The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-22
Allen Pinkerton'e Advice.

Mr.. Piukerton-old Allen as he was
called by his friends--took a great in.
terest in the welfare of young men, and
we remember conversation with him,
held several years ago under the shade
of noble maple in the beautiful gar
den of his Monroe street home, which
lett lasting impression, and repro
duc,ion of which may encourage many
struggling men,
"My YOUTH" said Mr. Pinkerton,
"was continuous struggle. ! knew
but little Of the joys of childhood my
fate was work. When I was Old
enough to see the distinction between
right and wrong--and think if child
rem arc properly educated they will
soon realize the difference-I obeyed
the dictates of my conscience, and to
that l ascribe my success in life. No
matter how many temptations were
placed in my way l adhered to my
principles. In political matters, con
science was my guide. Early in life |
enlisted in the cause of my native
country's (Scotland) freedom and when
| came to the United States became a
red-bot abolitionist. | have erred many
times in my life, hut have endeavor-
ed to right every wrong unwittingly
committed.
"Many young men come TO me ap-
plying for advice and assistance. MY
advice has been the same in every in
stance. If a young man is willing to
work and to lead an honest life he will
be successful, l have given pecuniary
assistance to some applicants, and l
acted unwisely. A healthy young man
needs no pecuniary assistance from his
friends If he has got the get-up in him
which makes men of sound princi-
pies.
"a number of young men Just start
ing out in life asked me for advice as
to what profession or business they
should enter In every instance ad
monished them to steer clear of count
ing rooms and stores. My experience
has taught me that clerks of every de-
scription are the most unhappy NOR
tails, as they are expected to live and
dress well on small salaries | know
of hundreds of clerks in Chicago who
are compelled to steal and pilfer in
order to keep up appearances, while
industrious young mechanics save a
little money every week in the year.
'Many young men from the coun.
try are ruined in large cities, and my
men could tell you of scores OF promis.
ing young gentleman whose honorable
existence ended at bridewell. They
came to Chicago with the expectation
of finding work, and being disappoint-
ed they fell into the hands of thieves
aud thugs. 1t seems to me that the
newspapers of the country should warn
young men against coming to large
cities. or course, some are successful,
but to the great majority the step is
fraught with danger.
"YOung women also should avoid
large cities. When they arrive from
their country homes they are innocent
and easy fall victims to the profession
al 'mashers' of the cities. Girls car
earn more money in small towns and
cities. Thousands of Chicago factory
girls and clerks in the dry good stores
cannot earn more than five dollars per
week. They have to pay from one to
two dollars room rent per week, which
leaves them balance of three dollars
for board and dress. The result Of
snch a life is apparent. Look at our
factory girls. Starvation is writer
upon their faces, or if they escape the
marks of hunger you can notice the
marks of shameful life. / have made
several efforts to induce the newspa
pers to call attention to this state of af
fairs, but have been only partially sue
cessful."
The man who gave me this timely
advice is now at rest forever but hii
words should be needed by the young
people of our city and state. We have
seen much of the sufferings of stran
gers in Chicago and other large cities
and can answer for the truth of Mr.
Pinkerton's statements. Every veal
Iowa sends a number of her young
men and women to the large cities, an(
in nine cases out of ten they return pen
nlless and ruined, while at home or il
the west they would become valued
and respected Observation-Disclosures
Uaaokeye.