The Brookhaven leader., 1884-03-27
JACKS OCCUPATION.

old enough to earn his own living" said
Jacks friends, and so family conclave
was held, and Jacks talents, capabili-
ties and possibilities, were canyassed and
thoroughly scussed.
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 doctor or a surgeon.
and doesn't take TO religion like some
boys, SO l suppose he won't make a
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
50 much"
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 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 a
representative of dry-goods and no
tion 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. ut is true,
nc continued, che gets nothing at first,
but afte2 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 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, ''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 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
woud like to be carpenter, exclaimed
the boy with his face flushed and eyes
flashing.
80 much more genteel to be mer-
chant or q professional man. said
proud Aunt Jane, whose husband had
made a 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 go
into the commission business, and MIR.
Miller had had a struggle ever since to
meet the demands made upon him to
keep up the style befitting 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 e. carpenter isn't as genteel as
anybody else, if he conducts himself
properly. In selecting occupations for
bows" 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 Op-
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
ents, or even circumstances often shape
the right course to pursue"
Nonsense, said another high-toned
aunt: ''those are such old-fashiOned no
tions. Sarah. make him merchant or
send him to college. and fit him for a
preacher. Wouldn't you like to be n
minister, Jack? Much easier work than
driving nails all day."
Better be good mechanic than a
poor, fourth-rate preacher" answered
Mr.. Baker. "But il Jack feels the spirit
moving him to become 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
lister because it is an easy way to make
a 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. If any of you
are in the same perplexing difficulty &C
and do likewise. Use YOUR own iudg-