himself and not forever thinking and talking about himself. A boy who is friendly with his mother and more intimate with her than with any one else. A boy who makes you feel good when he is around. This boy is wanted everywhere. The family wants him, the school wants him, the office wants him, the boys and girls want him, and all creation wants him. CLASS ACTIVITIES 1. From the list of men showing initiative, made according to directions on p. 471, choose names which you might suitably place after ten of the paragraphs in "Boy Wanted." Compare your results and, after discussion, decide what names are most suit ably chosen. 2. What boy in Book One or Book Two best fits the advertisement "Boy Wanted"? What boy fits it least? 3. TRY AGAIN WILLIAM EDWARD HICKSON These familiar lines by William Edward Hickson have been as often quoted as some of the best-loved verse in our language. 'Tis a lesson you should heed, Try again; If at first you don't succeed, Then your courage should appear, For if you will persevere, You will conquer, never fear, Once or twice, though you should fail, If you would at last prevail, Try again; If we strive, 'tis no disgrace Though we do not win the race; What should we do in that case? If you find your task is hard, Time will bring you your reward, All that other folk can do Why, with patience, may not you? Only keep this rule in view, Try again. |