The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-08-14

A couple of young men called on me
the other day and asked me to give
them my opinion as to the choice of a
profession. They were bright. intel
l1gent, well educated young fellows
with some means, not very much, to
De sure, and were exceedingly anxious
TO start in career that might bring
them comfortable subsistence and
possibly fame and fortune. They had
but little choice of professions outside
OF the law, medicine, chemistry or
mining.
After an hours talk with them sim
ply had to give it up and tell them
that I really could not advise, and the
doctor, an eminent one in his specitlty,
laid down his visiting list with a sigh
and an expression of encouragement.
There are already" he continued.
more doctors in the communities with
which l am familiar than can find
profitable business The only way for
young man without influence or
backing to succeed either in the law
or medicine, is to have sufficient means
to sit down and wait until business
comes to him. In the cities he must
locate himself in the slums and work
for nothing and board himself Indeed
he must furnish a certain amount of
medicine for his patients. Some day
he may by some fortunate accident
perform successful operation or
strike some phenomenal case that will
bring him before the public. but it is
slow work and discOuraging."
AS to the law, one of the best WAYS
for beginner is to take cases either on
contingent or for the bare fees. or bet
ter still, if he has money enough to
float himself while he is doing it. to
take up cases for the deserving poor
Say what one will, there is nothing
that pays as well as philanthropy. and
the man who can afford, even at good
deal of cost to himself, to take some of |
these cases, has every chance of sue |
cess before him. The professions are |
all over-crOwded, and while there Is, |
as the old saying goes, always plenty |
of room at the top, it is such a strug- |
gle to get there, that men wear out.
break up and go to pieces long before
they reach anywhere near the upper
rounds of the ladder. If 1 had my ca
reer to begin over again with busi-
ness matters at their present status. I !
would with my profession, If l chose
to take one up, familiarlze myself with
in the line of producing.
l would become an expert gardener
florist, bee keeper, farmer, poultry rails
er, almost anything where could use
my odd hours and moments. A young
friend of mine who has been practicing
medicine for five years, has more than
made living for himself and family in
poultry raising
The advantage of some oe these
minor industries is that they take IN
comparatively little additional room
on ones place, the returns are quick
and the labor is light. 1t is by no
means incOnvenient to have a few dol
lars coming in here and there at inter
walls, and the advantages Of having
to fall back on in case of
need not be discussed. A
in law has taken I'D q, branch
Of engraving, and when clients do not
come, cash does, for his work is care
tul and painstaking, and therefore
commands a good price. AS for adj
7ising any young man to devote him
self exclusively to one thing I must
frankly say that do not see how he
an get along through the years when
lis business is coming to hirl unless
lie has means for his running expenses.
he must live well and make reason
IDLY good appearance.
1t has been said that no man could