The Shasta courier., 1868-03-28
Lessons from an Old Merchant.

That veteran and honorable merchant,
Johnathan Sturges of New York, at the din
ner 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 nothing
that | can talk about that you do not under.
stand great deal better than | do, pro.
pose to say few words for the benefit of
young men outside, and if you approve of
what is said, let it be considered as said bv
the Grand Jury of Merchants assembled.
One of the first lesson | received was in
1913, when | was eleven years of age. NV
grandfather had collected a fine flock Of
merino sheep, which were carefully cherished
during the war of 1Sl2-l5. | was shepherd
boy, and my business was to take care of the
sheep in the fields. A boy, 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. | finally complained of
this to the old gentleman. shall shall never
forget the 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 aspi-
rations were quite moderate in those days,
and a frstrate merlno buck was worth 81 900.
l could not make out exactly what he meant,
and went out contentedly with the Sheep
After got to the field, | could not get the
idea out of my head. Finally / thought of
my Sunday lesson; "T Thou hast been faith
full over few things, / will make thee ruler
over many things" Then understood it
Never you mind who 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 proyerb.
l received my second lesson soon after l
came to this city, as clerk in the late Ly-
man Reed. A merchant from Ohio, who
knew me, came to purchase goods from Mr..
Reed. He expressed his qualification at find
ing me there, and said to me: 81 You have
got a good place. Make yourself so useful
that they cannot do without you." took
his meaning quicker than | did the proverb
about the sheep. Well, worked upon these
two ideas until Mr.. Reed offered me an in
terest in his business.
The first morning after the co partnership
was announced, Mr.. james Geery, the old
tea merchant, called to see me "You are
all right now have one word of advice to
give you be careful who you walk the
streets with" That lesson was three.
In this connection l must repeat an anec-
dote told of the late Robert Lennox A
country merchant came into the store of Mr..
Morton. highly respectable Scotch mer.
chant, % purchase goods. lie spoke about
credit. references, &c. Mr.. Morton said
will give you what credit you wish. But
said the merchant, | am an entire stranger
to you.' Mr.. Morton replied: Did l not
see you at church with Robert Lennox?'-
" Yes. | was at church with him. y
Well, l will trust any man whom Robert
Lennox will take to church with him.
hope these three lessons of watchfulness
over the interests of their employers, watch.
fulness over their partners interests and
their own, after they are joined, followed by
an intense watchfulness that no black sheep
creep into their folds, may be impressed by
these anecdotes upon the minds OF those for
whom they are intended.
One other lesson / feel it very necessary to
inculcate-that of patience.
With little patierce most young men will
find position as high as they have fitted
themselves to fill.
In all the changes which have taken place
in my firm since 1922, no partner has been
brought into it who has not served as a clerk
in the establishment. And | now leave my
house we'll organized, prosperous. and free
from complications, still in the hands of those
who have served in it as clerks for longer
or shorter period. l mention this as an en-.
couragement to young men to persevere in
the faithful performance Of their duties"