The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-02-17
Lessons from I'm Old Merchant.

That veteran and venerable nonor-
able merchant, Jonathan Sturges, of
New York, at the dinner given 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 a great deal better than
do, propose to say 4 few words for
the benefit of the young men outside,
aud if you approve of what is said, let
il 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 a fine flock of
merino sheep, which were carefully
cherished during the war of 1925. l
was q shepherd boy, and MY business
was to watch the sheep in the fields. A
boy, who was mere 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 10 the old gentle
man. | shall never forget his benign
ant smile as he replied, "Nevsr you
mind. If you watch the sheep you will
have the sheep" thought to myself
what does the old gentleman mean l
don't expect to have any sheep. My
aspirations were quite moderate in those
days, and frst-rate meriuo buck was
worth $1,000. Icould not make out ex-
actly what he meant, but had great
confidence in him, as he was judge,
and had been tu Congress i'll Washing
toms time; so concluded that all was
right, whatever he meant, and went
out contentedly with the sheep. After
| had got to the field could not get
the idea out of my head. Finally |
thought of my Sunday lesson Thou
hast been faithful over 4 few things, /
will make the ruler over many things.
Then / understood it; never you mind
who elso neglects his duty; be you faith
ful and you will have your reward! l do
not think it will take many lads as
long AZ 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 pur-
chase goods of Mr.. Reed. He expressed
his qualification at finding me there,
and said to me, "You have got good
place. Make yourself so useful that
they cannot do without you" / took
his meaning quicker than did the pro-
verb about the sleep. Well. | worked
upon these two ideas until Mr. Reed Of
fered me au interest in his business.
The first morning after the co-partner-
ship was announced, Mr.. James Geery,
the old tea merchant, called to see me,
and said to me, "You are all right now;
| have one word of advice to give you
be careful who you walk the streets
with" That was lesson number
three. In this connection must relate
an anecdote told of the late Robert
Lennox. A country merchant came
into the store of Mr.. Morton, highly
respectable Scotch merchant, to pur-
chase goods. He spoke about credit,
reference, &c. Mr.. Morton said, II will
give you what credit you wish" But"
said the merchant, 81 am an entire
stranger TO you" Mr.. Morton replied,
''Did not see you to church with Rob-
ert Lennox :" 'Yes, | was at church
with him." well, / will trust any
man whom Robert Lennox takes to
church with him." / hope these three
lessons of watchfulness over the inter
ests of their employers, watchfulness
over their partners interest and their
own, after they are joined, followed By
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 pa
tience. With little patience most
young men will find q position as high
as they have fitted themselves to fill.
In all the changes which have taken
place in my firm since 1872, no partner
has been brought in who bad not served
a, clerk in the establishment. And
now leave my house well organized,
prosperous, and free from complications,
and in TIE hands of those who have
served in it as clerks for longer or
shorter period. | mention this as an n.
couragement to young men to perse-
we're in the faithful performance of their
duties