Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-15
Hints TO young Men About Commencing
Busfuces.
BY JOHN eRrae, ESQ.

xsusincss.
BY JOHN eRIGG, ESQ.,
|. Be industrious and economical. Waste !
neither time nor money in small and useless
pleasures and indulgences. If the young
can be induced to begin to Sage, the moment
they enter on tho paths of life, tho way
will ever become easier before them, and
that without denying themselves of any Of
the real necessaries and comforts of life
Our people are certainly among the most
Iimprovident and extravagant on the face Of
the earth. 1t is enough to make the mer-
chant Of the old school, who looks back and |
thinks what economy, prudence and disere-
ton he had to bring to bear on his own
business, (and which are in fact the basis of
all successful enterprise start back in aston
ishment to look at the ruthless waste and
extravaganza of the age and people. The
highest test of respectability, with me,
is honest industry. Well-directed industry
makes men happy. The really noble class
the class that was noble when "Adam
dek'd and Eve spun," and have preserved
ttnS4Ar patent to this day untarnished-is tho
laborious and the industrious Until men
have learned industry, economy and self
control, they cannot be safely trusted with
wealth
II. To industry and economy add seR-re-
lance. Do not take too much dd0ice.-
| The business man must keep at the helm
and steer his own ship. In early life every
one should be taught to think for himself
A mans talents are never brought out un-
til he is thrown to some extent upon his
own resources. If in every difficulty he
has only TO run to his principal and then
implicitly obey the directions he may re-
ceive, he will never acquire that aptitude of
perception, and that promptncss of decision,
and that firmness of purpose, which are alb
solutely necessary to those who hold impor-
tant stations A certain degree Of inde-
pendent feeling is essential to the full devel-'
opment of the intellectual character.
III. Remember that punctuslity is the
mother of confidence. 1t is not enough
that the merchant fulflls his engagements; ;
he must do what he undertakes precisely at
the time, as well as in the way he agreed to.
The mutual dependence of merchants is so
great, that their engagements like chain,
which according to the law Of physics, is
never stronger than its weakest link, are of
tener broke through the weakness Of others
than their own. But prompt fulflImcnt
of engagements is not only of the utmost
Importance, because it enables others TO
meet their own promptly. 1t is also the
best evidence thst the merchant has his af-
fairs well or1cred-his means ut command,
his forces msrshslcd, and "everything
ready for action"--in short that he knows
his own strength. This it is which inspires
confidence, rs much perhaps as the meeting
of the engagement.
". Attend TO the miautiG of the busi-
ness, small things as well as great Sec
that the store IS soponcd early, goods brushed
|up, twine and nails picked up and ready for
action. A young man should consider cap
ital, if he have it, or as he may acquire it.
merely as tools with which he is to work,
not as substitute for the necessity Of labor
1t is often the case that diligence in employ,
ments of less consequence is the most sue
ccssful introduction to great enterprises =
Those make the best officers who have scrv
ed in the ranks We may say of labor a,
Colcridge said of poetry, it its own sweet
est reward 1t is the best of physic.
V. Let the young merchant remombe
that sclfishness is the mcanest of vices, and i
is the parent of thousand moro. 1t not on
ly interferes both with the means aud witt
the end of scquisition only makes
money more difficult to get, and not wortt
having when it is got, but it is nsrrowing tt
the mind and to the heart. Sef'hnes>
"keeps shilling so close to the eye that i
cannot SEQ dollar beyond" Never be mar
row and contracted in your views. Lift
abounds in instances of the brilliant results
of generous policy.
Be frank. Say what you mean do wha
you say. So shall your friends know anC
take it for granted that you mean to d
what is just and right.
VI Accustom yourself to think vigor
ously. Mental capital, like pocuniary, to b,
worth anything must bo well invested
must be rightly adjusted and applied, anC
to this end careful, deep, and intense though
is necessary, if great results are looked for.
VII. Marry early. The man of busines
should marry as early as possible, after twen
two or three years of age. A woman o
mind will conform to the necessities of tn,
day, of small beginnings; and in choosing
wife man should look at, 1st, the heart; I'd
the mind; Sd, the person.
VIII. Everything, however remote, tina
has the slightest bearing upon success mus
> be taken advantage of. The business mar
should be continually on the watch for infor
q nation and ideas that will throw light upol
d his path, and he should be an attentiy,
reader of all practical books especially
those relating to business, trade &c, as wei
u as patron Of useful and ennobling litera
II ture.
4: TX. Never forget favor, for ingratitud'
is the basest trait of mans heart. Alway
u honor your country, and remember that on
e country is the very best poor mans countr,
II in the world.