JULY 5, 1906 



Number 27 



«^» 



"Making Good" 



BY STRICKLAND W. GILLILAN 



My boy, you think that all you have to do is "make a hit;" 



To catch the public eye and ear, then evermore be " it;" 



You think one stroke sulli:ieat for one lifetime— may be two; 



That once a man is famous, there is nothing left to do. 



I hate to wake you, sonny, from your iridescent dream, 



And keep your skiff from drifting any further down the stream; 



But here's what I've discovere I: He who's done the best he couldi 



ft merely obligated juH tt> keep on ■• m iking good," 



One little flight's a promise that you'll spread your wings and spar; 



One decent job's an earnest that you'll do a thoasini more; 



One leap to public favor is a pledge that you will stay ; 



You can't do that unless you make a new mark every day. 



The jump you made to wealth or fame will do less good than harm, 



If, by your desultory style, you prove " a false alarm." 



One well-directed arrow never mide a Robin H])d; 



One winning stroke but binds y >» to the tixk of " making go > /." 



This world was not constructed for the lazy mm of dreams; 

 One flash is n)t a nugget,— jold is cjntaat with its gleans; 

 The world keeps locking higher than the level you've attained, 

 And thinks you retrograding till 'tis certain you have gained ; 

 No stand-still will it tolerate; slidj bi?k, and you will see 

 Your name among the " has beens' - as a harmless "used-to-be.' 

 The standard you established when you did the best you could 

 IViis but your affidavit that you'd keep i>u " making good.'' 



— Success Magazioe. 



