The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-03-11
Lessons from an Old Merchant.

~-sSSAS - ~AA ssAA SA~ vtSAee4ks
That veteran and honorable merchant, Jon
athan Sturges, Of New York, at the Dime
given in his honor, on the occasion of his re
tirement from active business. gave the fol
lowing 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, pTro,pi,oos,
to say few words for the benefit Of tn,
young men outside, and if you approve O
what is said, let it be considered as said b,
this grand jury of merchants now assembled
One of the first lessons received was in
| 1918, when was eleven years of age" Ny
grandfather had collected fine flock Of mo
rino sheep, which were carefully cherished
during the war Of 1925. / was shep
herd 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.
finally complained Of this to the old gen.
tleman. I shall never forget his benignapt
smile as he replied: "Never you mild, il
you watch the sheep you will have the sheep
I thought to myself, what does the old gen
tleman mean? / don't expect to have any
sheep. My aspirations were quite moderate
in those days, and frst-rate merino buck
was worth $1,000. / could not make out
exactly what he meant, but I had great conf
dence in him, as be was judge and had been
to Congress in Washington's time; SO con-
Guided that it was all right, whatever he
meant, and went out contentedly with the
sheep. After I got to the field l gould not
get that idea ont Of my head. Finally thought
Of my Sunday lesson "Thou hast been faith
full over few things, will make thee ruler
over many things" Then I understood it.
Never you mind who else neglected his duty,
be you faithful and you will have your re-
ward do not think it will take many lads
as long as it did me to understand this pro-
verb.
/ received my second lesson soon after I
cams to this city, as clerk to the late Lu-
man Reed. A merchant from Ohio, who
knew me, came to purchase goods of Mr..
Reed. He expressed his qualification at
finding me there, and said to me, ''You have
got a good place. Make yourself SO useful
that they cannot. do without you" I took
his meaning quicker than did the proverb
about the sheep. Well. I 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 Gcery, 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 nun
Der three.
In this connection I must repeat an anes-
dote told of the late Robert Lennox. A
country merchant came into the store of Mr..
Morton, highly respectable Scotch merchant,
to purchase goods. He spoke about credit,
references, &c. Mr.. Morton said {: Il will
give yop what credit you wish" "But, said
the merchant II am an entire stranger to
you" Mr.. Morton replied, "Did I not see
you at church with Robert Lennox ?" "Yes.
1 was at church with him" "Well, I will
trust any man whom Robert Lennox will
take to church with him"
I hope these three lessons of watchfulness
over the interests of their employers, watch
fitness over their partners interests and
their own, after they are joined, followed by
intense Yatchfnlness 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 patience most young men will
find position as high as they have fitted
themselves to fill.
In al the changes which have taken place
in my frm since 1922, no partner has been
brought in who has not served as clerk in
the establishment And I now leave my
house well organized, prosperous, and free
from complications, still in the hands Of those
who have served in it as clerks for longer
or shorter period. mention this as an en-
copragement to young men to persevere in
the faithful performance of their dutiee.