Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-15
Advice to Young Men.

NV dear boy, we must All pt Cieihs
before we can attain the next step high
err: be pupils before we are teachers;
learn to earn money before we can learn
to use it judiciously. Accept your
nosition for what il is: a stepping-stone
To something better providing you mt
yourself for the next step.
And how shall YOU do thiss Not by
sauntering through the days work as if
your mind was connected with the pen
dulum of the clock and you were deter
mined TO do just what you must do and
nothing more. In the first place make
YOUR employers business your business.
If you see where penny of his is need
lessly spent and you can save it, do 1T at
once. If you can increase his business
dollar by an effort of your own-do it,
Do the lights burn needlessly-turn
them down. Can you make the broom
wear longer by running piece of Irvine
through it-don't give the matter another
thought, do it at once. Does the stove
draw stronger than is needed-do not
wait until you are ordered before you
turn the damper. All honest work Is
honorable. Do not waste time looking
for " something better" Half loaf is
better than no bread" If you are fitted
for better position have no fear but
that it will be soon known to others. be
ashamed of no work except dishonest
work. / have case in mind that bears
upon this point.
A young man, nicely brushed up and
very genteel, entered an office and with
polite air addressed the gentleman there
with, Sir, you want young man here
/ believer"
"Yes," was the reply.
"Here are my recommendations SAID
the young man, as he handed paper
certifying he was worthy OF confidence,
etc.
The gentleman read the paper, and
looked up, remarking, ave should be
glad to do your friends the compliment
of engaging you, and, therefore, you will
please let me say something in regard to
fitness
What shall / be expected to do?"
asked the young man.
"To aid in the office as opportunity
may present, and collect drafts, etc, "
was the answer.
q don't think collecting drafts would
agree with my feelings" replied the
young man.
Well" quietly responded the gentle
man, j" would not advise you to do any
thing against your feelings. Gooe morn
ing"
Of course, it is an easy thing for you
to laugh at this foolish young man, but
are you sure that you are free from the
same silly pride? Yet TIE position in
question was the very one the proprietor
had accepted when he went to work for
his predecessor and made it a stepping
stone to one Of the highest places in the
city.
Neglect nothing, however small. Save
the odds and ends. Form the habit of
saving in the little things as well as in
greater things. One day young man
applied at the Office of banker for a
situation, but he was turned away with
out any encouragement. AS he was
passing ost of the house he was not too
proud or careless to pick up pin. The
wise banker saw the act, called him back
and gave him employment, convinced by
the seeming small circumstance of his
carefulness and economy. That young
man was La Fitte, the celebrated French
banker.
Be prompt Your time is not your own,
but your employers. Keep up with your
duties-be ahead of them. Have the
store swept few minutes before the
time rather than minute behind. Post
up your DOCKS the ldSI Jay Ol TIE Week OF
the last day of the month.
81 once knew young man." said an
eminent preacher the other day, "who
was commencing life as clerk. One
day his employer said to him, Now to.
morrow that cargo of cotton must be got
out and weighed, and we must have a
regular account of it,
0He was a young man of energy This
was the first time he had been intrusted
to superintend the execution of this
work. He made his arrangements over
night, spoke to the men about their carts
and horses, and made every preparation
for beginning the task early in the morn
ing. His master came in, and, seeing
him sitting in the counting-room, looked
very black, supposing that his commands
mad not been executed.
al thought sand the master, you
were required to get out that cargo by
morning?
1t is all DONE said the young man
and here is the account of it,
He never looked behind from that
moment. His character was fixed, conf
dence was established. He was found to
be the man TO do the thing with prompt
ness. He very soon could not be spared
he was as necessary TO the firm as any OF
the partners"
Be polite 1t is not only your duty to
your employer, but it is laying up capital
for yourself. If you offend a customer
you have made an enemy. Do not toady
to the rich and then browbeat the poor
You cannot judge of mans purse by
his coat.
Be persevering. The race is not always
to the swift. Let others be more brilliant
they will tire out the sooner. He who
ascends with step may come down with
step. Patient perseverance accom-
plishes that which brilliancy turned from
with dismay. John and Henry begin
life together as clerks in merchants
counting-rsom. John has more varied
talents than Henry and gains more favor
in the eyes of their employer during the
first few months. There is no denying
that John is smart, and Henry compare
lively slow. John can accomplish more
work in given time, but Henry is more
painstaking. 1t occurs to John that he
can do his work in less time than he il
now taking, and he determines to come to
business little later, and leave little