Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09


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 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 really could not advise, and the
doctor, an eminent one in his specitlty
laid down his visiting list with 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
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 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 it is
slow work and disoouraging."
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 al 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,
of room at the top, it is such 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 had my ca
reer to begin over again with bust
ness matters at their present status,
would with my profession, II I chose
to take one up, fsmiliarize myself with
something in the line Of producing.
/ would become an expert gardener,
florist, bee keeper, farmer. poultry rails
er, almost anything where I 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
Soultry raising
The advantage Of some Of these
minor industries is that they take up
comparatively little additional room
on ones place, the returns are quick
and the labor is light. 1t is by no
means inconvenient to have 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 branch
of engraving, and when clients do not
come, cash does, for his work is care
full and painstaking, and therefore
commands a good price. AS for ad-
vising any young man to devote him
self exclusively to one thing / 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 reason
ably good appearance.
It has been said that no man could
do two things well. That may be, but
It depends altogether on what the two
things are. He could not handle two
learned professions probably, but he
certainly might take up simple bust
ness and carry it on while pursuing his
studies or establishing himselt'in the
| work of his life.
1t is of the utmost value tc cny per-
son who pursues business that re-
auires mental effort to be free from
the handicap of extremely limited
| means. One does much better work