Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-11-27
Stick To Your Bush /"

people OF the town respected him, chose
him to Offices, sent him to the Legislature,
| and never undertook any important work
without asking his advice. If a schoolhouse
was to be built, the plan had to be talked
over with him. When the new town-hall
was planned, the whole matter was put in
to his hands. Widow Partridge asked N
what she should plant in her field. Farm
er Parker always got his advice in buying
cattle, and Mrs. Reid consulted him about
bringing up her boys Remarkably success
full man was Mr.. Morgan.
John Wood was clever boy of fifteen.
He had got through what little schooling
his father could afford to give him, snd was
going to the city to try for himself. He
hoped to get place in store, and by and
by become successful merchant. In talk
ing over his great hopes one day with his
mother, he said
4 wonder how it was that Mr.. Morgan
got as rich and important as he is. Don't
| wish he would tell me how he did it.
well, John, said Mrs. Wood, there
is nothing like asking him. MIR. Morgan
will give lad like you good word, | know,
if you will only go to him.
John braced himself up and started for
Mr. Morgan counting room. He found
the merchant there and alone Good NOR
ming, Master john" said he in pleasant
voice. Can l do anything for you i?
John stammered little at first, but he
was brave fellow, and bound to succeed.
well, Mr.. Morgan, [ am going to the
city to try for myself. | want to be q nier-
chant, and get rich, and help father and
mother one OF these days; and they Will
give me my time. Mother said | might
come in and ask you if you would tell me
how you became so successful.
Mr. Nnruon ,,ls4aSad wit n .Inhn & hon.
est way and frank question. After telling
him that he was glad he had 50 much ener-
gy, and that if he kept out of bad company
and attended closely to his work, whatever
it was, he could not fall Mr.. Morgan said
AS for my success, John, will tell you
| how it was. One day when l was lad
party of boys and girls were going to dis
tant pasture to pick whortleberries wan
| ted to go with them. was very fearful my
father would not let me go, and scarcely
dare to ask him, until the time came and a
| dozen boys and girls gathered at our door.
| Then 1 told my father what was going on,
and at once he gave me his permission to
| 90 with them. | could hardly contain my
self with Joy, and rushed into the kitchen
| and got big basket and asked mother tor
| luncheon had tho basket on my arm
and was just going out of the gate when my
father called me back. My head dropped
and my heart failed, for was afraid he
would tell me [ could not go. went back
| trembling. My father took hold of my hand
gently and firmly, and said In very gentle
voice, Joseph, what are you gelng tor, to
pick berries or to play? To pick berries,
| replied. Then, Joseph, | want to tell
you one thing 1t is this. When you find
pretty good bush do not leave 1t to find
better one. The other boys and girls will
run about picking little here and little
there, wasting great deal ct time and not
getting many berries. If you do as they do
you will come home with All empty basket
If you want berries stick to your bush. If
you want to succeed in life, stick to your
bush. Now CO.
Il went with the party and we had
grand good time. But it was just as my
father said. No sooner had one found
fair bush than he called all the rest, and
they left their several places and ran Oft to
the rev found treasure heap. Not content
more than minute or two IN one place,
they rambled over the whole pasture, got
very tired, and at night had but very few
berries. My father words kept strangely
ringing in my ears, and | stuck to my bush.
When had cleaned off one, | found anoth-
er and finished that; then [ took another:
When night came | had large bas ket full
of nice berries, more than all the others put
together and was not half so tired az they
were. | went home proud and happy.
but at home | found my father i'll. He
looked at nv basket full of big. black ber-
ries, and said We'll done, Joseph. Was it
not as told you? Always stick to your bush;
These were his last words to me. He
died few days after and | had to make my
way in the world the best | could. But my
fathers words sunk deep into my mind and
never forgot the experience OF the Whor-
tleberry party. | stuck to my bush. W hen
| had a fair place and was doing tolerably
well, [ did NOT leave it and spend weeks and
months in finding one little bit better.
When other young men said, Come with US
and We will make fortune IN fortnight,
| shook my head and stuck to my bush
Presently my employers offered to take me
into business with them, L stayed with the
old house until the members died, ana then
| had everything | wanted. The habit OF
sticking to INV business led people to trust
me, improved my Judgment and gave me
character. Lowe all have and am to this
motto: Stick to your bush.
John heard Mr. Morgan story with the
deepest interest. He thought he under
stood the whole secret of success and resolv
ed that he would stick to his bush as soon
as he could find bush to stick to. He
thanked Mr.. Morgan for his kindness, and
told him he would certainly adopt the mot
to for his own As he was going out OF the
door Mr.. Morgan called him back, and told
him that he had dealings with firm IN the
city, who might possibly want a good lad.
He would write and ascertain:
The next week John Wood had found
bush in the city, and when last saw him IN,
he was sticking to it well, determined to MI
his basket and worthy place In the world.
He is satisfied that the way to success Is oy