Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-23
Prudence in the Young.

nv C'uSlc III " no are Oh
course addicted to retrospection, says the
North Ameracdn, as young men are to draw
ing on the future, look almost with envy on
those who are just entering life; for men OF
experience San see what they might have
done, had they possessed in youth the
knowledge which they have obtained by
years of battling with the world The old
are usually ready enough with counsel; but
good advice is one OF the commodities which
are more freely offered thantaken. Indeed,
good advice is seldom accepted by those to
whom it is offered. We suppose, therefore,
that our homily will be ink wasted and paper
spoiled But notwithstanding, here goes
We are at least interested.
Young men do not see the need of econo-
my, and place higher value on credit than
on capital We do not advise meanness or
penurious habits, but do think that such a
course as would give a young'man on reach
ing his twenty fifth or thirtieth year some
actual property, however small in amount,
would be very much wiser than living up to
the total income Many clerks and statesmen
command good salaries. Many journeymen
also draw very fair wages, and that, loo,
while they are unencumbered with any
charges heynond their own maintenance.
Any young man is delighted with an ad
vance in his income. Now, why can he not
secure an advance to himself? If, for in
stance, he is tempted to an outlay of hun
dred or two hundred dollars, or less, for some
supcrfuity, why not invest that money in
some mode that it would yield him profit? =?
which is, in effect, an increase of salary 1t
would be such an addition to his means as
would not depend upon anybody favor or
caprice; and the habit once begun would
soon place him in position above the dan
ger of want or the fear Ct idleness.
IF anybody ask what mas turned our edi--
itorial pen in this direction, We viii state a
case. 1t is fact, by the way and we judge
one of many like instances. Passing through
the public room of hotel the other day, We
saw young fellow sitting there with the air
of a habitue of the place, and in a costume
which indicated the shabby gcntcel." We
knew his story. A year or two ago he was a
clerk, upon salary which enabled him to
live, and he lived up to every dollar Of it.
By the decease ofrelatives he came in posses
sion of ten or twelve thousand dollars.
If he bad put this in Government bonds,
or any other security, it would have added
eight hundred dollars to his annual income.
He might have remained in his clerk shin
and have been steadily accumulating money
not, to be sure, at rapid rate, but without
any ris k, and with feeling OF comfortable
independence which many a merchant
might envy. But to-day he is not worth a
dollar, and the shabby suit he wears is not
paid for, and never will be-
Legacles ruin many one, but habits OF
improvidence ruin more. Ii the rising
youth of our land, in whatever business
they may be, would while they have liv-
ing secured. look to the future in udicious
manner, saving their surplus, however
small, the business of the country would be
put on better basis than at present. There
would be more actual capital employed, and
less reliance put on credit. Business talents
are of high value, even without capital, but,
backed by ready money, aptness for business
is invaluable. Most clerks do, aud all should
count on undertaking business for them
selves. If they could enter upon it with
habits of economy they would be sure OF
success.