The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-11-07
.LEr WELL ENOUGH ALONE"
SKETCH FOR YOUNG MEN. %

SKETCH FOR YOUNG MEN.
One of tho greatest evils incident to tht
Young mechanics and BUSINESS workmen Of
our country, is that Of frequent change o.
place and employment. This characteristic
Is peculiar to Yankees, they seem cOnten!
only while on the move. This would be vel
enough If the movement were always on.
ward. But it is not SO. The young mar
who contracts the habit of often changing
his business is apt to gain nothing in the
end. Not only does ga rolling stone gather
no MOSS" but in time it must lose much Of
its own substance. And SO it is with the
rolling portion Of our youth-they not only
gather no golden moss, but lose some Of
their previous gatherings. Let young
man gain good place for employment, any
by-and-by leave it for one more fatt:rin4
and at length finds himself DISAPPOINTED,
and he will be anxious for another change.
By the time he has made three or tour
changes he will be sure to remain uneasy all
the time. :,
Let US not be understood as Objectlng to
all change in this respect. There must be
many circumstances under which business
changes are necessary. A young man must
always look out for that situation which is
the most sure, and Mt the same time most
profitable. But the danger is, in allowing
fancy to be dazzled by every attempting offer
that comes up, without due exercise Of the
Judgment. A simple narrative of real life
will explain our meaning.
Samuel Peterson and Henry Willis were
both the same age ,and had learned their trade
of the same man. They were few months
past their twenty first year and were mach
inists by trade, MIR. Lot Merrill, their en-
ployer, was a staunch business man, UNDER
standing every branch of the trade, and
enjoying the confidence Of the community.
He was wealthy and influential, and his
word was to all who knew him, legal bond.
When Samuel and Henry were twenty one,
MIR. Merrill had made them very advanta-
geous offer. He would pay them dollar
day for the next year; give them all fur
ther necessary instruction; and, ut the ex-
piration of that time, if they proved efficient
he would do still better by them.
ssYou have been my apprentices, boys"
he said s:and while you remain steady and
Industrious will give you employment in
preference to all others who are no better
than you are. Railways give preference
to those who have learned the trade with
me. And more than this, l may have some
opportunities to let you do job work, where
you may make as much as you can.'
So the young men went at work, and for
a while they were both content. Five
months thus passed away, and every Satur-
day night they received their six dollars
each.
Some three miles below Mr.. MerrilFs shop
on the same stream, there stood building
which had been originally put up for cloth
factory, but none Of the machinery, except
the water-wheel, and few shafts, had ever
been put in. A new company had bought
the establishment, and were busy putting in
the machinery. They were going to make
machine shop of it. One bright morning
the good people saw flaming placards posted
up at the corners, and in the principle stores,
announcing that Crafts, Cumfrey & Co.,
had opened new machine shop, where Gall
kinds of work pertaining to their profession
could be done cheaper, better, and with
more dispatch, than any other place in the
country"
\ few days after this, man called at
Samuel Pcterson's boarding place, and an
nouncing himself as MIR. Crafts, of the firm
of Crafts Cumfrey 4 Co., and asked the
young man to come and work for him, Offer
ing to pay one dollar and quarter per day.
Samuel told him he would give him an an
swer the next day. - .a"~. j. s~~@
This was at noon; so in the afternoon,
when he returned to the shop, he went into
the counting room and told Mr.. Merrill Of
the offer.
"Well," said the old machinist, 81 have
no claim to your services after you have
given me weeks notice, and wish you to
do as you think best. | cannot afford to
pay you more than now do; only can
assure you that you shall have some jobs to
do this summer. You know the advanta-
ges here. You are sure of your pay; of
permanent place while live; of as much
in the business as you have a
mind to grasp; and of increased pay when
you shall have become more proficient. OF
this new company know nothing, except
that to you they are like bird in the
bush.' Yet l venture one word OF advice,
for know how apt young men, just CON-
mencing in life, are to be led away by daz-
zling offers. Before you make any change
in your business be sure you are going to
better yourself. If you are satisfied on this
point, then go ahead" .EsI
Samuel Peterson bowed his head, and
poked the floor with his feet a few moments,
and when he looked up his face had thrown
off every shade of doubt.
81 shall remain with you," he said, "for
| know what will be my fortune here, and
it is US much as have any cause to hope
for.''
Mr.. Merrill was much pleased with the
youths decision, and he plainly said so.-
Shortly after this Henry Willis came in;
and he also went to the counting room. lie
there half an hour, and then came
out and joined his companion. ss
SAM said he with an air of importance,
'I'vc had a new offer.'
SO have H. returned Samuel.
Crafts, Cumfrey 4 Co., want me.''
so they want me.' .s
'Ah! But they offer me dollar and tween.
ty-fve cents day.
$50 they did me-
'And have you spoken to the old man
about it?'
'Yes.' oA
'And did he come to terms p VA
w nat 90 you mean
Why-Did he offer to pay you the extra
Juarter?'
NO.
sThen We'll both work together. The old
nan won't bulge an inch. l offered to stay,
t he'd pay as much as Crafts offered, but he
wouldn't do it; so l just told him should
cave. What did you tell him?'
why, l tell ye Henry, have concluded
o stay where | am
'What? Not stay here and work for dol
ar a day when you can get dollar and
uarter there?' 4.
But that amt the thing, Henry. If that
lace was equal in every respect with this
II even if it was an old and stable establish
nent, and could be assured Of permanent
york there, the case might be different. But
What inducements is there now? We know
nothing of these men-whether they are re-
'ponsible or not, or whether they are even
honest. They offer US dollar and quar-
'er day now, and we may stay with them
'lx years and get no more. But we know
'hat when we are worth it, we shall receive
more than that from Mr.. Merrill. have
ihought just enough of this to feel assured
mat shall be the best off here.'
Butt amt a going to work here for twen-
y-hve cents less than can have elsewhere,
Sam.not b long shot. What's the use?'
Weil, He6ry won't advise you, tor you