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

ss"'T seNind Your Own Business"
FRANKLIN was, we believe, the author
Of this homely injunction. 1t is not a
p9hte 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 admonition, 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 in 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, thew 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 grabbing in rut !;
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 u plodder. His business will
expand, and with it his mental capacity,
and comprehension of the scope and
management of business. But minding
ones own business means something
more than entire absorption in the day 5
affairs. Too close attention is as inju-
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's
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 a 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 a
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 a 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 a 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 tc
many a man the rest which he needs
but of which he is thoughtlessly de-
prived by those who prefer to call upon
him at dinner, or while he is at hi
home in the evening, being "sure tt
find him at home.'' The man who il
constantly prosecuted in this way has a
right to complain that he's being out.
ragged. His digestion demands that he
should eat his meals in quiet, undis-
turbed by business cares; his moral
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. Lei
no reader forget that part of the
formula which requires him to :" cal
upon man of business at his place Of
business and nowhere else. There
may be one exception to this rule, and
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. It is hi.
money, and you have the right, as it i.
your duty, to be relieved of its Gus
tody and the responsibility therefor a
the earliest possible moment. Woon
socket (R. l. Patriot.