The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-06
Mind Your Own Business"

FRANKLIN was, we believe, the author
OF this homely Injunction. 1t is not Il
polite phrase to address to a friend at
the moment when he happens to be in
,teresting himself in the affairs of other
people, but as a general adnonition, adj
dressed to nobody in particular, but to
all mankind, it ought to stand side by
side with the golden rule. Not that
there is reason to find fault with the
spirit that kindly interests itself i'm the
concerns of friends who need help.
Such solicitude is generally welcomed
by its recipient, and often results in
very great benefit. The charitable side
OF human nature is not so broad that we
need to reduce its proportions.
But we would have people mind their
own business in the strict sense of at
tending thoroughly, watchfully and con-
,stantly to that which most directly and
vitality concerns themselves-their own
pursuit, trade, occupation, or anything
to which they have specially devoted
their activities. To succeed, they must
do this, and when they have given it
the attention that it needs, there is lit
tie time to look after the affairs of other
people. 1t may be small business, but
this makes constant attention all the
more needful. Men have made for
tunes by trading in popcorn on the
street corners, simply by standing at
their posts early and late, in storm and
sunshine, and Selling the moments
when competition for the day had
ceased.
Too much inattention to business
comes from an unwillingness to be
looked upon as grubbing in IL rut A.;
whereas nothing is better for mental
discipline and expansion than con-
slant wakefulness of all the business
faculties. The man who is alive to what
is going on around him is something
more than IL plod,ler. His business will
expand, and with it his mental capacity
and comprehension of the scope and
management Of business. But mindine
ones own business means something
more than entire absorption in the day 5
affairs. loo close attention is as jul
rious as too little. We have seen men,
who have grown rich by active effort,
become mOnomaniacs from the appre-
hension Of coming to want after age had
forced them to retirement from life $
activities. Men have been run over
and crushed by railroad trains while
too intently thinking of their last bal
ance sheet or the next investment. A
few days ago a messenger who had
drawn large sum of money from a
bank in Philadelphia was accosted in
the street by a stranger, who politely
informed him that he had dropped !,
note. He turned to recover it, when
the courteous gentleman snatched the
money from his hand and escaped 1t
is possible that such mistake might
have happened to anybody. But had
the messenger kept firm grasp and
steady eye upon his money he would
have known that he had not dropped a
note or even if he had had his wits
about him at the moment he would
have requested the stranger to pick up
the note for him. In either event his
employers would have been several
thousands richer to-day for his vigilance
and presence of mind.
There is one rule of business
courtesy which is too often violated.
We have seen it printed over the doors
of many business Offices and shops
viz: "Call upon man of business at
his place of business, in his hours OF
business, do your business with him.
and go about your business" A strict
observance of this rule would give t.
many man the rest which he needs
but of which he is thoughtlessly de
prived by those who prefer to call upor
him at dinner, or while he is at hi.
home in the evening, being "sure tt
find him at home'' The man who i.
constantly prosecuted in this way has {;
right to complain that he's being out
ragged. His digestion demands that hi
should eat his meals in quiet, undis
turbed by business cares; his mora
and social nature needs the refresh
ment that comes from few hours
spent with his family or friends aftel
the days work is past. The ont
place which should be sacred from in
trusion to the weary and jaded bust
ness man is his home. Without such :
spot for rest he cannot succeed. Lee
no reader forget that part of thu
formula which requires him to 50 cal
upon man of business at his place O.
business and nowhere else. There
may be one exception to this rule, ant
only one: If you have bill to pay
hunt up your creditor anywhere ant
everywhere, and get the money ant
the care off your mind. 1t is hi
money, and you have the right, as it il
your duty, to be relieved of it's Gus
tody and the responsibility therefor a
the earliest possible moment.-Woon
socket Or. ~ Patriot.