The National tribune., 1884-04-17
LOYAL W0MBN'S WORK
Household Talks Our Experience
Meeting---Relief Corps Work.
conducted b. KATE B. sHerloood.I

Reverting once more to the subject of what
boy should do to become a success in the
world we should say: Be thorough and do not
despise the day Of small things. This is the
great lesson TO be learned by our American
boys and its neglect is already proving a Sc
rious obstacle TO true snccess in the labor marts
of this country.
The American manufacturer is obliged to 30
to Europe for skilled workmen, not because he
can get better work for lower wages since even
the poor Chnaman very soon learns to put the
price current upon his labor, but because he
gets better work for the same money, and that
more cheerfally performed. Our American
boys are aYerSe TO the drudgery and subjec-
lion of apprenticeship. They work a little at
this and little at that and little at the
other thing. They get the rudiments of
trade, and taking up their gripsaek start to a
distant town, or city, set up for skilled work
men, bungle their job, whatever it may be, get
discharged and discouraged, go off on tramp
take TO drink and wind up at the police station
There should be such a revolution IN our ed
ueational system as would supply the ranks of
skilled labor from our own homes and firesides
If boy is put to a trade there should be some
obligation given TO the employer by parent, or
guardian, that he viii stay his time out, and
some concerted action among employers that
they viii employ only those who have some
honorable certificate that their trade has been
fully learned. And, more than all, parents
should see to it that their sons take UP some
steady pursuit, which trains the hand and the
eye, and develops an aptitude with fingers, and
tools. and brains, such as hpckstering wares
and keeping books would hold forever in en-
bryo.
In Germany every boy. from the Emperor's
son 10 the poorest peasant, learns trade. lie
is thenceforth an independent man. It deyel-
1ae c4-.
ems his shoulders, makes him a hero in battle
as well as a Vulcan at the forge In France,
besides giving their entire time for years to
their employers, a high price is paid by appli-
cants for the privilege of learning certain
trades. This devotion TO sturdy, steady pur-
suits is what distinguishes these two thrifty
countries among the industrial nations of the
world. Upon this rock bottom America must
plant her feet, if she would become rs renowned
for industrial supremacy as for enterprise in
yolvlng adventure and conquest.
The rewards Of skilled labor are apparent at
glance. One need not go about in broad day
light with lanterll-as the old Pagan pllilos-
opher did, Vainly seeking an honest man-to
find his hiding place. Such man is always
in demand. Work may flag for others, but he
has always more than he can do. His thoughts
fow out at his finger ends and his steady at
tention to the work IN hand leads to a hundred
Improvements N methods and designs. Look
at the glOye-maker, who has made his millions
on a bit Of string, two or three inches long,
simple device for a glove-fastener that the
whole manufacturing world is running after.
For several years past the writer has been
watching the course Of printer boys, or DEVILS
to use the nomenclature Of the newspaper Office.
Boy number one: Entered at thirteen; very
prompt and bright at first; learned rapidly at
the case. Did little as possible about the Office
Complaint from his mother that he staid out
nights. Came In sullen in the morning. Skipped
has case at the end of the first year. Since then
has been rowing about from Office to Office,
picking up odd jobs, and earning about half
the amount of a fair average printer.
Boy number two: Entered Al fourteen: did his
work well as general errand and utility boy
Grew rapidly, and got above his business. At
sixteen was seen On the streets at MONDAY,
reeling with some tramp printers. Lost his
situation. Is doing piece work in second-class
Offices, damned by the proof-reader and docked
by the foreman.
Boy number three: Entered at thirteen
quiet, faithful, eager TO learn. Wages increased
every six months Promoted To case. Sets
manuscript ike veteran printer. Congratulate
ed by his employer, apd has tlSorospect of
foremanship. and something better still In view.
lii is manly aud profitable to drudge, since
drudgery leads TO honor and reward.
woMAN's EXCHANGE.
Considerable space is given up this week to
Relief Corps work. Some good old war songs,
very popular twenty years ago, viii be given
space as we have room for them.
BY our Fort Scott letter it viii be seen that
Sarah Seeley, who served three years in the
Union army disguised as Frank Thompson.
and who has just been granted pension by
Congress, after having been relieved of the
charge Of desertion, is a member Of William
h Lytle Relief Corps Mrs. Seeley deserted
when quite III. near the expiration of her term
Of service rather than 90 10 the hospital, where
she had been ordered, and run the risk Of hav-
ing her sex detected.
Stanley Miller: See Oliver Ditson's adver-
tisement of soldier songs in NATIONAL TRIB-
UEE.
N. B. RI Murdock, Mimi, who asks for an
appropriate motto for an autograph album, can
have her choice in the following, in addition to
any heretofore given il The TRIBUNE.
l. To NJ BR:
There's a flower to friendship dear,
Borne betwixt smile and tear;
Pure, though lowiy. is lis lot
lis the sweet Forget -Tne-Ilot
Matte Marshall, Golden, Colo.
?. ToMB.R:
O, be not the frst 10 discover
A blot IL the fame Of q friend
4 flaw IN the faith OF a lover
" nose Dt-4ft may prove true TO the end;
We none OF us know one another,
And Oft into error may fall
Then let rs speak well of our brother,
Or speak moi about him al all
Saddle Miller, Glasgow.
3. ToMBR:
Our lives albums, written through
With good i'll with false or true;
And as the blessed angels turn
The pages Of our years,
God grant they read the good with smiles,
And blot the bad with tears.
Maud CTocker, oswego, \. Z.
would like to exchange my book. 's Capturing
a Locomotive" Tor a dictionary. think the book
a splendid account OF the daring and suffering OF
our soldiers ] had two uncles IN the war one OF
whom was disabled in the service.-W. 9. Waters,
4 New Garden, Ohio.
/ Comrade II. o. Dodge, late of company 7, Sth
1 Illinois cavalry, commander, Nathanial Lyon
Post, Boulder, Colo, has our thanks for fayors
/ also, Comrade Joseph b. Teas, company III, Isl
Iowa cavalry, Charlton, Iowa, and Comrade
James Draper. Hamilton, Ky.
IT is the aim Of THE NATIONAL. TRIBUNE 10
4 give, as far possible, an epitome of loyal
woman's work IN all its relations TO the G. A.
T., and we again request the auxiliaries whether
working under the National Order or as in
dependent organizations, to forward items OF
/ interest for publication in these columns, II
gives us pleasure in this connection to state
| that Mrs. Laura MeNier, president Loyal
Ladies League, Department Of New Jersey is
arranging TO forward reports from the various
branches Of that Order, which she reports a:
fourishing and doing noble work.