The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-12-13
OUR BOYS.
Getting on" In the World

Getting on" In the World
LII. G. Brown In Home Journal
Granting that boy starts out with good
health, good morals and ambition to be some
body, l see DO reason why he should not at
tain almost any position to which he may
aspire.
That some boys achieve the goal of there
desires with more rapidity than others, can
not be denied, and 1t Is to consideration of
these qualities which have helped them
there, would direct your special attention.
To begin with regard punctuality as Of
prime importance. Oh, how do appreciate
a boy who Is always on time! How quick
you learn to depend on him. and how soon
you find yourself entrustiDg him with
weightier mattersl The boy who has ae-
quired reputation for punctuality has made
the first contribution to the capital that in
after years makes his success certainty.
The next thing that interests me most Is a
boys habit of doing his work in way that
betokens an intelligent appreciation Of the
situation. Nothing digsusts me more than
to see work done In such fashion that no
sane man can understand how II came to be
done that way. Undoubtedly errors will oc.
cur. and instructions be misunderstood. But
even then there Is an intelligent way Of
laundering. 1t is easy In these cases to see
how the error occurred, but a mistake that is
unacceuntable on any common-sense basis
whatever. is very discourasing and dis
stroys confidence. Carefulness Is the only
way to avoid complications OF this kind and
every boy should bear In mind that want
of care does more harm than want Of knowl-
edge"
The next thing that has great deal to do
with the marring or making OF boys
career Is Deportment-and with department
l would also include Dress. A boy is to a
great extent. a man on trial, and first impress
sions are lasting. Ii he goes to the store In
an untidy condition be simply handicaps
himself so much. IL be chews, smokes Gig
arettes and reads trashy papers, he must be
an extraordinary smart boy who can counter
act the depressing influence of these unbusi-
ness-like attributes. Misfortunes never
come singly, and boy OF this stamp Is also
usually profane and slangy.
III, on the other hand, he always appears
neat, If his clothes and shoes are always
well brushed and mis- collar clean, 1t Is not
only sign that he respects his employer,
pects himself.
Such boy is usually polite and courteous
In his intercourse with those about him, and
you can judge for yourself the effect Of this
Oh BUSINESS uon. IL CANNOT Do OVerStlmated.
A habit that Is well To form at this juno
ture, Is Saving. 1t isn't likely that the
amount boy can save at first will be very
great, but the principle Of saving once incul-
Gated will last forever. No mother having
the welfare of her boy at heart will ever al
low him to neglect this important duty. Not
merely for the sake of gain. but as wise and
desirable means to an end, for men grow
rich not on what they earn, but on what they
save. Some books that will be helpful in this
hof aau fofl IN do n. hon
world Of good, are Smiles SELF Help"
Smiles Thrift" and James Platts' "Busi-
ness" this book has gone through seventy
five editions in England; the same author
has written several other books that bear d.
rectly on kindred subjects, and will be
found helpful-"M0ney," and Economy"
are specially TO be noted.
In conclusion let me say a word about that
most overrated Of all Observation-Disclosures. l
often hear It said .Oh yes, he'll get along;
he's got influence" Don't you worry about
that influence. In every department Of hu-
man life there is an urgent demand for boys
OF ability for boys who grasp the situation
for motive power that drives the business.
1t isn't policy for q firm to keep down a boy
Of that sort; IL isn't good business and they
don't do 1t All this talk about influence is
sheer nonsense. What business man wants
is the best POSSIBLE service he can get; all
other considerations are secondary.
III you are troubled now because some big
customer Of the house has son right above
you, don't worry but work. Nothing counts
Ike downright good, honest, hard work.
Everything gives way before 1t. A few
years ago great high building on Brord-
way, New York. marked the home of a
house that was known the world over; but
the workers In the firm all died, and the
great house went down! The second gener-
alton didn't know how to work.
Business Is business, boys, md there Is no
sentimentin 1t. Just you go right ahead
where you are. Be honest and be industri
Gus, and the rest will come. You do the
work. and the reward will take care Of IT.
SELF No nation on the globe offers better
chances for boy to make his mark than
America, ana you want good motto, here
one
"Be sure you're right. then 60 ahead
How 10 make a skate-saII
Golden Daysl
The boys around Poughkeepsie, N. Y,
have perfect erase for making skate-sails,
and the Hudson River is dotted with them
when there is good skating. They are a
very handy article to have around in a
breeze, and there is no doubt our young read
ers will be glad to know how they are made.
Take piece Of pine wood ten feet long
and one inch square and free from knots.
Then take two smaller pieces. each five feet
long an inch wide. and half an inch thick,
and then have them planned and sand-pap-
cred.
These are the cross pieces, which must
be riveted or screwed on the larger stick. two
feet three inches from each end. Attach
them so that they will WORK easily, and then,
whep the apparatus is not in use, 1t may be
folded up and carried with ease,
Next, get two yards Of stout, unbleached
muslin. and cut 1t in half, forming two sails,
each one yard square, and hem the edges.
On two of the corners Of each sail, direct
ly opposite each other. sew on hon rings,
and drive nails or hooks on the large pole TO
fasten the rings to. They must be placed so
that when the sail is stretched the middle
will come over the place where the cross
pieces Is fastened. Then tack the other ends
of the sail on the cross-pieces and stretch 1t
as tightly as possible.
Your sail Is now complete, and when in
use the long stick Is grasped by the hands
midway between the sails. III properly con-