The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-29
Way People Cannot Find Employment

| Inc great want OF the present age is
thoroughness. Most people are content with, q
smattering of what they profess to know,
be it much or little, and 60 through life do.
ing just enough to get along with. It is
this that floods the market with mediocre
work of all kinds; this that disheartens
employers with the difficulty of obtaining
labor upon which they can rely.
| Even in the severest crisis it is not the
thorough workmen who go by the board
! AS long as work, however little is to he
done, they are certain to be in Demand
This is the case equally with woman and
with men. The favorite dressmaker of
neighborhood must be engaged in the spring
for the fall, and in the fall for the spring,
while efficient and faithful servants are
never at a loss to obtain homes, and part
ing with such a one is always regarded as a
domestic misfortune.
Every woman who would help the poor
to help themselves knows how difficult it is
to find a needle woman who really knows
how to sew; who car make a decent but
tonhole, or who is careful to finish off the
seams which she does on the sewing ma
chine. Indeed, any sewing machine agent
will bear witness that oEIy the smallest
number of seamstresses take the trouble or
pains to learn their machine properly, OF to
acquaint themselves with its construction
can be conscientiously recommended rs
skilled operators.
The lousemaid who sweeps in the corn
ers and under the mat is a rare treasure
There is an old story Of how druggist adj
vertised for a boy to assist in the business.
and selecting those ten or fifteen from
among the applicants who pleased him best
set them all to put up each package of salts.
Among the number only one performed
the task quickly and neatly. 10 him the
place was given, and the result jus titled the
choice. That whatever is worth doing at
all is worth doing well, is an atlage growing
only the brighter for much using, and those
who are content with ''well enough will
never excel in anything.
Nothing can be gained in this Ii e unless
one is willing to take some pains for it, The
girl who at school has her drawings retouch-
ed by the obliging master, can scarcely
wonder at her Inability to produce salts
factory sketch after she has left off her les
sons. She who, studying music, negects
her scales and ignores thorough bass, will
have only smattering OF tunes without
even shadow of their science. Most fail
ures in life are the result of wasted oppor-
tunities.
Many spring from the lack Of knowledge
which it was too much trouble to acquire
Not long since, in house-furnishing store
we were looking at baskets. z "Here,'' said
the merchant, sis one | can recommend.
I can sell you one cheaper, but this is well
worth the difference. See,'' and he set the
two side by side. The difference in work
was readily apparent-thefr were
twice as many withes in the one as in the
other, and they were firmly and well woven
"a basket to stand rough wear.
81 take every basket this man brings me,
he continued, ''and sell them easily his
work cali always be counted upon 'Pa-
tient continuance in we'll doing never
fails to brings its re ward, and he or she who.
in any department of work, may always be
to do their part well and thor
oughly, need never fear that, sooner or la
ter, their merits will not meet with recog-
milton.