American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-11-13
Keep Out Of the City.

About the most reprehensible piece
of business. that we know anything
about is the advice, sometimes given
by parties who are in some way inter-
csted, to young men in the country to
come to the city. 1t is bad advice, and
scores of honest country lads find it so
every year. Occasionally, and only
occasionally. does the young man from
the country find a desirable opening
in the city, and begin signal1y sue
cessful career, The city is full to over
flowing. There is no business that is
not greatly overdone, and there is no
business which cannot at any time be
supplied with more help than it needs.
There is no position now filled which
cannot be filled with as much compe-
tency as it now is, and at much less
salary than the present occupant is re-
ceiving, almost at Il moments notice.
Employers are usually willing to pay
what services are worth, and desire to
retain tried and faithful help. Other
wise there is not man or woman EN-
pIoyed in Chicago to-day who would
not have their salary reduced, or their
place filled by some one else. Times
are now prosperous. Business is ut its
noontide of success. Never was more
monev made in the marts of trade than
is being made here now; and yet, while
this is true, we have hundreds of
young men who are either working for
starvation wages, or are wholly idle.
Is it wise, therefore, for young man
to come from the farm or the village
into this overcrowded community where
the chances would be hundred to one
against success? Where he now is, he
has room, and not only has room, but
l. L, g. l..
services than our young men will aver
age. A familiar comparison will be
beneficial. Ten dollars a week is proba-
bly, the average for the salary of a
clerk. We know of competent and ac-
complished book-keepers who are work.
ing for ten dollars q week, and we know
competent clerks who are working for
five and seven dollars. For our pres
ent purpose, however, we will take ten
dollars for the average. Out of this, at
the very lowest estimate, five dollars
must be paid for board, and that will
secure only small room without fire
in winter. Seventy-ive cents a week
will be the average for washing. Two
dollars will have to go for clothes, and
then comes the almost inevitable cigar,
theaters and other qualification of tastes
which are so easily formed in the city,
and which cost the average young man
at least two dollars a week. We have
thus figured up an aggregate of about
five hundred dollars for expenses, leav
inc only few dollars balance, and that
balance will only be found in very few
instances.
Now, in comparison with this, let us
look at the common, Industrious and
frugal farm hand. He receives from
eighteenth twenty-five dollars per month
and his board. This is about as good
as ten dollars per week, and if he gets
the higher sum, it is more. He has no
temptations to beset him like the young
man in the city, and consequently his
tastes are less expensive. The result is
that in few years he is the owner of a
farm and the employer of help. Every
reader knows that some of our most
prosperous and wealthy farmers began
life in just this way, and it is not unu-
sual for us to receive letters from farm
help. saying that they are saving their
money, and4that they intend soon to
have farm of their own. Now. can
didly, young man, which is the better
off of the two classesp-W stern Rural.
The Stafford, England, borough
analyst reported to the Town Council
lately the results of his examination of
some samples of unfermented wine"
One sample consisted of sugar, tartaric