The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-01-02
tone, how much can you earn now!

the substitution Of steam engines on raj
roads for horses on turnpikes, h,s broker
| in seriously upon the harness-making busi
| ness. The consequence is, that ! DO no
average six dollars week the yoal
| round.
IL i. possible that railroads have wrough
such change in your business?
Yes, the harness making branch OF II
especially in large cities like this where th'
heavy wngon trade is almost entirely bro
ken up.
Did YOU say that six dollars week were
all that you could average?
YES sir.
How large is your family?
have five children, sir.
Five children and six dollars week!
That is all, sir. But ak dollars will MOI
support them, and am in consequence, GO
ing behind-hand.
You ought totry TO get into some o,he'
business.
But don't know any other.
The merchant unused for a while, and
then said, perhaps can get you into some
thing better. | am president Of newly
projected railroad, and we are about put.
Ting on the line company ofcngieeers, for
the purpose Of surve, ing and engineering,
and as YOU studied those sciences ut school
The same time did, and suppose have still
correct knowledge Of both, will use my
influence to have you appointed surveyor.
The engineer is already chosen, and al my
desire, will give YOU alI,he requisite ins'rnc-
tions until you revive yeur early know
ledge Of these matters. The salary is one
hundred dolars per month.
A shadow still darker than that which
before rested there, fell upon the face ofthe
mechanic.
Alas! sir, be said, have not the slight
est knowledge Of surveying. Il IS true,
studied il, or rather pretended To study u a.
school, but it made no permanent impress
sion on my mind. saw no use in il then
and am now as ignorant Of surye, ing as u
h,d never taken lesson on the subject.
lam very sorry, Mr.. Allen. the merchant
replied, in real concern. If you we're a
coed accountant. Knight perhaps get YOU
into store. What is your capacity in this
respect?
ought to have been good accountant
sir, Tor studied mathematics long cDm,gh
bu, took little interest in figures, and now
although was many months at school, pre-
tending 10 study book keeping, ! am utter
" incapable Of taking charge OF set o
books.
Such being the case, Mr.. Allen, really
do mt know wha, can do with you. But
stay! am about sending ont IN assorted
cargo, 10 Buenos Ayres, and thence round
TO CalIao, and want man 10 90 10 super
intend whocnn speak the Spanish langnage
remember we .tndied Spanish together
Would YOU he willing to leave Your fam'I,
and go? The wages will be one hundred
dollars a month.
have forgotten all nv Spanish, sir,
did not see any use of il while nt school,
and, therefore, il made no impression on my
mind.
The merchant, really concerned for the
poor mechanic, again thought Of some way
TO serve him. At length he said, car
think Of but one thing that YOU can do, MI
Allen, and tha, will not be much better
than yonr present employment. Il is
service fnr which ordinary persons are en-
ployed. that ofchain carrying TO the survey
or on the proposed railroad expedition.
What are the wages, sir?
Thirty FIVE dollars month.
And found?
Certainly.
will certainly accept it Thankfully The
man snid. II will be better than my pre-
sent employment.
Then make yourself ready Of once, lo'
The COMPANY will start in the course OF
week.
/ will be ready, the poor man replied and
then Withdrew.
In week the company OF engineers
started, and MIR. Allen with than as chain
carrier; when, had he rs boy, taken tne
advice of his parents and friends, and stnr.
I'd nm in his memory what they wished him
10 learn, he might have filed the surveyor
office al more than double the wages paid
him az chain carrier. Indeed We cannot
tell how high a poai,ion Of usefulness ne
might have held, hsd no improved all Inc
opportunities afforded him in youth: bu'
he perceived the use Of learning too late.
Children nd youth cannot possibly Know
a. well as their parents, guardians ana
teachers, what is best for them,
Men who are in active contact WIN 'ne
world, know that the more extensive the'f
knowledge on all subjects, the more use
ful they ca be to others; and the h'ghe'
md more important use to society tney are
fitted to perform. the greater is the return
10 themselves in wealth and honor.
A late philosopher says that love is like
the mcasss-alI the worse for coming late