The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-09-11

lutlH gets by IdkIHS UOiu OF WOfk, ana
doing it until he can do it easily and
perfectly.
There is a noble establishment in
Broadway where many, ofus go, occa-
sionally, for the rehabilitation of our
outer man. 1t was in the grand upperi
room of this palace-like store, while /
was being measured for coat. that l
conceived the idea of writing this arti-
Gle. In well-conducted establishments
of every kind you will notice the same
faces year after year: for able men
naturally gather Able men around them.
land employers and employed, by recip-
rocal justice and courtesy, become
attached to one another, and have
neither motive nor desire to sever the
connection. And yet on that occasion.
seeing around me the same skillful and
obliging persons that | had seen
there ten years before, / could but
reflect how little chance they had to
advance from clcrkship to mastership.
Suppose" thought j, ga lad of sixteen
or seventeen should propose TO himself,
as an object, i'll life, to become the pro-
prietor of an establishment like this
what would be the shortest and likeliest
path for him to strike into?"
feel certain that the best thing he
could do would be to apprentice himself
to good tailor, and learn all there is to
be known about the making of clothes.
Having acquired that acknowledgement
with his head only but with his fingers
as well-nothing would be easier than
to set up small shop. Now, what is
the difference between a small tailor
shop DWELL placed and well conducted)
and the overshadowing clothing houses
of Brooks or Devlin? Why, nothing
but thirty years growth!
The knowledge which a clerk acquires
is part of the Indispensable equipment
of a man of business; but it is far from
being so vital to a grand success as that
which comes of true apprenticeship.
GibbOn says, that going out with the
militia on training days was of mate
rial assistance to him in writing the his
tory of the great Roman wars. Just
giving the word of command to Il few
companies of country militia let him in
to the secret of complicated battles and
great campaigns.
Learn trade then lads, you who as
pire to do something cTeditabIe and
substantial during your life. Would
you be an architect, and build the new
Capitol west of the Mississippi? Well,
then, go apprentice to the best carpcn-
ter or mason within your reach. Do
you wish to be sculptor, and yet can
not pay masters fee? Instead of
pining in your mothers chimney cor
ner, go to the nearest stonc-cutter's and
cut tombstones.
The educating effect of learning a
good trade has never been sufficiently
considered.
Why have we, nowadays, so many
simpering, silly girls about, who know
nothing, can do nothing, and are moth
ing? They have been at school long
enough to get little knowledge, and
they do not appear to be wanting in nat
ural capacity and yet so empty arc
they of sense and reflection, that often
when / look into their expressionless
countcnanccs, ! find it difficult to be-
lieve in the Immortality of their souls.
1t seems more reasonable to think that
such abortive efforts of Nature would be
quietly absorbed or dissipated, like the
leaves which flutter to the ground, and
are no more seen.
What is the matter with these poor
creatures? The matter is, they have
never boiled potatoes, ironed clothes,
made buildings, cleaned paint, made
| beds, nor in auy other way seriously APP
piled their minds and hands to the exact
and skillful performance of homely
tasks. They have missed the precious
education which comes ofcarefully- done
work. If any good soul would take
| half dozen of these unfortunate be-
ings, and give them good three years
drill in the work of a Well-ordered
house, the educating effect would as
tonish every one who knew them. You
cannot boil an egg precisely right with
out getting little education out of it.
Compare the mechanics in the Nov
city Works with the clerks in Stewards
store. The clerks are excellent fellows
they look we'll, dress we'll, understand
their business, and are in every respect
worthy members of society; but oul
best mechanics have certain force OIL
manhood, weight of character, and q
depth of reflection rarely seen in those
who only buy and sell.
/ l should be sorry to say anything to
disparage our institutions of learning
Nevertheless, l feel confident that al
Intelligent youth, who remains at schoo,
until he is sixteen or seventeen. anC
then apprentices himselfto a good trade
can get better education out of his
shop (with an hours study of principles
in the evening" than it is possible to ger
i'll any college in eXistence-that is tC
say, better education for this new anC
forming country, where, for fifty year:
at least to come, no man can hope tC
play leading part, except i'll welding
material TO rces.
l say, then, lads of sixteen, if yor
would lay sure foundation for a sure
prosperity, begin by learning a trade
If you would escape the perdition of be
ing fool, learn a trade. If you would
do a mans part for your country, be
gin the work of preparation by learning
IL trade.