[Fayetteville, Ark.] The Arkansian, December 22, 1860
Young Man, you look healthy, hearty, why don’t you go to work? You are able to drink whisky and smoke cigars, why don’t you earn the money to pay for them, instead of being a constant drain on your daddy’s pocket? How long do you expect your daddy to live? His money has paid for your education and your law books, or medical books, now out for yourself and don’t lounge on daddy. Resolve to be somebody. If you can’t find work to do with your head, go to work with your hands. “Work!” is the watch work of the age—the safeguard of industry. It won’t hurt you, People will only think more of you, and the young ladies will like you better—at least, the sensible portion of them—for they know if you ever marry, you’ll be able at least to give your wife a good living. Then cut loose from the nursery strings and hang no longer to daddy, waiting for something to happen, but go to work, and make something happen. Don’t wait forever for the iron to get hot before you strike, but go to work and make it hot by striking! Strike long, loud, late and early; and whether you become rich or not, (riches are not for all) you will enjoy a quiet conscience and a good living, and have the right to hold up your head among men and women, not as a drone, but as a pillar of society.