New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-06-06

| il the boy has some marked, unmistakable capa-
city for science art or mechanics, the only diff
Guilty is to find him the best field In which TO
work.
But in the great majority of instances, the
Young men who will come home during the next
fortnight with their diplomas, however clever,
ready, industrious and well-trained In Horace
and Legendre, are just as fit for blacksmithinR
or preaching as for the law or fsh-breeding.
They have no special gift for any money max
ing occupation. Their fathers have strained
and stinted home expenses for years to get them
through college, and are anxious to find them
able to stand on their feet and to buy the shoes
to cover those feetas soon as possible. But the
BOYS should not be discouraged, even when they
have no special ability or skill in either brain OF
hands. There are other kinds of capital quite
as weighty and productive of good interest in
the business world as money or talent.
One and the first in value, too, is vugarly known
as cheek. 1t is not the quality which we would
choose IN friend, perhaps 1t does not recon-
mend man either to other men or to his God
but, with solid honesty as fulcrum, 1t certainly
is the best lever which he can use III clearing his
way to fortune. 1t is, when Analysed, the QUICK
sight to perceive the point of vantage on which
he may climb above his fellows, the effrontery
to believe himself fitted to occupy that point,
and above all, the skill to advertise himself
and his wares to the public when he has got
there. The saucy cOnceited, disagreeable boy,
who has been snubbed at home and at schoo |,
often makes his way easily in the world, while
the gentle, scholarly lad, always leader III his
class, sinks into insignifcance. If the pushing
boy has been taught religious principle and
stern integrity, and has been sOftened by VAIN
love ut home he will at middle-age become, in
all probability, the more admirable man OF the
two. The world usually lashes the offensive
conceit out of q man by the time he is fifty.
An ability TO make friends through happy,
genial temperament and courteous bearing Is
another kind of capital which fathers are apt to
overlook in their Sons, but which is OF enor-
nous value to them throughout life. Ityou ADD
to this the downright sincerity of character
which will keep the friends when won. the boys
future is toerably secure. You will find that
he will keep on his feet, whether he be ply
scian, tradesman, or lab0rer.
These hints may holp anxious, moneyless
parents to look for other qualities in their sons
than manifest well-defned talent, and to find
a field in which such qualities act success
fully AS for the field, it is useless 70 repeat
our warning not to send them into the cities.
They will come hut the most hopeful sign of
the times is that they leave 80 soon. 1t needs
but few years OF disappointment and neglect
to convince an intelligent man that without
money, remarkable talent or family or DOlih-
cal influence there is no chance for him in New
York, Philadelphia or Boston. The time, too,
for great successes in trade for a man with
small capital in these commerce al centres has
gone by; the fortunes and corporations are too
many and vast for him 10 contend against. The
Vanderbits, Glrards and AstOrs of the future
will come from growing towns which are nOwiin
the condition which New York and Philadelphia
were when Vanderbilt and Girard made
gigantic fortunes ont of petty beginnings 1t
is in the farms and villages of the West, where
living is cheap and skill and industry are at
premium, that our pennilcss lad will stand
chance of success not in NewYork, where
living is dear and industry and skill are drugs
in tho market. These are p.atitudes, dinned to
WEAKNESS into every boys ears; but what
boy believes themf
One word more: Let a boy choose any
profession for the purpose of earning living
rather than that of The Christian ministry. I'm
fortunately, education in it TO needy young men
il made gIatuitOus; and upon graduation
situation, a certain income, and good social
position are secure These easOns have tempted
mercenary young men into the pulpit in
every sect, who are failures in themselves and
an injury 10 the cause Of Christ. Let lis have
no more Of them.