The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-05-07
lessons from an Ola Merchant.

LessOfaS hfOm an Oid Merchant.
Tho veteran an honorable NOR
chant, Jonathan Sturgos, Of New York,
at tho dinner given in his honor on
the occasion Of his retirement from
business, gave tho following golden
counsel to young mon.
Now, gentlemen, since thoro isnoth.
ing that | can talk about that you DO
not understand a great deal better
than ! do, / propose to say few
words for the benefit OF tho young
outside, and if you approve Of what is
said, let it bo considered as said by
this Grand Jury Of Merchants now as
sembled.
One Of the first lessons received
was in 1913, when was eleven years
of age. My grandfather had collected
fine flock Of merino shoop. which
were carefully cherished during tho
war Of 1Sl2-15. L was shepherd
boy, and my business was TO watch
the sheep in the fields. A boy, who
was moro fond of his books than of
his sheep, was sont with me, but lett
the work for me, whilo he lay in tho
shade and read his books. L finally
complained OF this to tho old gentle
man. / shall mover forget his bcnig-.
mart smile as he replied Never you
mind ifyou watch the sheep, you will
lave the sheep" l thought to my
self, what does this old gentleman
mean2 l don't expect to have any
sheep. My aspirations wcro moder-
ate in those days and first rate me-
rino buck was worth $1,000. l could
not make out exactly what he meant,
but had great confidence in MN. as
he was Judge, and had boon 10 Con.
gross in Wushiugtons time. SO l
concluded it was all right, whatcvor
no meant, and went out eontentedly
with the sheep. After 1 got to tho
field l could not get that idea out of
my head. Finally thoug Of my Sun
day lesson Thou hast been faithful
over few things, l will make you ruler
over many things" Then l under
stood it, never you mind who e,se
noglects. his duty be you faithful, and
you will havo your rewards l do no.
think 1t will take many lads us long as
it did mo TO understand this pro.
verb.
received my second lesson soon af-
ter l came to this city, as clerk 80
tho late Luman Reed. A merchant
from Ohio, who knew me, came 10
purchase goods of Mr.. Reed. Ho ex-
pressed hls qualification at finding mo
Lhero, and said to me "You have got
a good place. Make yourself so useful
that they cannot do without you" I
took this meaning quicker than [ did
the, proverb about the sheep. Well, L
worked upon these twoIdcas until Mr..
Roed offered Eo an interest in his
business.
The first morning after tho co.part-
nership was announced, Mr.. James
Geery, the old tea merchant, called to
see me, and SAID to me- you are all
right now; l have one word of advice
to give you; bo-eareful who you walk
the streets with" That was lesson
number three.
In this connection must repeat an
anocdot0 told OF the late Robert Len.
noX. A country merchant came into
the store OF Mr. MontOn, highly res
pectablc Scotch mel chant, to purchase
goods. He spoke about credit; refer-
onccs, &c. Mr. Morton said: 81 will
give you what credit you wish, But"
said tho merchant, II am an entire
: stranger to you" Mr.. Morton replied;
Did l not SEQ you at church with
Robert LennoXY' eyes, [ was at
L, church with him." "Wcl, | will trust
any man whom Robert Lennox will
= take 10 church with him.
l. hope those three lessons of watch
l. fulness over the interests of their en-
ployers, watchfulness over their part.
s ners' Innterests and their own, after
they are joined followed by intense
0 watchfulness that no black sheep
creep into their folds, may be impross-
Ell by these anecdotes upon the minds
Of those for whom they are lnten-
\ ded
One other lesson I feel it necessary
to inculcate-that of patience. With
0 little patience most young men will
4 find q position as high as they have
= fitted themselves to Gil.
In all the changes which have taken
place in my firm since 1922, no parI-
! nor has been brought in who has not
i served as a clerk in the establishment.
: And now leave my homo we'll or
/, ganlzed, prosperous and free from com
q plicarions, still in the honds of those
: who have served in it as clerks for o
= longer or shorter period mention
: this as an encouragement TO young
. men to persovero in the faithful, per-
\ formance of :heir duty.
= The Inclination of ~ Very Pillar
OF Aiberty.
Col Forney says that Salmon P.