Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-14
Rusiness Chances.

The popular Authorizations when
once existed in the minds of young men
about commercial Careers-say one gen.
Grafton back-are now forever dispelled.
In the good old time there seemed but
one possible ending for the career oil
any Young man who embarked In COM
mercial venture, viz: wealth and power,
il he were bnt faithful and honest. A
youth who served as clerk at that time
generally boarded in the family OF his
EMPLOYER. As the business grew his
position was advanced. He wooed and
won one OF the fair daughters OF the fam.
ily, was elevated to partnershlp-and
the only requisite, in addition TO fair
qualifications, was certain amount OF
hold on. Sometimes he was given an
interest in a new business in some new
place-a branch of the parent house, or
sold a stock of goods and given a long
time in which to repay the virtual loan,
and enough credit to carry on small
business. In later day, statesmen were
given interests in the business on ac-
count of the trade they would else di-
vert from the old house by the forma-
ton of new firm or going to rival,
when an interest was promised. This
is all played, as the boys say. Money
| is the criterion to-day. Merchants can
hire a staff of competent clerks at great
saving over what an interest in the
profits would yield; and they can he OBJ
tanned any day for the asking. Goods
and prices command trade, and sales
men no longer carry trade or customers
in their pockets as they once did. apd
| "a politicians now profess to carry their
| constituents. Business is Overdone, as
compared with those primeval days. and
money is what is wanted. II a man can
save from his salary enough to buy an
| interest in a business, or start new
| concern with one or two others similar
ly situated, he may get on. He may, II
| he choose, start a retail business on his
capital, and get perhaps an extra line
| where ne has been employed, il he be
worthy, but ten chances to one his ex-
perience, il in jObblng house, units
him for a retail business, andlf he be
not more than usually careful will soon
come to grief. When partners are want,
ed to-day, it is seldom tor the purpose
of tightening the labors Of the senior, but
to add to the capital for business extern
sion, or to ssve an old wreck by the in.
fusion of new blood as well as more cap
ital. Knowing tins, then, the clelk OF
to day knows what IS before him-a life
! of seridom on Il salary; it may be a good
one, and he may live well out of it and
provide for his widow by life insurance.
If ne values his abilities and wishes to
cope with the business world in the
struggle 'or place AMI power, he must
of necessity blind himself for time to
any other thought. Hard work. which
will develop him as well as better his
position, is necessary, coupled with the
most rigid economy, so that each year
he may add to his capital. BY such a
course most men of calibre will have
saved from 5000 10 5000 at an age
varying between twenty-five and thirty.
! IL this is not enough capital with VIII CHI
TO do the same kind of business he has
learned, a vOung man should generally
90 to smaller place, where competition
is less and possibilities for his small cap.
ital are greater. New country will show
the openings desired, and progress may
be possible, even rapid progress toward
wealth Perhaps he may have added
somewhat to his savings by few in
vestments during their accumulation.
II may not be bad thing for young
man 10 thus feel his way TO business for
himself by experiments OF this kind.
He may lose; generally it is best that
he should at first. Ii is by losses that
we gain experience aud wisdom. Sue
cess is scarcely teacher; at least it does
not point ont protection against re-
verses Losses make merchant-even
AN embryo merchant and
one loss may be the means Of many
gains, or at least may prevent similar
losses again by the attention thus call
ed to them. Nerve is steadied, aud
when success a.ight cause one to lose
his head and involve himself too deep
ly, losses lead to careful ventures and
smaller profits, but surer gains. Re
member, clerks of to day-you who art
to be the merchants OF near future
close economy, saving disposition
careful scrutiny and mastery OF small
detsils-the curses OF business, most
ambitious youths call them-are thu
ele .lents which alone will give you adj
yancement, bring you capital and MAKE
YOU successful in your ventures, wher
YOU shall launch your own small barEi
ON the great commercial ocean.