The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-08-16
Allan Pinkerton's Advice.

Mr.. Pinkerton-old Allan, as he was
called by his fr.ends-took q 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 gard
en- Of his Monroe street home, which
left lasting impression, and a rep
reduction of which may encourage many
struggling men.
"My youth" said Mr.. Pinkerton,
''was a continuous struggle. knew
but lite of the joys of childhood; my
fate was work. When | was old enough
to see the distinction between right and
wrong-and | think if children arc
properly educated they will soon realize
the dIffe FL obeyed the dictates of
my conscience, and TO that ascribe my
success in life. No matter how many
mptations were paced in my way /
adhered to my principles. In political
matters conscience was my guide
Early in life / enlisted in the cause of
my native country's fScotland) freedom
and when came to the United States |
became red-hot abolitionist. / have
erred many times in my life, but l have
endeavored to right every wrong unwit-
tingly committed.
Many young men have come to me
applying for advice and assistance. My
advice has been the same in every in.
stance. If young man is willing to
work and to lead an honest life he will
be successful. l have given pecunary
assistance to some applicants, and 1
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 principles
"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 I admonished
them to steer clear of counting-rooms
and stores. NY experience has taught
me that clerks of every description are
the most unhappy mortals. 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 appear
ances, while Industrious young me-
ehanics save little money every week
in the year.
MANY young men from the country
are ruined in large cities, and my men
could tell you of scores of prom sing
young gentlemen whose honorable ex-
istence ended at the 5ridewel. They
came to Chicago with the expectation
OF finding work, and being disappointed
they fell into the hands of thieves and
thugs. 1t seems to me that the news
papers of the country should warn
young men against coming to large
cities. vi course, some are successful,
IN n mir l,n 10
fraught with danger.
tY Dung women als) should avoid
large cities. When they arrive from
their country homes they are innocent,
and easily fall victims to the profession
al Washers of the cities. Girls can
earn more money in small towns and
cities. Thousands of Chicago factory
girls and clerks in the dry-goois stores
can not 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
such life is apparent. Look at out
factory girls. Starvation is written upon
their ia es, or if they escape the marks
OF hunger you can notice the marks of
shameful life. / have made several
efforts to induce the newspapers to
call attention to this state of affairs,
but have been only partially success
full" .
The man who gave this timely advice
is now at rest forever; but his words
should be needed by the young people
of our city and State. We have seen
much of the sufferings of strangers in
Chicago and other large cities, and can
answer for the truth of MIR. Pinkerton's
statements. Every year Iowa sends
number of her young men and women
to the large cities, and in nine cases
out of ten they return penniless and
ruined, while at home or in the West
they would become valuable and re-
spected citizens. burlington HaWkeye.