Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-12-01

Every Roy WIN Make Mistake ~ lie
Does.t Adapt Himself to some business.
"Do you think boy ought to learn
trader
This was the query that came to MS
the other day. Judging from the re-
mainder of the letter it came from a
bright boy. and that made the question
more surprising.
Is it not astonishing that anyone
should doubt for moment the advisa-
bility of learning a trade? II is almost
as if one should ask il two hands were
better than one.
In some counties the learning OF
trade is considered so important that
the law steps in and requires the par
ents to teach their boys. if sound in
mind and body. trade or profession,
as some sort of a guarantee that they
will not become a burden to the state.
Governmental supervision over private
affairs is not popular in this country,
but in this case il should not be needed.
Parents themselves ought to realize its
Importance. and, indeed there are
very few who do not
In no other country are fortunes So
evanescent as in America Here we
have no landed estates, no families.
in the English sense, and the spirit Of
ambition and unrest is SO great that
few boys are content to remain in the
home where they were born, or follow
n their fathers footsteps.
There are many rapid rises from pen
ury to wealth. but as many and perhaps
more fall from riches to poverty. A
great fire. the failure of a banking firm
or the defaleation of a trusted clerk
may undo in a day the labor OF years.
When these changes come the boy
who has been reared in luxury may be
compelled to earn his living How can
he do it? If he is a fair penman and ac-
curate at figures he may get minor
clerkship at a salary which formerly
would not have kept him in clothes. lie
is dependent ON the whims Of his EN-
ployers. and the chances are that he
drags out miserable existence
Take time by the foreloclS. and learn
trade. II need not be in a blacksmith
shop or rolling mill it may easily be
something which combines with muscle
and brains in the highest degree.
There are many such occupations,
and the time to choose is bcfore stern
necessity compels choice. which may
be hasty and ill-advised.
Perhaps it is not strange that fathers
do not always realize the vicissitudcs of
fortune and its attendant response
bilities. but there are signs Of an awak-
ening.
Even the boys are getting ambitious
to be something more than money
spenders. needing only proper encour-
agement from their parents 70 realize |
the dangers in their path which may be |
avoided by care and forethoughi.
gentleman who had induced large |
house to take his son into
It's employ at moderate rate Of pay, !
not very long since. was especially |
anxious in his request that the Young |
man should be N ade to work and learn |
the business.
This instruction was needless, as. al |
though modern fashion has done away /
with much OF the janitor and porterage /
work Of old times, vet the young man
found the selection Of stock for orders 1
packing the same. entering, charging /
ditto and occasional errands kept him
actively employed for about ten hours ]
a day. with an hour ont for dinner.
At the end Of three weeks time he /
failed 10 put in an appearance, hnt the
father walked ia one morning with the
that John would not re
turn to the position.
..AYhy not2" asked the publisher
well. John has to have his break !
fast at half-past seven every morning |
10 get here. and then he is not usea to
carrying bundles, and sometimes he's