The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-08
ESSAY ON LOAFERs.
py "NEMo NARo."

The title Of this may appear strange 20
many persons, but we are treating Of aqueer
class of persons familiarity designated as
loafer, can be found. in the summer months,
basking his 'wearied" limbs on the so'l side
of white pine board; and in The winter
months louDging around the counters OF
stores, or nesting close 10 the stove, think
iug of the necessity but impossibility OF his
attendance in every place, at all times, while
he thinks il is absolutely necessary that he
should attend TO everybody's business ex.
cept his own. These idlers ihhabit stores,
and by their apparent drowsy slate would
be taken specifically as not 10 having the
least idea of wha, is passing around them,
but they are wide awake; they notice every
gesture, every sale, every customer, and cal
culate the profits and advantages derived
from the articles which are barlered away.
Loalers are divided into :wo classes.
LIST Class--The person belonging 10 this
class you may think great deal Of; they
may he particular friends; these are rather
delicate 10 approach; still he is a "loafer,"
and should be classified as one. But, say
you, i, would be very important for me TO
consult chosen friend of mine, on The pro.
prieiy of removing his person from my prop
erty; that would be preposlerous. But he is
loafer and should be treated as such. His
continued presence in your store prevents
lnIu pnc frnr in
chase. If he does observe such hints as
these and comprehends them, it does not
reform him; for in few days he is found
occupying the same old place, reclining in
an armchair, envslopsd in a cloud Of smoke,
gently rising from an immense Havana
which he carefully removes from his mouth
TO give clear passage for volume of to-
bacco spit. While enjoying all these COM
insult if you should ask him 10 retire. This
may meet The eye of some one who will no
doubt see that ii applies 10 his case exact.
ly.
The second class consists Of professional
oafers, who can bear all the reproach that
could possibly be heaped upon them, with.
ou, taking The least insult from your remarks
! The members of this class can always be
found inhabilns printing offices and grocery
stores, sitting on The counters, or stretched
a, full length on boxes and barrels, prylng
in,o everything that does not concern
'nem, and carefully avoiding those which
do; debating 10 the attendants as if they
were the supreme ruler of the establishment
OF such loafers a good kicking out of doors
would be the shortest and most eficacious
method of getting rid of them; they deserve
such treatment.
| Loaferism ranks the lowest of all acts nat.
ural TO man. There are many gcn,eel loaf
ers who pop in once and while 10 have
social chat with the proprietors. His occa-
sional stiings do seem at first 10 relard the
business from going about his work; but
gradually his visits become fixed fact, and
his presence begins TO be iutoerable. To
such then we would give little advice, viz:
Stay at home to keep the children quiet; and
if you have none, stay 10 keep the stove
warm. Spend your evenings al home, for
you hinder the merchant from regularly at
tending 10 his business. In fact, attend 10
your own business, and il will attend 10 you.
| You must take il into consideration that you
are losing all the time you are loafng; this
time is more valuable than gold. Why not
be reading useful books when you have
leisure evenings. Yon are getting your
character for loafing firmly sci in the minds
of those persons whose places of business
you frequently inhabit. Take warning in
time, before you are entered on their books
as practical habitual ijler. "For idlers
destroy character"