Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-04

can gain a support for himself and those
who are dependent on him. Many an en-
terprising youth has just at this j]uncture
Of his career abandoned the crippling con-
dltions which have thus far enslaved him,
and gone forth to make a strong, success
full, independent cltizen-putting himself
abreast Of the first in the land.
The case is not an exaggeration. Many
even more distressing have come under my
own observation. In many public places
there Is absolutely no variety to the work,
very little intrinsic interest and. Of course,
no chances for development. The pay for
the labor done is enough. IL is worth no
more. The clerk on coming to the capital
has entered a new society new clothing. new
wants and a hundred Unforeseen demands
are exacted. It is soon apparent to him
that those who supply his needs have pre-
cisely adjusted their bills to his receipts, or
perhaps pushed out a little in advance of
them.
A STRIKING PARALLEL.
How different It is with his school COM
rade who parted with him at graduation
and found an opening as an errand boy In
New York and assumed the other duty or
privilege of sweeping out the Office. He
went In there at the bottom of the ladder
but he has been steadily rising until he is
now ahead Of his at first seemingly more
fortunate friend. Why? Because rising
was in the original contract-rising accord
ing to merit. He has never rested too long
on his oars. He has attracted the attention
OF the business heads, who wanted important
errands quickly and honestly done. or his
clean and early sweeping, giving a whole
some air to a business place. has suggested
clean ways and clean conscience. All things
being equal the New York friend, who
started humbly, has in a few short years
gone up the steps of industry and integrity
to a business success. As he has thus
risen in private life, he has found variety
instead of monotony; pushing into each new
place for which the preceding fitted him, he
has acquired more and more force for the
work of life.
The thought Of the first was "Give me a
safe thing" while that of the second has
been: start me anywhere where there
is an open way-in any honorable business
where there is a future"
Notice other effects. Observing a number
OF young men who have been ten years in
government clerkships, 1t seems as If in the
most of them, the fire of ambition had been
quenched. They now go on like the steady
horse in the daily harness. If I were young
again, / would seek the more fearless free
dom of civil pursuits, rather than the mo-
notonous, sitting restraint of any government
service.
1t may not be amlss to give a word OF
counsel to any government young man who
may glance at this writing, rather than
finish by such discouraging views as the
above. There Is after all a large variety
in the choice of government positions. His
u 6tOSl dlly, HStltllJlllC researches, as
tronomy, engineering, seamanship, chem
istry, in fact many an art and science find
its place in the government records and
work. Let the young man already in the
harness fit himself according to his task
for some sort of promotion, whether
he gets that promotion or not. How can he?
By putting in his leisure moments to better
his body, his mind, his spirit. If he attain
genuine health, strength, energy and fitness
he may somehow sooner or later come to
the thing he merits for ha will ba wontpd
Such men are sought after. There is one
more thought, which l think commends itself
to every young man beginning life, whether
in the government service or outside of it,
but more especially to him who has a small
salary with little hope of promotion. 1t is
what lies In the result of extraordinary
well-doing. 1t may be better illustrated by
a story which Rev. William NJ. Taylor gave
his people at a social meeting.
STORY WITH A MORAL.
A Scottish lord on one occasion was enter
tanning a distinguished friend at dinner.
While the two were sitting at the table the
guest noticed an unusual amount of silver
ware on the table and on the sideboard. 1t
was all bright and beautiful, and seemed to
the observer of unusual fineness and value.
Glow is this, my lord, when did you obtain
all this %silver?' "Oh," he replied, ut is
our plate, but its singular brightness is due
to my butler" He then led his guest to the
pantry to show him his treasures there. Just
then the butler came in and was introduced.
The distinguished visitor spoke to him
kindly and inquired with a show Of interest
what was the secret of such extraordinary
neatness and order. The butler, coloring,
said: 81 will tell you, sir, the secret. Lately
I was led to become a loyal subject of the
Great Master, and, as l wanted to please
Him, it occurred to me to try to do my
everyday work better than l had done be-
fore"
This fervid speech of the butler and his
modest manner affected the visitor so much
that he was led to personal reflections. He
soon after gave his own allegiance to the
Great Master. When the famous Sturgeon
through him heard OF this conduct of the
reformed butler he sent to Scotland for him
and persuaded him to come to London as
his helper. The butler then became famous
for his effective Christian labors, under the
supervision of his new friend and pastor.
The young mans lesson in epigram is this:
Do daily work ever better. that it may show
loyalty to Him who controls the fountain of
good. OLIVER o. HOWARD,
Major General, U. S. A.