The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-03-25
Lessons from an Old Merchant.

This veteran and honorable mercn8nt,
Jonathan Eturges, ofNew York, at the din.
ner given in his honor, on the occasion OF
his retiremens from active business, gave
the following golden counsel to young
men:
Now, gentlemen, since there is nothing
that can talk about that you do not un
derstand great deal better than do,
propose to say word 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 as
sembled.
One Of the first lessons I received was il
1873, when was eleven years Of age. MY
grandfather had collected fine flock O
merino sheep; which were carefully cherish
ed during the war of 1925. was {
shepard boy, and my business was towatcf
the sheep in. the fields. A boy, who wa
more fond of his books than Of sheep, wa.
sent with me, but left the work to me
while he lay in the shade and read hi
books.
/ finally complained Of this to the OLD
gentleman. / shall never forget his be
nignant smile as he replied: Never 70,
mind, if you watch the sheep you will hav'
the sheep" Thought to myself, what doe
the old gentleman mean2 ! don't expec
to have any sheep. Ny aspirations wer'
quite moderate in those days; and q first
rate merino buck was worth $1,000, / couli
not make out exactly what he meant bu
/ had great confidence in him, as he was :
judge and had been to Congress in Wash
ington's time; so / concluded that it wa
alright, whatever he meant and went Out
contentedly with the sheep. After I go1
the field I could not get that idea out O
my head. Finally / thought Ct my Sunday
lesson: "Thou; hast been faithful over {
few things, will make thee ruler ovel
many things" Then / understood it
Never you mind who else neglected his du
ty, be you faithful and you will have YOU
reward! I do not think it will take many
lads as long as it did me to understand this
proyerb.
Ireceived my second lesson soon after
came to this city, as clerk to the late Lu
man Reed. A merchant from Ohio, Wit
knew me, came to purchase goods of Mr.
Reed. He expressed his qualification al
finding ME there, and said to me. "Yor
have got good place. Make yourself q
useful that they cannot do without you
/ took his meaning quicker than / did thu
proverb abont the sheep. Well worked
upon these two ideas until Mr.. Reed offer
ed me an interest in his business.
The first morning after the copartner
ship was announced, Mr.. James Geery, thu
old tea merchant called to see me, and said
to me: "You are all right now; have Ont
word of advice to give You; be careful who
yon walk the streets with" That was les
son number three.
In this connection I mnst repeat an an.
ecdote told Of the late Robert Lennaux
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 You what credit you
want" But said the merchant. II am on
active stranger to you,n Mr.. Morton replied
did | not see you at church with Robert
Lennauxq Eyes, II was at church with
him." Well, / will trust any man whom
Robert viii take to church with him.,
] hope these three lessons Of watchful
ness over the interests Of their employers
watchfllness over their partners interests
and their own, latter they are Joined, fol
lowed by intense watchfulness that nc
black sheep creep into their folds may be
impressed by these anecdotes upon the
minds Of those for which they are inten'
ded.
One other lesson / feel it very necessary
to inculcate-that of patience.
With . little patience most young men
will linda position as high as they have
fitted themselves to fill.
/ lii all the changes which have taken
place In my firm since 1922, no partner has
been brought in who has not served as q
clerk in the establishment. Aud / now
leave my house well organized, prosper
GUS, and free from complications, still in
the hands Of those who have served in il
as clerks for longer or shorter period.
mention this as an encouragement to al
young men to persevere in the faithful
perfremanee Of their duties.
n