The Red Cloud chief., 1897-07-16
Choice of a Profession.

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
ligent. we'll educated young fellows
with some means. not very much, to
be sure. and were exceedingly anxious
to start In a career that might bring
them a 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 1 sim
ply had to give 1t up and tell them
that ! really could not advise, and the
doctor, an eminent n 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 I am familiar than can find
profitable business. The only way for
a Young man without influence or
lacking to succeed either in the law
Dr. medicine. is to have sufficient means
to sit down and wait until business
to him. In the cities he must
locate himself in the slums and work
Tor nothing and board himself Indeed
ne must furnish a certain amount OF
medicine for his patients. Some day
he may by some fortunate accident
perform a successful operation or
strike some phenomenal case that will
bring him before the public. but 1t Is
slow work and diseouraging."
AS to the law. one Of the best ways
Tor a beginner Is to take cases either on
contingent or for the bare fees, or bet
ter still. II he has money enough to
float himself while he is doing 1t, 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. e. en- at a 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. II I had my ca
reer to begin over again with busi-
ness matters at their present status. I
would with my profession. II I chose
to take n NJ. familiarlze myself with
something In the line Of producing.
I would become ar expert gardener,
florist, bee keeper. farmer. poultry rails
err, almost anything where | could use
my odd hours and moments. A young
friend OF mine who has been practicing
medicine for Ave years, has more than
made a living for himself and family in
poultry raising
The advantage Of some Of these
minor industries Is that they take up
comparatively little additional room
ON ones place, the eturns are quick
and the labor is light. 1t is by no
means announcement to have a few dol
lars coming In here and there at inter-
walls, and the advantages of having
something to fall back on In case of
emergency, need not be discussed. A
beginner in law has taken up a branch
of engraving. and when clients do not |
come, cash does, for his work Is care
full and pa~instaking, and therefore
commands a good price. AS for ad-
vising any young man to devote him
self exclusively to one thing I must
frankly say that ! do not see how he
can get along through the years when
his business is coming to him unless
he has means for his running expenses.
He must live we'll and make a reason
ably good appearance.
1t has been said that no man could
do two things well. That may be, but
II depends altogether on what the two
things are. He could not handle two
learned professions probably. but he
certainly might take up a simple bust
ness and carry 1t on while pursuing his
studies or establishing himself In the
work OF his life.
1t is Of the utmost value to any per-
son who pursues a business that re-
uuires mental effort to be free from
the handicap OF extremely limited
mama One dOes much better wcrk