The state capital., 1891-09-12
what ShaIlOIr Boys DOc

WhatShaIlO Boys Do?
That is question which is sure to
come up in every household where
there are boys, and more especially
bows who must make their own way
in the world. Horace Greeley was
in his early boyhood on his fathers
bleak and rather sterile farm IN
New Hampshire; he answered the
question for himself, by determln-
ing to become printer. When he
was old enough to get into Yer
mont printing office he carried out
his resolution. His inclination was
an indication Of his natural fitness
undoubtedly, but it was also due to
his absorbing interest in weekly
papers taken by his father.
When John Ericsson was mite
ola boy in the Swedish mining
village Of his birth he exhibited
tastes and aptitudes which unmis-
takably pointed out his future ca
reer to his observing father.
He was made to be great engl-
neer, and his genius showed itself
conspicuously almost before he was
out Of his baby frocks. 50 also
have other boys discovered a bent
for some particular calling 50 strong
that circumstances could not divert
them from it. The true path was
laid out for them 50 plainly by the
very constitution Of their minds
that they could not easily err.
But the vast majority OF people
must take the paths which opcH
most readily to them, a they
have not this compelling power OF
special and decided aptitude or
genius. Young people too, are apt
to change in their preferences as to
what they would like to undertake
A great many Of the youths who 60
to college, for instance, are apt to be
more certain about this matter when
they enter than when they have
gone on further in their course
They don't know their minds
They wait for something to turn up
What they are to be and how they
are to develop are questions that
puzzle both themselves and then
parents. The future is dark tc
them. They only know that they
want to succeed. Yet college
course is usually pursued as prep
araton for professional career,
and the professions TO choose
among are few. The prehexity O
a boy who does not thus limit the
field Of selection, but tried to choose
from among the long list Of gain
ful occupatious," as they are de
nominated in the census, must bt
infinitely greater, and more SO be
cause in the vast majority OF eases
he does not feel any natural fitness
for any particular one OF them, an(
NAV not have any marked prefer
zee for any one. He must sal
away on his career not known!
where he is to land.
Charles Pratt, Of New York
Daniel Webster, Of New HamI
shire, Cornelius Vanderbilt, tn
founder of the great Vanderbilt fol
tune, were each poor boys who mad
their mark in this country. Thes
few conspicuous cases, and the
mi.ht be increased indefinitely
show that it is not so much the en-
ployment into which boy goes g
the intrinsic quality Of the boy hin
self. that is the important matte
Until within halfa century on
side q few fortunes that could b
enumerated by the memory, thel
was no great wealth here. as wealt
is now estimated. The opportun
ties offered by the growth OF ii
country and the deve opment
new agencies by modern scien'
and discovery, may have been MOI
IN the past than they will be in Il
future. But that is not according
the experience of mankind, grow
is proceeding all the time. Disco
cry Is ceasless. An end will p
come to the progress at the END
the nineteenth century. flf
wears from now our populate
will be more than 2O0,OOO,oO
and to supply the wants OF tn
great community, an infinite VAR
tv of industries must spring
among which will be many now II
known and out of their develo
ment great fortunes will be accum
lated. The work to be done is en-
less and will give endless oppt
tunities for the boys Of their pecl'
who fit themselves tor the task a
save all their energies forit. Fire
erick Douglass was once a slaH
Lincoln was fat-boatman, Graz
tanner, and Sherman shoema
er. You will find that many gre
men started on the humber wal
Of life. The demand for lawye
doctors, engineers, professors a
others are always limited and Ike
nearly a fixed proportion to t