The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-10-25

Sorry He DID Not Learn a TRADE,
4 STORY FOR BOYS.

).
The COGchnaGherS' Journal says A
young man, we'll dressed and of prepos-
sessing appearance, called at our Office re-
Gently and inquired in great earnestness if
we had employment of any kind to give
him for but few days, if for no longer.
as he was a stranger in the city, out Of
money and unable to pay for few days
board and lodging. He further stated
that he was book-keeper but after dill
gent search he had found no one who want
ed any help in that line, nor could he OBJ
tain employment at anything that he felt
competent TO perform in a satisfactory
manner. The positions of a clerk and
bool1-kccper, he remarked, were all filled,
and applicants for them far in excess of
the demand. Il am sorry" said he, ''that
/ did not learn a trade"
The appeals of the young man excited
our sympathy, but, requiring no further
assistance in the office, we were compelled
to reply to his eager questionings that we
could not employ him.
The door closed after him and he again
bility, proved to be fruitleEs search for
employment. But his words fingered be-
hind him, and as we sat musing on them
recalled to mind the oft-repeated EXPIRES
sons Of the mechanic in which he reproves
himself for want Of foresight in selecting
an occupation. Here l am doomed, ne
says. to toll in a shop at work which is
hard, affording but poor pay. Like dog
l must come at the call of whistle, or like
the servant obey the summons of bell ;
had l studied bookkeeping or entered a
store as = clerk, | might have been lead
ing an easier and more pieasurable life.
In the cases cited, we find each one dis
satisfied with his selections, and wishing
to exchange places. And the difficulty at
once presents itself as how we shall decide
for them and the classes they represent, so
the seeming mistake may be remedied.
We acknowledge we are unequal to the
task
Food, clothing, tools, machinery, houses.
ships, and an almost endless variety Of
other things are continually in demand,
which requires the labor of farmers and
exchanges (merchants) is. of necessity,
comparatively few in number, and, there
fore, needs but n small force Of assistants
The necessaries of the millions of earth re-
quire by far the largest number of per-
sons to be employed in agriculture and
manufactures. When ever then, through
pride or any motive, parents disregard the
law and encourage their sons in seeking
situations as clerks, booi-Izecpers, etc,
rather than to engage in those pursuits for
there must be corresponding amount of
suffering as penalty. Hence we find the
so called respectable occupations are glut-
ted, while the mechanical branches are
suffering through the lack Of skilled labor
ers. An advertisement for a clerk will
bring to the door small army Of appli-
cauts, Of all sizes and ages, while the want
column may plead several days fer q good
mechanic. and fail to meet with a response.
''Sorry he did not learn a trade Let
apprentices and iourneymen who may be
bewailing their lot at once resolve to thus
repine no longer, but by hard study and
close application master their trades, and
having done SO, demand fair compenSa-
ti9ra- Then L5- ~1Ii--s< al-ill- I.eI.eaG,
and punctuality and economy in expendi-
lures, there need be no fear that they shall
be compelled at any time to beg for suf1i-
cient employment to pay for days board
and lodging.