The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-03-03


are more banks than there are people
to support them. Every paper you
pick up is full of bank failures
"And he bowed me out.
81 went back to Mrs. Green and
told her the resnlt
"'We.l,' she said. Mr.. Switzer
ought to know. He has been in the
business thirty years. How would
you like to be druggist p
II told her l would like anything
thing that was a paying business.
She had friend who was a druggist
aud she was positive he wanted a
clerk.
$50 she wrote another note and let
ter of introduction and sent me off
to her druggist friend.
II wsfttsea sseSQef ttYis time, end II
was just as well. The position had
been filled before got there.
"But just as | turned to leave the
store, the proprietor, who was quite
an old man, stopped me and said
young man, don't spend an hour
trying to be a druggist. have been
in the business forty years and |
know what L am talking about.
You've got to work like a slave,
night and Sundays not excepted, and
probably In the end get sued for
damages on account of some careless
prescription clerk. Besides the busi-
ness is Overdone already. You will
find drug store springing up on
every other corner. Take my word
for it there is no money in drugs
THAT night | sat in my room try
ing to Acide which way to turn next
when Charlie Griffin, the fellow who
roomed next to me, dropped in.
"'Got the blues? he asked.
"Yes, 1 have l answered with a
great, deep sigh. I am perfectly
sick of the whole Of it,
$50, pshaw,' he said, in a cheerful
tone that frightened me a little,
there are plenty of chances. You
will get in somewhere. l believe the
book business would just suit you.
Why don't you try that p
"'I hadn't thought ofit,' replied.
"'Well, that will be Just the thing
for you,' he said with great conf
dence. l can help you on that too !!
l am acquainted with man in the
book business and he wants a part
ner. There is your chance. / will
go down with you in the morning
and give you an introduction.'
"Then he ratified on for half an
hour about subscription books and
all other kinds of books. The for
tunes that had been made out of
them and the chances there were for
young men in the business, and |
went to bed with renewed hopes.
"The next morning we went down
to the office. Charlie introduced me
and told the proprietor L wanted to
learn the business.
"Want to learn the book busi-
ness y he exclaimed, as though there
were something terrible in the very
thought. IF you had the experience
l have you would never try handling
books! 1t is the most tantalizing
business on earth. Take new sub.
scriDtion book, for instance. 1t treats
of popular topic and you know
there is money init. The books take,
the agent secures large orders and
everything looks prosperous. But
wait till the delivery comes.-Some
of the subscribers haye changed their
minds, some of Them moved away,
and probably those whom the agent
felt the surest of will have dIptheria
or scarlet fever so that he cant's see
them at all The result Is, two-thirds
of the books come back on your
hands. 1t is the most discouraging
business in existence. | don't want
any partner. l want to sell OUT
"'Do you know of any opening in
any kind of business p
"'No, sir, l don't he replied with
a wild shake of the head. Every
profession and every branch of busi-
ness under the sun is overcrowded |!
There is not even possibility of sue
cess in anything
Charlie went back to his work and
L went back to my boarding house.
"'Mrs. Green l said, in a defiant
tone, will you trust me for my board
for two months =
"'Why, yes, Mr.. Myers, will
trust you,' she replied. What are
you going to do?'
81 am going to open law Office.
1 haye spent my time and money in
fitting myself for profession, and l
propose to follow it and make a liv-
ing out of it,
"That afternoon l rented a small
Office and commenced business for
myself. l have followed the practice