Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-03-05
Lesson. from an Old Merchant.

That veteran and honorable merchant JON
athan Sturges of New York, at a dinner
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 propose
to say few words for the benefit of the
young men outside, and if you approve OF
what is said, let it he considered as said by
this Grand Jury of Merchants now assem-.
bled. One of the first lessons l received
was in 1918, when | was eleven years ofage.
NV grandfather had collected fine flock OF
merino sheep, which were carefully cherish
ed during the war of 1912 10. was shep-
herd boy, and my business was to watch the
sheen 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 gentleman. |
shall never forget his benignant smile as he
replied: "Never you mind; if you watch
the sheep, you will have the sheep" l
thought to myselt what does the old gen.
tleman mean? don't expect to have any
sheep. My aspirations were quite moderate
in those days, and first-rae merino buck
was worth one Thousand dollars. could
moi make out exactly what he meant, but
had great confidence in him, as he was a
| Judge, and had been to Congress in WASH
| ingion's time, so concluded that it was all
right, whatever he meant, and went out con-
tentedly with the sheep. After got to the
field could not get that idea out of my head.
/ IN;,all, 7 fbnt,,rht f,f NV Sunday InccOn g..
Thou hast been faithful over few things.
will make you ruler over many things.
| Then understand it: Never you mind who
else neglects his duiy be you faithful, ant
you will have your reward; do not think
| II will take many lads as long MS it did me
to understand this proverb. received my
second lesson soon after | came to this city
as clerk to the late Lyman Reed. A mer
chant from Ohio who knew me, came tc
purchase goods of Mr.. Reed. He expressed
his qualification at finding me there, and sale
to me: you have got a good place. MAXI
yourself so useful that they cannot do with
out YOU" took his meaning quicker thar
did the provcrb about the skeep. Well,
worked upon these two ideas until Mr.. Reet
offered me an interest in his business. TIL,
first morning after the cu-partnership wa
announced, Mr. James Geery, the old tel
merchant, called to see me, and said TO me
"You are all right now; have one wore
of advice to give you: be careful who yo,
walk the streets with" That was lessor
number three. In this connection / mus
repeat an anccdote told of the late Robcr
Lennox. A country merchant came int,
the store of Mr.. Morton, highly respect
able Scotch merchant, to purchas
goods He spoke about credit, references
etc. Mr.. Morton said; - will Civ
you what credit you wish. But, sal
the merchant, :" am an entire stranger t
YOU" Mr.. Morton replied, .'Do you know
Robert Lennox." The merchant said yes,
was at church with Kim. "Well, will trus
any man whom Robert Lenox will take t
church with him." hope these three les
sons of watchfulness over the interests @
their employers, watchfulness over thei
partners interests and their own, after the
are Joined, followed by intense watchfulnes
that no black sheep creep Into their folds
may be impressed by these anecdotes upo
the minds OF those for whom they arc il
tended. One other lesson | feel it yer
necessary to incnlcato--that Of patience
With little patience most young men wi
find position as high as they have fitte
themselves to fill. In oil the changes whic
have taken place in my firm since 1922, n
; partner has brcn brought in who has M
! served as clerk in the establishment An
now have my house well organized, pro-
, porous and free from complications, still
the hands of those who have served in it 9
clerks for longer or shorter period. mel
this as an encouragement to yonng men
persevere in the faithful performance of the
: dutipg