Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-28
CHOOSING AN OCCUPATION.

Jack ought To 90 into business, he is |
old enough to earn his own living" said |
Jacks friends, and so family conclave |
was held, and Jacks talents, capabili-
tics and possibilities, were canvassed and |
thoroughly discussed.
IF his father were living, he would
know exactly what to put him to doing"
sighed Mrs. Brown. '.He never has |
been fond of his books, and he hates to
hurt even fly; and then, too, he hasn't |
the nerve to be a doctor or surgeon.
and doesn't take to religion like some
boys, so | suppose he won't make
preacher"
II 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"
.'Robacconist! No, don't think of
that; duties on both imported and home
manufactured articles in our business
have ruined us. Men did, at one time,
make fortunes in cigar-making, but that
day is past" said handsome Cousin
Steve, who deals in the weed, and to
Judge by his style of dress certainly
makes money somehow.
Take my advice, and keep him out
of the retail drug store" said another
uncle; lit is all work and small profit,
nowadays. So much competition, prices
cut down, no chance for a man to make
more than bare living"
'Dry-goods clerk! why boy of his
age only gets about two dollars week
for year or more, and then, perhaps,
never gets to be higher than clerk
with very small salary" chimed in
representative of dry-goods and no
ton house.
"How about a trade?" asked Mr.
Baker, an old esteemed friend, who had
been asked to give his opinion as to
Jacks future occupation. at is true"
he continued, che gets nothing at first,
but after awhile it may pay him better
than profession. Good mechanics are
generally in demand"
'.Never had mechanic in our fam
ily," said Jacks sister, an airish young
lady, whose gallant was young law
yer with 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. perhaps
it would be well to make the first ex-
ample in your family, Miss Emily l
notice he is very handy with tools; that
bird-house is neat job for a young lad,
and the cottage for the garden around
the Christmas tree would have done
credit to any one"
And | made my own sled, and one
for your Bob. too" said Jack; land l
would like to be a carpenter" exclaimed
the boy with his face flushed and eyes
flashing.
80 much more genteel to be a mer-
chant or a professional man." said
proud Aunt Jane. whose husband had
made comfortable living with some
thing laid by each year as machinist;
but Aunt Jane coaXed him to give up
his trade, it was so common, and 90
into the commission business. and Mr.
Miller had had a struggle ever since to
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. "As for my part, / can not
see why q carpenter isn't as genteel 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, cul-
tivated and considered when the time
comes for making choice of an occupa-
ton for the boy; but the average boy is
like sealed package, and time and OPP
portunities alone disclose the possibil-
tiles contained therein. In such cases,
the decision of choosing a business
should be left to the wisdom of the par
cnts, or even circumstances often shape
the right course TO pursue"
Nonsense" said another heightened
aunt: ''those are such old-sashioned no.
tons Sarah. make him a merchant or
send him to college, and fit him for a
preacher. Wouldn't you like to be
minister, Jack? Much easier work than
driving nails all day.
Better be good mechanic than
poor, fourth-rate preacher" answered
Mr.. Baker. but ii Jack feels the spirit
moving him to become a winner of
souls, will give him my blessing and
prayers, and more than that see him
through college; but Jack, my boy"
and tears stood in the old mans eyes,
''do not be persuaded to become a min
ister because it is an easy way to make
. living
And so the talk went on. and no con-
clusion was arrived at. Mrs. Brown
felt bewildered; the conflicting opinions
of those supposed to have her sons inter-
ests at heart made her more undecided
than ever. So Mr.. Baker proposed she
and Jack should both pray for wis
dom from above and be guided by that.
Boys, this is true story. II any of you
are in the same perplexing difficulty go
and do likewise. Use your own judg-
ment, and above all. ask from ON High
and you will receive it. Jack is a real
living boy; he is learning trade now,
and hopes sometime to build himself
house, and he is such nice, gentleman
ly young carpenter that every one re-
spects him. Even his naughty Aunt
Jane feels proud of him, and thinks
no company given by her complete I'M
less Jack is one of the number-Louise