Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-18
BUSINESS AND FUN.

1
1t is often said, and it is quite true, that
Business is Business" (when it is) and
that Fun" of the right sort is Fun, and
that Business ought always to be business,
squsrely and honestly, and that Fun ought
to be genuine and hearty. But there
seems to be an impression which is almost
if not quite universal that the two institu-
tions are inimical: that Business ought to
be earnest and solemn, with no Fun in it,
and that there ought to be no Business in
Fun, except, perhaps, on the stage. But,
really, there is no reason why there should
not be good deal OF fun in business. II
business is honest and straight and of
wholesome nature, there ought to be
| good deal of satisfaction and some
merriment in conducting it. Business Of
this sort is beneficial to community and
the man who conducts it is, therefore
public benefactor. If this is true, and it
is, why should the man who conducts it
60 mourning and growing all his days2
Business at best is somewhat trying and
wearing, but if carried on in solemn,
cherries way it is always especially hard
upon the nervous system. Cheerfullness
and humor-good spirits-brighten up
business, afford needed relaxation and lu-
bricate the details, so that what, in other
circumstances, would be dry if not an
noying, is really enjoyable.
One notion about trading-another
Rame for business--is that two par
ties come together to squeeze
each other until each has
extracted all the juice from the other; to
cut, and chisel and cheat. This, as
matter of course, is serious, solemn
business-there is no fun in this for the |
man who gets the worst of it, and none |
for the man who knows that he has cheat
ed his neighbor.
Indeed, there ought to be more in busi-
ness than mere money-getting, than the
idea of the accumulation OF wealth, by
methods that show no care for the welfare
Of community or the rights Of individuals
Such business may be successful after
sort; the men who conduct it may get
'ich, bat they will have mighty little fun
md that not of the right sort-and, there
ore, will have little genuine satisfaction.
That is to say, business OF that sort may
'e remunerative. in one sense (cents) but
eally does not pay.
The men who are honest, and generous,
nd are willing that other people should
'e allowed to live and prosper while they
i've; who are cheerful and Jolly, and who
make honest trading a source of enjoy
1ent; who greet their customers as friends,
nd treat them and hold them as such;
,ese are the men who make money and
njoy themselves at one and the same
me. They keep their hearts pure and
arm and their minds clear and brisk,
nd preserve, intact and in good working
der, their nervous systems; and-other
ings being granddaughter out their
yes until they reach green, vigorous
I'd enjoyable old age. This is the sort OF
e that pays-it pays the man who leads I
and all the people with whom he comes !
contact and has to do, and no other !
nd of business lie Goes paw. The /.
'wer to create and the capacity to appre- .
ate fun are the gifts OF God, and should t
made available by all men who wish 10
axe the most Of this life. if not to make
sier the pathway to better life here
ter. And this is point for preachers q
d doctors, as well ..s .or merchants and ci
aer tradesmen. - -