, 1863-06-13

Geo. Carlisle,s Advice to his Son.

W %~N~
The following letters to his son, written
by George Carlisle, Esq, recently deceased,
but for many years one Of the most emf
inent merchants of Cincinnati, Ohio, will
be found of interest and value to every
young man starting in business. They re-
suit from line ofmuch experience in prac-
tical graphing with the world. We ex-
tract them from a late number of the Com
mercial.
CINCINNATI Sept. u, 1860.
My SoN:-This day, in accordance with
custom, you are free man, having reached
the age twenty-one years. You are now at
liberty to seek your own living, in your
own way, provided it is moral and honest
way. You have now the opportunity OF
making your mark in this world, the door
is open, and few have brighter prospect
for the future. Your education is fair, not
what it should be, or what it might have
been, if you had carried out the wishes of
your parents.
How different your prospects are from
what mine were when l became of age, and
in my boyhood. ] am a descendant from
poor, but honest parentage, and have had
to make my own way thus far in this world
from my own industry, perseverance and
economy. The world knows what has
been the results of a long life spent in close
attention to business.
Ny first start in the way Of accumula-
ton was in this way: In digging one day
in my fathers yard fortunately dug up
ninepenny piece of silver,-so called in
those days,-of the value Of II l2 cents.
You can imagine that on finding it fet
rich. / have never felt more so since.
Wealth was my aim from the first; and
this was nest-egg small as it was. Small
beginnings make large endings, is an old
adage l commenced accumulating in va
rious ways,-riding horses to plow, rak-
ing and spreading hay, turning my hand
to almost anything by which an honest
penny could be earned. When l accumu-
lated to the amount of one dollar l in
vested it in the purchase of sheep.
placed il in the hands of a farmer, in those
days what they called placed out to
double. In the space of four years l was
entitled to two sheep, and so l went on,
until with them and other earnings l was
enabled to purchase COW, which / also
placed out to double in four years. = =
1t is useless to pursue the history of my
life further. The result shows for itself.
Others who pursue the same course, with
good health, can easily accomplish the same
results. Your condition is far superior TO
what mine was. The facilities for doing
business in this fast age, if you choose to
follow in my footsteps, or take my advice,
will enable you to accomplish all | have
accomplished in upwards of forty years, in
one third of the time. My great desire is
10 see you at the head of the mercantile
community, which can be easily accom-
plished."
When the son to whom the above was ad-
dressed was fifteen years of age Mr.. Carlisle
promised him that when he became twen-
ty-one years of age he would present him
with one thousand dollars, provided he
would neither smoke, chew tobacco, mol
drink intoxicating liquors. The son made
the promise and kept it, and the father was
equally prompt to fulfill his part cf the
contract On the day the son reached his
majority a check for the amount was hand
ed him, with the following
My Son I'm conformity with an agree
ment entered into with you, on the 18th
day of January, 1854, which was 10 con-
tinue until the day you become of age, that
day having arrived this 18th day of Sep
tember, 1860, now cheerfully perform
my part of the understanding by present
ing you with a check on the Lafayette
Banking Company for one thousand dol
lars. So far as my knowledge extends, l
l believe you have faithfully earned this
testimonial, for your correct habits and de-
pertinent If any violation of the agree
ment has taken place unbeknown to my
self, your own conscience can decide, and
your high honor will not permit you to ae-
cept that which you have not well earned.
| take it for granted all is right; and
now allow me to give you a little advice.
Old fogy as l am, trust Young America
will have some respect for age and expert
ence.
This day, according to the common