Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-09-24
The HERALD.
Sorry he Did Not Learn a Trade.


From the Coach Makers Journal)
A young man, well dressed and OF
prepossessing appearance, called at
our Office recently, and inquired in
great earnestness if we had employ
ment Of any kind to give him for but
few days, if for no longer,as he as
u stranger in the city, out of money,
and unable TO pay for q few days
board and lodging. He further sta
ted that he was book-keeper, but af.
ter diligcnt search he found no one
who wanted any help in that line,
nor could he obtain employ ment at
anything be felt competent to per-
form in satisfactory manner. The
positions of clerk and book-keeper,
he remarked, were all filled, and APP
plicants for them far in excess of the
demand. III am sorry, "said he, "that
| did not learn trade"
The appeals OF the young man ex-
cited our sympathy, but, requiring
no further assistance in the office, we
were compelled to reply to his eager
questionings that we could not en-
ploy him.
The door closed after him, and he
again went out to continue what, in
all probability was fruitless search
for employment. But his words lin
gered behind him, and AS we sat mu-
sing on them, recalled to the mind
the oft-repeated expression of the
mechanic, for which he reproves him.
self for want of foresight in selecting
an occupation. Here | am doomed,
he says,to toll in shop at work that
is hard, affording but poor pay.
Like dog l must come at the call of
whistle, or like the servant obey
the summO of bell; had | studied
bookkeeping or entered store as
clerk, | might have been leading an
easier and more pleasurable life.
In the cases cited, we find each one
dissatisfied with his selection ard
wishing to exchange places. And
the difficulty at once presents itself
az to 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 continu.
ally in demand, which require the la.
bors of farmers and mechanics; while
that class which makes exchanges
(merchants) is, Of necessity, compar.
atively few in number and, therefore.
needs but a small force of assistants.
The necessities of the millions of
earth require by far the largest mum
Ser Of persons TO be employed in az
rlculture and manufactures. Wheno
ever, then, through pride or any mo-
tive, parents disregard the law and
encourage their sons in seeking situ-
ations as clerks, bookkeepers, etc,
rather than encourage them in pur
suits for which there is always nat
ural demand, there must be CORES.
ponding amount OF suffering as a pen.
atty. Hence we tiHd the s0-called
respectable occupations are glutted,
while the mechanical branches are
suffering through the lack of skilled
labOrerS. An advertisement for q
clerk will quickly bring to the office
door small army of applicants, Of
all sizes and ages while the want col,
umn may plead several days for a
good mechanic, and fail to meet with
response.
Sorry he did not learn trade"
Let apprentices and journeymen who
may be bewaiIing their lot at once
resolve to thus repine 40 longer, but
by hard study and close application
master their trade, and having done
50, demand fair compensation
Then by adding to skill, honesty aud
punctuality and economy in expend-
itures, there need be no fear that
they shall be compelled at any time
to beg for sufficient employment to
pay for days board and lodging.