PART I. SUCCESS IN BUSINESS LIFE. "Years ago, a penniless boy on a journey paid for a meal by doing a job of work. Afterward he came to be the possessor of millions which he bestowed with a lavish hand upon works of charity and philanthropy. Thus fortune honored him, and he honored fortune. And when he died, the ships of two nations carried the remains of GEORGE PEABODY to his native shores." "It is lesson after lesson with the scholar, blow after blow with the laborer, crop after crop with the farmer, picture after picture with the painter, and mile after mile with the traveler, that secures what all so much desire-sUCCESS." "No abilities, however splendid, can command success without intense labor and persevering application." -A. T. Stewart. “I have always had these two things before me: Do what you undertake thoroughly. Be faithful in all accepted trusts.” -NICHOLAS LONGWORTH. ΤΟ The Young Men and the Young Women WHO DESIRE TO TRAVEL THE ROAD TO FORTUNE, HAPPINESS, AND ETERNAL LIFE, IS THIS BOOK AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. The Imperial Highway. PART I. THE PURPOSE STATED. N the days of Roman greatness, before railroads were known or even thought of, there were constructed imperial or military highways or roads leading from Rome to the most distant provinces of the Empire. Parts of these highways after the lapse of more than 2,000 years, are still seen in a comfortable state of preservation-so solidly were they built. These roads became very useful; in fact, without them, the vast empire could hardly have been held together. Over them the victorious soldiers passed rapidly from one point to another to quell revolts or make new conquests. They were, as far as possible, built straight and level, smooth and wide. On them many persons could march abreast. Hills were cut down and valleys filled up, ravines were bridged, and swamps embanked. Enormous were the sums of money expended upon them, and prodigious the |