Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-03-27

O 0ANNO uoIl uul
this time was want of society; for youn
man of any refinement of feeling, and NJ
possessing to any great degree that quaiit
denOminated ''brass,n might live in th
city for years without being brought
that friendly, neighborly contact with PEE
pie cOngenial to him, without which exis
ence becomes little better than a blank
Alter few months, a change occurring i
the firm that employed me, l was told that
not doing the amount of business they an
ticlpated, they should decrease store ex
penses by reducing the salaries of the othe
clerks, and as l was the last employed
they should get along without my services
not that they were dissatisfied with me-
would recommend me, etc.
felt very sorry for this, for | had 90
used to my business, and could perform i
without fear of not doing it right, that
had at first, and liked my employers very
well, and did not like the idea of having
to begin in 4 new place ; however, did
not think it a very serious matter, for ]
supposed L could easily get situation be-
fore the end of the week this was on Wed.
nesday) by personal application, or by an
swerlnS some of the many advertisements
which had noticed in the papers under
"help wanted" l looked in the papers in
which the wants are principally published,
and selecting two or three which | thought
L might perhaps be successful with, l wrote
the advertisers in the best manner l was
capable OF, and was somewhat surprised as
the next day passed, and the next also,
a! not receiving any reply. However, 1
looked oTer the papers again, aud selecting
some more promising looking offers, an-
swered them; some OF them by letter, as
directed, and others in person, at time and
place specified and although, at the first
one | visited, was on hand before the ap-
pointed time. 1 found twenty applicant.
ahead of me, which number was consider
ably augmented in the time stayed, which
was not long, for as soon as the merchant
arrived, he said: Gentlemen, ,are there any
among your number who have ever occu-
pied position of this kind in the city p,
naming vacancy he wished to have filled.
''if there are they will please come in the
office" Five intelligent looking young men
Immediately stepped forth from whom to
select; of course, the rest of US had no
chance, and a repetition of this is what
occurred every day, for business is done
here in New York in specialties more
than any where else in the country
that is a firm does business in one or
few separate articles, and the employ
ment runs IN the same way. If mer-
chant wishes to engage an entry clerk he
not only wants one who has served in that
capacity, but if he is dealer in fancy
goods, he wants an entry clerk who has
been employed in that particular branch
OF business, and in this city or if he does
not make this last condition absolutely
essential, he will give the preference to such
an one certainly, and SO it is in all branches
Of business, whether wholesale or retail. |
80 :" tail sIIUe uU5Iivr--Jr, .JixtI, !
avenue advertised IUI "--r--,.,- s...,, -
man with whom l become acquainted ap-
piled. The dealer saw that the young man |
understood the business thoroughly, but |
told him he had an application by a clerk
from another store on the same avenue, |
aud he thought he might influence some /
trade; at any rate, other things being |
equal, he must of course give him the pre- !
ference.
Before the end of two weeks fruitless |
search for employment my money was ex-
great mental effort, applied to my former
employer for the loan Of two dollars, which |
was given me, but in way which ] con-
strued TO meant must be the last. | |
still had shelter for another week, but moth
nc more. l received answers to some of
my communications during this time, but
hey all ended in nothing.
At one place where a gentleman had ad-
vertised for rapid penman, good at
figures, was well received, and the gen.
leman seemed to take quite an interest in
ne. Now my penmanship could not be
;&lled elegant, though good enough for or
linary purposes as an accountant, l am
| had strong hopes of getting
here, but when he showed me
samples of penmanship that had been sub
nitted by other applicants, my heart failed
ne one man in particular had left a sam
pie of writing which ! have never seen ex-
,clled ; it was like cOpper-plate-''the cor
clerk" the gentleman said, 'of
1 large house, been affected oy the panic,
ne wants to earn so per week, but would
work for less.''
| had now been unemployed for three
weeks, during the last of which, to satisfy
he cravings of hunger, had sold few
articles of clothing that | could possibly |
get along without, and now had come Sat
lrday, when the rent of my room for the
ensuing week must be paid. / dreaded |
asking for trust in 4 matter of this kind,
from lady but the thought of
being turned into the street at length over
powered other considerations, 50, putting
On an Indifferent air, l carelessly remarked |
10 my landlady that l did not get any
money that day, but would pay her the
first OF the week. She looked at me won
but answered me kindly.
Monday l renewed my efforts with re-
doubled earnestness, but it was of no use. |
There are places where agents are wanted
10 sell supertluous articles by canvassing |
city or country, and the most glowing in
lucements are held out, but even these
require the investment Of some capital. |
The business is very dis,asteful TO me, but |
| resolved to try i, if could get chance.
| found a man vino was willing to let me |
have sample OF his wares without paying |
for them until sold. At first l did not think |
very favoraby of the article he had to sell |
,patent razor strops), but after hearing him |
explain all the qualities and advantages of |