Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-04-11
JACKS OCCUPATION.

JACKS OCCUPATION.
ssJack ought to 90 into business, he is
old enough to earn his own living,".said
Jacks friends, and so a family conclave
was held, and Jacks talents, capabili-
ties and possibilities, were canvassed and
thoroughly discussed.
eff his father were living, he would
know exactly what to put him to doing"
sighed Mrs. Brown. 'tHe never has
been fond of his books, and he hates to
hurt even a fly; and then, too, he hasn't
the nerve to be a doctor or a surgeon,
and doesn't take to religion like some
boys, SO l suppose he won't make q
preacher"
81 would take him with me-" said
his Uncle Frank, ''but you know, Sarah,
there is no money in the grocery bust
ness any more, our profits are cut down
so much"
''Take my advice, and keep him out
Of the retail drug store" said another
uncle; '.it is all work and small profit,
nowadays. So much competition, prices
cut down, no chance for a nan to make
more than a bare living"
~"Dry-goods clerk! why a boy of his
age only gets about two dollars a week
for q year or more, and then, perhaps,
gets to be higher than a clerk
with a very small salary" chimcd in q
representative of q dry-goods and no.
ton house.
"How about a trader" asked Mr..
Baker, an old esteemed friend, who had
been asked to give his opinion as to
Jacks future occupation. lit is true"
he continued, she gets nothing at first,
but after awhile it may pay him better
than a profession. Good mechanics are
generally in demand"
"Never had . mechanic in our fam
ily," said jacks sister, an airish young
lady, whose gallant was q young law
yer with a conspicuous sign over his Of
flee door, which had not, so far, an
swered the desired purpose-that of
drawing clients.
"Well," replied Mr.. Baker, s'perhaps
it would he well to make the first ex-
ample in your family, Miss Emily. 1
notice he is very handy with tools; that
bird-house is o neat job for ayoung lad,
and the cottage for the garden around
the Christmas tree would have done
creulL TO m one.'
'.And l made my own sled, and one
for your Bob. too" said Jack; land I
would like to be a carpenter" exclaimed
the boy with his face flushed and eyes
flashing.
$50 much nor genteel to be a mer-
chant or a professional man." said
proud Aunt Jane, whose husband had
made a comfortable living with some
thing laid by each year as a machinist;
but Aunt Jane coaxed him to give I'M
his trade, it was so common, and 90
into the commission business, and Mr..
Miller had had a struggle ever since 10
meet the demands made upon him to
keep up the style betting a merchant.
"Better put him at what will call out
his talents" was the answer to this
statement. Gas for my part, l can not
see Why g. carpenter isn't as oenteel as
anybody else, if he conducts himself
properly. In selecting occupations for
boys he went on to say, sometimes
there are decided talents Shown even in
very early boyhood, which should be
noticed by parents, and, if possible, Gull
tlvated and considered when the time
comes for making choice of an occupa-
ton for the boy; but the AVERAGE how is
like a sealed package, and time and on
Portunltles alone disclose the possibil-
tiles contained therein. In such eases.
the decision Of choosing a business
should be left to the wisdom of the par
ents, or even circumstances often shape
the right course to pursue"
Nonsense" said another hich-toned
IL ''those are such old-fashioned no.
ions. Sarah, make him q merchant or
send him to college, and fit him for a.
preacher. Wouldn't you like to be a
minister, Jack? Much easier work than
driving nails all day."
Better be a good mechanic than O
poor, fourth-rate prcacher.n ansxarod
MIR. Baker. "But ii Jack feels the spirit
moving MN to become a winner of
souls, 1 will give him my blessing and
prayers, and more than that see him
through college; but Jack. nv bow"
and tears stood in the old mans eycs
do not be persuaded to become a min
u living" A'"Ae
And so the talk went on, and no con-
cluslon was arrived at. Mrs. R,nw.n
felt b%ewildered; the conflicting opinions
OF those supposed to have her sons intar,
ests at heart made her more underidnd
than ever. So Mr.. Baker proposed she
and Jack should both pray for wiS7
DON rom above and be guided by that
boys thus is a true story. If INV Of wnn
are IN the same perplexing dihicuitv oo
ana 40 likewise. Use your own 49, -
ment' and, above all. ask from on TH lHi,
ana you will receive it. Jack is . 49,
llVlng boy; he is learning a tr,de n l.ai