Morris tribune., 1882-02-09
WANTED-A SITUATION.

Been wanting it long?" asked my friend,
not glancing up from his writing so much
as to look the inquirer in the face. But
then, could have told the applicant, who
stood cap in hand, that my friend was very
busy that morning, for he had not vet found
time to do more than shake hands even
with me, his best friend. So he murmured,
in cold, heartless way:
Been wanting it long?"
The young fellow answered, very des-
pondently:
Yes, sir. Have been wanting some
thing to do-wanting place, sir,-for four
months"
-Four months, yes. Wanting q place
four months and can't find a place to work"
Still looking down at his desk full of pa
pers. And have been looking for place
to rest for four years." This last dreamily,
as if to himself. Then, suddenly and
somewhat severely, my friend, the great
merchant, wheeled clear round in his chair,
dashed his handful Of papers down, and
exclaimed to the young man.
Strange, now, isn't it? You and I, two
human creatures on this earth, ten or if
teen years difference in our ages. I am
worked to death. I cannot 90 into The
streets but some one button n-holes me with
work, burdens, and errands. I seem to be
in great demand by my fellow creatures.
cannot get time to eat nor sleep. You on,
the contrary, have plenty of time to eat
and sleep, but no money to buy bread or
bed. Strange, isn't it2 You 60 and come
along the street, and no one lays hold on
you, asking you to to do this or undertake
that for him. But you even attempt to 10y
hold on others, asking the privilege of SER
wing them IN some way, and for four months
everybody has said no to you. You are
not wanted. You do not seem necessary to
any human creature but yourself. 1t must
be delightful sensation, this not being
wanted by any one. I'd give ten thousand
dollars, my young friend, if nobody would
want" me for the next year. So would
my wife and family; as it is now, cannot
sit down to my slippers and easy chair,
evenings, but the door-b bell must ring; an.
the wife and children scatter while some
fellow gets what he wants out of me. You
could, I suppose" said my friend with
twinkle in his eye, sit all the evening at
your tireside, and with your books, in the
the luxurious bosom of your family?"
eyes, sir, answered the applicant for
place; could if had them"
Gould find time to visit the opera, art
reception, and travel2"
Yes, sir, it l could find money"
telean n99Pedy 81 YOU'D yS f2l9E yog Up With
aside in the church vestibule, greatly want
ing you"
"No, sir; no one seems to want me. I've
been offering myself. almost for nothing,
these four months, said the young fellow,
smiling in spite Of himself at the turn the
conversation had taken:
kr co; inn Sfro,,
nv friend, the overworked business man,
went on to remark. about the same stat
ure-you stronger than I, if anything
about the same natural gifts-and fifteen
years ago ! was about the same age and in
abont the same position that youare to- day.
Do you really think that you want to get in
to about the same position that occupy to-
day?"
"Well I'd like to see such chance, /" was
the reply.
s'Think well," said the merchant. II
could go to Europe, SO far as the money is
concerned. Icould eat the costliest viands,
and pay for them. I could dress like
pasha-if nobody wanted me; for never
want now for money"
"That's excellent" exclaimed the penni-
less applicant. Tell me how to be what
you are.
cit is easy. Don't ask another human
being for q place, but make q place for
Yourself. Simpler Seek no man for situa-
ton, but make situation for yourself.
Let this whole hedgehog city go TO grass
with it's stingy places and 'situations;' you
don't want one Of them. Confounded
ohurls that We are, kicking you from door
to door, as if you were dog; turn your
back on tls all, and tell Us to Keep our
places and be blessedi Tell us to mind
our own business, and take care of our
selves; and you will do the same. Slam
bang my door as you go out of here to- day,
and resolve in your heart that within ten
years, you will produce something that I
cannot get along without, but must seek
you for it, Then make me pay we'll for
turning you off to-day. That's the way
do. Why, my boy, have lived to make
many an old firm smart for its contemptu-
GUS looks at me when was where you are.
have lived to make them see what fools
they were, when they were SO blind to my
merits. Sees" And my friend got up from
his chair and playfully poked his young
visitor in the sides.
THAT is very easy to say, sir, responded
the latter.
'sBut not SO easy to dor You are mis-
taken. Sit down now and think what the
world wants. There are millions of wants
for choice. Pick up some one Of these
wants, and resolve to try and satisfy it. The
world wants happiness; wants to make
money; wants shoes and sugar. Can you
satisfy any of these wants2 I would go
down to Washington Market, buy basket
Of fish-the world wants fish-and sell them
at profit. Then you have your own place.
You are not dependent on anybody. I'll
loan on the price of basket and fill IL
once with fish, if you need. After that,
snap your fingers at the world ;.only pay me
my loan.'
It was oil true. situations are the
most uncertain things. They are salaried
employments; and there is little hope Of
promotion into anything like independency.
You depend, for their keeping, on the good
will of fiokle employer, who may displace
you to-m morrow in fit Of anger, economy,
or to make room for his cousin. Thou
sands of other men are as capable OF filling
these places as you are, and are willing to
underbid you for them. If you make
business of your own, however small, yours
it is. To fail in it, is yet to go down on
your own quarter deck. sword in hand.
And is it not most true that every one oi
these concerns, to whom you and make
application for ''place, was originatedb,
some brave, independent fellow, who pre-
ferred to be master for penny to serving
for poundp Ha man can produce wha
the world wants, the world wants him. Tt
be sure, there must always be ''hewers o
wood and drawers Of water" There mus
always be men who can be employees, ant
are content Herewith. But, you, reader
are perhaps Of boider make-up. At On!
rate, you do not now succeed in getting en-
ployment by others. Why not, then, tr.
the fish-basketP Why not make business
Of your own, commencing at the foot OF thu
hill2 The pinchings OF severe economy