APOLOGETIC. 



11' it lie Inu- that " good wine nc-cds no busli," it ought 

 to he true that a good book needs no apology. " But." 

 my reader may ask, "is your hook a good one, or does 

 its goodness rest only on tlic uKxlest o])inion of its 

 author i"" Dear reader, I may safely say, without stretch- 

 ing the l)Ounds of modesty, that any book whose aim is 

 to lengthen and tnake bettc-r the life t)r the American bus- 

 iness man and to show him the most enjoyable way to do 

 it, must be a good book. "But why the American busi- 

 ness man rather than another?" Because he is the man 

 whose manner of life alTords the broadest room for 

 improvement. He is the man wiio in his fierce chase 

 afer the almighty dollar forgets that there are such things 

 as health and happiness and personal comfort, or if he 

 remembers them it is only to see that they step to the side 

 and not stand in the way of his chase. To stop for rest 

 or recreation would be extravagance, especially as he 

 knows no need of either. A knowledge of the need, 

 however, is sure to come, and when it does he may thank 

 his stars if it hasn't come too late. You cannot teach an 

 oltl dog new tricks nor can yon disentangle the halnts ot 

 a life time from their worry and care and weave the worn 

 threads into youthful toggery. 

 Too late! Too late! 



I am aware of the dangers that lie in wait for the 

 book-writer. "Oh, that mi.ie adversary had written a 

 book!" was the burden of Job's prayer, 3,500 years ago, 

 and it is doubtful whether the roll of passing centuries 

 has a-, yet flattened out the peril. IHattering myself, 

 however, that I am no man's adversary, 1 will lake the 

 risk and launch my little volume, hoping for it tan- 

 weather, favoring gales, and a broad harbor from which 

 to spread its wholesome freight wherever it may do the 



most good. THOS. M. 



