The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-01
A GRAIN OF SENSE.
[Peek,s Sun,

OClduSC fu6n may OG IUItunate OI unfortunate enough to have a title, or rather, be numbered among the nobility, t is no proof that be is a fool or swell headed, as seems to be the general opin- ion of large number of Americans. A man may be afflicted with that unconta- gious disease known as corzmon sense, even if he has title, as is proven by the remarks of a member of the English mo- bility, who, upon being questioned as to his reasons for apprenticing his son 10 a trade replied "Of course, he has to work at the bench and go out on jobs, but he is happy and his time is well em- ployed. When he Is twenty-one he will have become master of his trade, and, being an educated lad and sharp to boot, very few pounds would start him in one of the colonies on tne high road 10 competency. The silly pride fparents," sons success in lite.
 That English lords act is the best act ever set for Americans, who love to mimic the nobility, to follow. There is some thing practical in II. He has done more good for his son in putting him to trade than to have raised him in idleness, wait ing for fortune. By giving that boy trade, he has given hlm independence and self-reliance. The boy may never work at his trade after he has learned 1t, but while learning it he has also learned the value of dollar, and what IS more valuable, he has learned to be seifreliant. The latter lesson is too much neglected in this day and gener- ation, not only as it relates to boys and young men, but to girls and young wo- men also.
 Speaking of young women and girls, calls to mind the conversation of a Bos- ton gentleman interested in manufaciur- ing. Said he: What we need is con- centrati. n of energy, and application of It in the right direction" The person who spoke IS manufacturer of art furni- iure, and il was by mere accident that he took, as an illustration, the example oi his forewoman in the embroidery room. She is stout German-American girl, with heavy face and dumpy figure. She always attends to business. l have known her ever since she was a young girl doing embroidery work for an up- town firm. We used to send her extra pieces to do, and she finally came to us altogether, because we paid her better She has been in demand, personally sought after by employers ever since she began, for she spends her whole strength Tn her work. Her dress is extremely plain, and she does not care for gayeties. She has no ruinous diversion of interest to prevent her from attending to the matters of first importance.
 .On fhe pthar h md f ha rnrt,pnaJ have, of and on, in our embroidery room, pretty girl who will never amount to anything. Her ideas of life are misshapen. She is clever enough embroideress, but she works half-heart- edly, and only when she feels inclined She won't undertake this piece. and says she can't do that. She is always asking favors and doing little irregularities that are harmless enough, but disturbing to business. Her one ambition is dress She really Is, in her way, ladylike per son. She iS neat and clothes herself in good taste. with no display, bu, in style tar above her condition Tn life. Not a .ady does she see Tn the street but she looks al her dress and manners, and even listens to her speech, to see what she can pick up to improve herself The resu; Is, the poor girl has cultivated sensibili- ties which make i, unlikely that she will ever be con'ented with any home ,ha, might be offered her, and she has no strong-minded aspirations to independ- ent prosperity. By devo,ing her energy to unproduotive channels, the girl has made herself useless and unhappy She Is net thinking how her work appears, but how she appears, and tries to gain admiration, and ingratia,e herself per sonally, when what we want from her, Is not pretty manners, but a good piece of embroidery"
 Here then are two very important points for the consideration of parents and guardians. The rising generation may as well learn first as las, that we have got to work for all we get iK this world. Dimes do not grow on bushes, neither do we pave our streets with gold as they do in the New Jerusalem, but every cen, acquired must be obtained by hard work and the only question to be settled is: to wha, is our capacity and abilities especially adapted! and ,ha, question must be answered by other than ha,tery or eonceit as to our very brillian, attainments.