Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-09-23
THE RULES OF TRADE.
Shrew1 Hints by Which Young Shopkeep-
May Profit To-day.

ers May Profit To-day.
/ present some maxims that were
rigidly followed in my young days, and
which could be observed with the ut
most profit by those youths of the
present day who are intended for
trade. They were written by a man
who attained great renown and was
held in the greatest esteem by his fell
low citizens of % London, so that he
finally received the high honor of being
knighted by the king:
GOLDEN RULES FOR YOUNG SHOP
KEEPERS.
1. Take your shop door off the
hinges at seven o'clock every morning
that no obstruction may be opposed to
your customers.
2. Clean and set out your windows
before seven o'clock, and do this with
your own hands, that you may expose
for sale the articles which are most
salable and which you most want to
sell.
3. Wear an apron, if such be the
badge of your business, and consider it
as badge of distinction, which will
procure you respect and credit.
4. Apply your first return of ready
money to pay debts before they are
due, and give such transactions suit
able emphasis by claiming discount.
5. Always be found at home and in
some way employed, and remember
that your meddling neighbors have
their eyes upon you, and are constantly
gauging you by your appearances.
6. Re-weigh and re-measure all your
stock rather than let it be supposed
you have nothing to do.
Z. Keep some articles cheap that you
may draw customers and enlarge your
intercourse.
8, Keep up the exact quality or flavor
of all articles which you find are APP
proved of by your customers, and by
this means you will enjoy their prefer
ence.
9 Buy for ready money as often as
you nave any to spare; and when you
take credit pay to day, and unasked.
10. No advantage will ever arise to
you from any ostentatious display of
expenditures.
II. Beware of the odds and ends of a
stock of remnants, of spoiled goods
and of waste, for it is in such things
that your profits lie.
y. In serving your customers be
firm and obliging, and never lose your
temper, for nothing is got by it.
Ii. Always be seen at church or
chapel on Sunday; never at a gaming
table, and seldom at the theaters or at
places of amusement.
IA. Prefer a prudent and discreet to
a rich and snowy wife.
10. Spend your evenings by your
own fireside, and shun public house
or scottish club as you would bad
debt.
16. Take stock every year, estimate
your profits, and do not spend above
one-fourth.
II. Avoid the common folly of ex-
pending your precious capital upon a
costly architectural front; such things
operate on the world like paint upon a
woman's cheek-repelling beholders
instead of attracting them.
Is. Every pound wasted by a young
tradesman is two pounds at the end of
three years and two hundred and fifty
six pounds at the end of twenty-four
years.
10. Remember that prudent pur-
chasers avoid the shop of an extrava-
giant and ostentatious trader, for they
justly consider that if they deal with
him they must contribute to his follies.
20. Let these be your rules till you
have realized your stock and till you
can take discount for prompt payment
on all purchases, and you may then in
dulge in any degree which your habits
and sense Of prudence ggest.-Riclt-
ard Ferguson, 51o haqZeSide.