Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-15
AN INDUSTRIOUS BOY.

| Tho Success Which Crowned His Savink
Habits, Ills Honesty and Devotion to
Isusinesk-
Last week. in Philadelphia, Pa, the
semi-centennial anniversary of the en-
trance of Mr.. Edward o. Knight into
business was celebrated. Mr.. Knight
began his business career as an errand
boy. on a salary of two dollars per
week, and saved something every
week, and while still a very young man
opened grocery store with a capital
of two hundred dollars saved from his
earnings. Two things, certainly, Mr..
Knight did as boy. He kept his eyes
open, and learned every thing he
possibly could learn about the business;
he did not waste any money. 1t is not
at all probable that he bought cigar
cites, or owned innumerable ncckties,
or were large brass rings or pins, or
drank many glasses of soda water.
Another thing. 1t is not ut all likely
that he got to the Office five to fifteen
minutes late three mornings in the
week. or just got inside the door every
morning at the last possible minute. He
was there on time, and had risen early
enough in the morning to reach bust
| ness neatly and carefully dressed, and
ready to commence the duties at once.
1t is not at all likely that he watched
the'face OF the clock the last half-hour
OF the day, doing the work that came
to him in a half-hearted spirit, or as
boy of eighteen, a stock clerk. did to
the writer during the last week. The
large store where he is employed
closes at six p. III. A customer hur-
ricd in to purchase goods to match
some purchased week before. The
stock clerk was asked by the salesman
for the goods, and answered in the
most nOnchalant manner: ''AI gone"
what! why, there was roll Of it
yesterday" All sold.'' But the
salesman hurried along the line of
goods three or four times, saying, in a
puzzling tone: It's very strange"
The stock clerk said nothing, but
stood frowning at the clock. - Why,
yes, of course, here it isl and the
salesman tumblcd large roll to the
floor. A flush of shame passed over
the stock clerks face. and he turned
his back. He knew he had stolen
nearly fifteen minutes of his employ
er's time, and wasted that much of the
customers, rather than disturb the
stock, which was in good order. That
Young man will be clerk all his life.
He does not attend to business in
business-like spirit.
Another thing: Mr.. Knight never rea-
soned in this way: s'l'm not going to
kill myself. He only pays me two dol
lars wees. am not going to kill
myself for that. If he wants me to
work harder just let him pay me more
money" Foolish boy! Do you suppose
that a boy who does two dollars worth
of work is going to be paid three dol
lars for doing it? No! When you want
three dollars week, do five dollars
worth of work. Remember that your
employer expects to make profit ON
your labor. He buys your time, and
every minute of the working hours be-
longs to him.
Another thing: When Mr.. Knight
was boy. he must have watched the
business methods about him, and re-
ceivcd many valuable hints that en-
abled him to transact his own business
intelligently. If boys would only re-
member that their entrance into bust
ness is an entrance into new school,
they would learn very much more than
they do.
Mr.. knight says: II cautioned my
clerks to give good weight, and always
represented goods as they were. Honor
is Indispensable in mercantile life.
In fifty years ! have signed every note
sent out by this house" Honesty and
devotion to business-two indispen-
sable foundation stones to q successful
business life.
To-day Mr.. Knight is rated among
the millionaires of Philadelphia Re
member. he began as poor boy on q
salary of two dollars per week. Carts
fi0n Union