The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-05-02
Lessons from an Old Merchant.

The veteran and honorable merchant.
Jonathan Sturges, Of New York, at the din
| ner given in his honor, Oh the occasion of
his retirement from active business, gives
the following golden counsel to young men I:
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
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 Assem-
bled.
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 cherish,
ed during the war of 1929. ! 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
teman. / shall never forget his benignant
smile as he repied: "Never you mind, if
you watch the sheep you shall have the
sheep" ! thought to myself, what does
that old gentleman mean? | don't expect
to have any sheep. My aspirations were
quite moderate i'll those days, and first rate
merino buck was worth u $1,000. ! could
not make out exactly what he meant, but
had great confidence in him, as he was a
Judge and had been in Congress in Washing,
tons time so concluded that it was all
right, what ever he meant, and went out con-
tentedly with the sheep. After | got to the
field could not get that idea out of my
head. Family, thought of my Sunday les.
son "Thou hast been faithful over a few
things ] will make thee ruler over many
things Then understood it: Never you
mind who else neglected his duty, be you
faithful and you will have your reward
do not think it will take many lads us long
as it did me to understand this proverb.
! received my second lesson after came
to this city, as a clerk to the late Luman
Reed. A merchant from Ohio, who knew
me came to purchase goods Of Mr.. Reed. He
expressed his qualification mt hndingme there,
ard said to me, " GU have got IA good
place. Make yourself so useful that they
ing quicker than | did the proyerb about
the sheep. Well, worked upon these IDEAS
until Mr.. Reed offered me an interest in his
business.
The first morning after the co partnership
was announced, Mr.. James Gccry, the old
tea merchant called i'll to see me, and said
to me- " You are all right now; | have
one word Of advice to give you he careful
who you walk the streets with" That was
lesson number three.
In this connection ! must repeat IN anec
doLc told of the late Robert Lennon A
country merchant came into the store OF
Mr.. Morton, n higy respectable Scotch
merchant, to purchase goods. He spoke
about credit. references, &c. Mr.. Morton
said: 81 will give yoN what credit you
wish. But, said the merchant, | am
an actual stranger TO YOU Mr.. Morton re.
rlicd: Did ! not see you at church with
Robert LennoX?' Yes, | was at church
with him. We'll, | will trust any man
whom Robert LcnuoX will take to church
with him
hope these three lessons Of watrhln!ncss
oyerlh cir employers watchIuluess over their
partners interests and their own, after they
are joined, followed by intense watchfulncS5,
that no black sheep creep into their folds
may be impressed by these anecdotes upon
the minds of those for whom they are IN
tended.
One lesson | feel it very necessary to in
culcate-that OF patience.
With little patience most young men
will find IA position as kigh as they have fit
ted themselves to fill.
In all the changes which have taken place
in my firm since 1922, no partner has been
brought in who has not served as u clerk in
the establishment. Aud ] 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-
couragemcnt to young men to persevere in
the faithful performance of their duties.