Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-02-07
Lessons from an Old Merchant.

That veteran and honorable merchant,
Jonathan Sturges of New York, at the
dinner given in his honor on the occasion
of his retirement from active business,
gave the following golden counsel to
young men:
Now, gentlemen, since there is moth
ing that | can talk about that you do
not understand great deal better than
l do, l propose to say few words for the
benefit of the young men outside, and if
you approve of what is said, let it be
considered as said by this Grand Jury of
Merchants now assembled.
One of the first lessons received was
in 1913, when was eleven years Of age
My grandfather had collected fine flock
of merino sheep, which were carefully
cherished during the war 1925. was
a shepherd boy, and my business was to
watch the sheep in the fields. A boy,
who was more fond of his books than Of
sheep, was sent with me, but left the work
to me, while he lay in the shade and read
his books. l finally complained of this
to the old gentleman. / shall never for
get his benignant smile as he replied
Never you mind if you watch the
sheep, you will have the sheep | thought |
to myself, what does the old gentleman
mean? don't expect to have any sheep.
My aspirations were quite moderate in
those days, and ffrst-rate merino buck
was worth $1,000. / could not make out
exactly what he meant, but had great
confidence in him, as he was Judge, and
had been to Congress in Washington's
time; so concluded that it was all right,
1 whatever he meant, ana went out COLI
tentedly with the sheep. After | got to
the field / could not get that idea out of
my head Finally thought of my Sun
day lesson: Thou hast been faithful
over few things, will make thee ruler
over many things. Then understood
it. Never you mind who else neglects
} his duty be you faithful, and you will
have your reward do not think it will
take many lads as long as it did me to
understand this proverb.
received my second lesson soon after
: came to this city, as clerk to the late
: Luman Reed. A merchant from Ohio,
: who knew me, came to purchase goods of
< MIR. Reed. Heexpressed his qualification
r at finding me there, and said to me :
S You have got good place. Make
s yourself so useful that they cannot do
: without YOU Itook his meaning quick
r er than did the proverb about the
+ sheep. Well, l worked upon these two
t ideas until Mr.. Reed offered me an inter
/ est in his business.
: The first morning after the copartner
d ship was announced, Mr.. James Geery
s. the old tea merchant, called to see me
n and said to me: You are all right, now
If have one word of advice to give yot
,e be careful who you walk the streets with.
r. That was lesson number three.
lie In this connection / must repeat al
v anecdote told of the late Robert Lennox
r, A country merchant came into the stor
is of Mr.. Morton, a highly respectabl
n, Scotch merchant, to purchase goods. II
r. spoke about credit, references, &c, MI
en- Morton said will give you what cret
ed it you wish But said the merchan
at / am an entire stranger to YOU Nj
IN. Morton replied: Did | not see you 4
ot church with Robert Lennoxf Yes,
CT was at church with him. Well, | wi
ry trust any man whom Robert Lennox wi
take to church with him.
hope these three lessons of watchfr
of ness over the interests Of their emplo
the ers, watchfulness over their partners
al terests and their own, after they are joi
pes ed, followed by intense watchfulness tn
cal no black sheep creep into their folc
i've may be impressed anecdotes upon t
= minds of those forwhom they are inten
The ed;
ave, One other lesson feel it very meet
"" sary to inculcate-that of patience.
hit. With little patience most young m
and will find position as high as they ha
ear. fitted themselves to fill.
lie In all the changes which have tax
e g place in my firm since 1922, no partI
ing has been brought in who has not sery
as as clerk in the establishment. Anc
for now leave my house we'll organized, pr
,me porous, and free from complications, ST
eat in the hands Of those who have serv
his in it as clerks for longer or shorter
one Rod. / mention this as an encoura
lous ment to young men to persevere in
FIVE faithful performance Of their duties.