The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-23

That veteran and honorable merchant, Jonathan
sturges, OF New York, at the dinner given In his
honor, on the occasion of his retirement from
tive business, gave the following golden counsel
to young men:
Now, gentlemen, since there is nothing that
can talk about that yo7 do not understand great
dealer better than do.I propose to say few
words for the benefit Of the young men outside
sidered as said by this grand jury OF merchants
now assembled. 1i tlHa fa tf
One of the first lessons / received was in 1918.
when was eleven years of age. Ny grandfather
had collected fne flock Of merino sheep. which
we're carefully cherishedduriug the war Of lsl2-l5.
was shepherd boy. and my business was to
watch the sheep In the Fields. A boy, who was
more fond of his books than of sheep. ives 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 gentle
man. shall never forget his benignant smile as
be replied: = Never you mind, II you watch the
sheep you shall have the sheep" thought to
myself, what does the old gentleman meanf
don't expect to have any sheep. My aspirations
were quite moderate In those days, aud hrst-
rate merino buck was worth $1,000 i could not
make ont exactly what he meant, but had great
confidence in him, as he was Judge and had been
| 10 Congress in Washington's time so concluded
that it was all right, whatever he meant, and went
| out conientedly with the theep. After got to
the Geld could not get that idea out OF my head
| Finally thought of my Sunday lesson: !" Thou
| hast been faithful over 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! l
do not think 1t win take many lads as long as IL
| did me TO understand this proyerb.
| Ireceived my second lesson soon after came
to this city as clerk to the late Lumsn Reed. A
| merchant from Ohio, who knew me, came 70 pur
chase goods of Mr.. Reed. he expressed his
| qualification at finding me there, and said to me
" You have got good place. Make yourself
so useful that they cannot do without youp
took his meaning quicker than l did the proyero
about the sheep. Well, worked upon these two
ideas until Mr.. Reed offered me an interest in his
business.
The frst morning after the copsrtnership was
announced Mr.. James Geery, the old tea mer'
chant, called TO see me, and said me: " You are
all right now; have one word OF advice TO give
You +: be careful who you walk the streets with
That was lesson number three.
In this connection | must repeat en- a1ecdott
fold of the late Robert Lennox. A country
merchant came into the store Of Mr.. Morton, {
highly respectable Scotch merchant, 10 purchase
goods. he spoke abort credit, references. etc
Mr. Morton said al will give you what eredi
!, Won wisb,n s.But.n said the merchant, al an 80
entire stranger 70 your Mr.. Morton replied
Ibid not see you at church with Robert Leu
nox ~ Eyes, was at church with him. /" % Veil
will trust any man whom Robert Lennox VII
take 20 church with him"
| bspe these three lessons OF watchfulnes
over the interests Of their employers, watcnfnl
ness over their partners interests and tnei
own. after they are joined, followed by intens
yatchfulness that no black sheep creep Int
their fosds, may be impressed by these anec
dotes upon the minds Of these for whom the
are intended.
One other lesson / feel it very necessary to II
culcate-that Of patience.
With little patience most youpg men viii IN
a position as high as they have fitted themselys
10 ill. -.
In an The changes which have taken place 10 N
firm since 1872 no partner has been brought |
who has not served as a clerk IN the establish
ment. And now leave my house well organic :.
I'll prosperous, and free from compllcations, sthi
he hands Of those who have served In il clerl
: for longer or shorter period. mention TINS
! en- encouragement TO young men 70 perseYere
I the faithful performance Of their duties.