The Charlotte Democrat., 1895-01-04
A 81 LTU R Al,
Country Life Versus Citv Life.


that in most of the so-called reunions and
at banquets almost every speaker leads
you to infer from his remarks that be
was brought up on farm, and then goes
off in rhapsodies about what splendid
time he used to have in winter when
farm work was not pressing. And some
homes: ones among them will, while heav
ing a sigh, say: II wish had never left
the farm!' At the suggestion that the
way was open, and that he could go back
if he wanted to, the answer comes: at
is too late in life for me to commence
anew in the country.
One often meets with Young men who
are anxious ito go on the road" that is
to say they would like to be commercial
drummers | am afraid they think that
the life of such position is a continual
frolic! What a sad mistake! The com
mercial traveller has to sell goods; if he
fails he is superseded. Travel by night;
get up out of your berth after midnight,
perhaps go to a livery stable, wait until
horse is fed and then dash off into dark
ness and travel on all sorts of roads a
dozen miles or less, reach your destina
tion just after breakfast is over, wait for
your meal and gulpit down quality good,
bad or Indifferent and then seek a cus>
toner or two only to find that another
drummer has just taken their orders.
Now for the next place, and on that little
journey you meet your man who had
scooped the trade and he laughs at you.
Do you think the situation pleasant
That is not romancing, but plain, every
day fact
But, you say, [ would get position in
a store in the city. All right. If you
have a prospect, capital and friends, so
that you can look forward to being the
owner of store it is worth while to learn
20 be q merchant 1t is at best calling
requiring not only what one may learn
in business college, but an almost uni
versal knowledge of things, so varied
that a lifelong experience will hardly
give man thorough insight of values,
manufactures and inventions. 1t requires
much study, not only of things, but of
men. Say that you are willing to begin
at the lowest round of the ladder. In
the day time you are obliged to wait on
the patrons of the establishment. At the
close of day the manager says: Mr.
Brown, we shall need your assistance
this evening to pack and bill the goods,
for they must be shipped early in the
morning" -..L-."
Another feature is the city boarding
house, for men and youths, who can only
afford so much per week. Perhaps you
will be compelled by necessity to occupy
the same room with chum; possibly also
the bed. Who is your roommate? A
stranger to you most likely. His tastes
and yours differ He smokes, you do
not; he drinks beer or something stronger,
you do not; he goes to the plays, and you
do not care to go; he talks when you
wish to read or to sleep; you cannot make
him stop without giving offense. What
are you going to do about it? Now just
here word of caution. He or some
other chance acquaintance may try
most likely will try-to laugh you out of
your good habits; first by insinuation,
next by ridcule, etc. If you are so un-
fortunate as to have sick spell your
little savings, under the most favorable
conditions, will melt like snow furry in
May.
But you are still inclined to think it is
pleasant life in the city, even if you
have to obey others bidding. You say:
"There are Y. M. G. A.'s-thank God
there are-and they will help an honest,
right minded youngster like me. 1t would
be dreadful if one could not pass these
trials and ordeals unscatched. Others
have done so, many of them, and why
not II"
I think the chances are against you.
But before you take the decided step,
let me remind you of some of the good
things you intend to forsake. You will
miss, most likely, the counsel of a mother,
and when you are perplexed and have a
headache you will miss her cool hands
which have so often cured it and brought
the W elcome sleep.
You will miss also the bright and pleas
ant rally and call Of sister older than
yourself, who has often made you laugh
and dispelled the blues when you were
only tired in body and glum in mind and
behavior because of the hard lot OF far
mer. You will miss all the nice little
parties gotten up in the neighborhood
and the pleasant ride with a young lady
in buggy on seat just large enough
for two.
You will most likely miss your favor
ite dishes which your mother knew how
to prepare, the abundance of cream and
fresh berries, the nice butter and such
bread as bakers do not furnish, and last,
though not least, you will miss your own
room and your own bed, and tho sound
and refreshing sleep. "The sleep of the
laboring man is sweet whether he eat
much or little," so we read in the Book.
You tell the old story: 81 will 60 into
the city and stay there year and buy
and cell, and get gain" Well, you may,
others have done so and so may you. The
chances from the best information obs
tainable are that 80 out of every 100
merchants fail, thatis to say, fail of max
ing fortune. More than so out of lOO
fail completely; 40 more fail and rally and
make a precarious living, and only one
or two out of every loo make fortune.
Fine clothes, a genteel appearance, going
to concerts, lectures, etc., belonging to q
club, may be or are desirable, but they
cost money and cannot be INDUCED in
often, if you intend to save any of your
earnings, because you ought to give
something for benevolence and aid in sus
tanning associations which will aid others
who may need help to lead an honest and
honorable life.
Take the word of an old man who has
lived in New York City, Chicago and
St. Louis, for it, and who has spent more