The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-20
SHORT TALKS WITH THE BOYS.
IN. Quad, in Detroit Free Press.l

or profession, but l have a little money laid up. What can l go into to make my living? ?"
 If one were able to answer that ques- ton in satisfactory manner he could put great many minds at rest. There is not only no chance for all the boys in this country to learn trades CT profes- sions, but there must be many who natur- ally turn to other things.
 A boy who has no desire or opportu- nity to learn trade or select a pro- fession may secure fair situation at many other things. All retail dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, books and stationery, confec- tionery, etc, must have clerks, and all wholesale houses must have saiesmen on the road and in the store. The number of men and boys employed in the United States is legion. There is an opening in wholesale stores for boys from IS to IS years of age, and although they must ac- cept low wages at the start there is every opportunity for advancement. In mos, of the wholesale houses of to-day the majority of the salesmen, and in many cases all the members of the firm, began at the lowest round of the ladder and worked their way up.
 In the retail business there is not the chance for advancement, nor are the salaries so large. A boy who is taken into store at s or $4 per week may in time make his services worth from SIo to SIG. In the dry goods trade, in cities, clerks of long experience in the sale of finer goods-such as faces, silks and velvets-may receive S2o per week, but it is rare that any higher salary is paid The boy who intends to make bis living as salesman must realize at the very outset that to meet with success he must be strictly honest, full of industry. and cultivate large stock of courtesy and patience.
 The railroad business offers situations to thousands of men who are barred out ot trades aRd professions, and many of the situations are open to boys. In the freight and passenger departments a boy lucky enough to secure place is well started on his career in life. If he is the right sort of boy he may look for ad- vancement every year until he drops into place well worth striving for. Eight years ago lad entered the freight office of the Michigan Central railroad in Detroit at S. 50 per week, acting as messenger. To-day he is the chief of department and in receipt of salary of so per month, and his case is by no means an isolated one.
 Every railroad line gives employment to conductors, baggage men. brakemen. station agents, freight handlers, car painters, ticket sellers, track repairers and ot~ CTS. Steamboat lines Likewise give employment to an army of men who have no trade to learn.
 But what business can a boy with few hundred dollars establish himself in was the question asked. More depends on the boy than on the amount of his capital, and the times aud location will exercise considerable influence on his failure CT success. l know of half dozen boys under 20 years of age In the news and stationery business, and all be- gan with small capital. To start in this business a boy should at least have fair education, writing good hand and being reasonably quick at figures. One hundred dollars will make quite dis play in papers and cheap stationery. In most cases boy with that much capital would have at least two or th:ee friends who would back his cred.s for a few months, and he would have no trouble in securing from S2oo to $500 worth of goods by paying SIoo down.
 The small stationer generally carries several lines of cigars or more or less confectionery, and, if his location is good, he g'ill grow into a fair business. The news business used to be all trust but of late years it is nearly all cash. Daily papers are either paid for over the counter or settlement is made once per week. Certain magazines, illustrated pa- pers and novels must be paid for when received others are sent on order, and if not sold within certain length of time can be returned to the publishers. Respon- sible parties can get three months credit on strict stationery, and time is also given on cigars and candies.
 In smart town there is money in cigars and tobacco, and it does not take great deal of cash to make a start. A Young man thinking of making this his business would save money by giving three months of his time to some old to- bacconist. There are great many little kinks and twists in the tobacco trade which it would be well to learn before in- vesting capital.
 Another light and nearly always profta- ble business is rhai of confectionery, and 1t can also De started on a small capital. Here, too, one would do well to secure experience in ar established house. A confectioner a,1st make the bulk of his candies to make any money, and as an ice cream rarlor has become a recognized attachment he must know all about ice cream.
 There is still another light and easy business which can be managed by boy having ittie capital. It is that of pie ture framing, but the boy who has no skill with tools can make no money out of it. There is hardly a village in the country without its picture framer, and cities the size of Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo support scores of them. The frames are now made entirely by large manufacturing companies, and are bought by the foot. A boy who can handle saw, rule and miter-box. can do