Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-09-03
MARK TWAiN'S ADVICE.

w men t.EcH, III always Gaiitcu u Man
IN - Comfortable y, rth.
Mark Twain has found situations
for many 4 man iii a unique way.
When any one asked him for help
along that line, he would write the
delighted applicant Il cordial affirm
ative, asking him to pick out any
position he preferred and to aim
high. The desired position being
selected, Mark would simply fire
back at the applicant the following
instructions. In every case, where
they wero carried out in good faith,
they landed the worker at the top of
the ladder. Here they are:
Formula:
First. BY Il beneticent law Of our
human nature every man Is ready
and willing to employ any young
fellow who is honestly anxious to
work-for nothing.
Sccond.-A man once wonted to
an employee and satisfied with him
is loath to part with him and give
himself the trouble of breaking in a
now man.
Let us practice upon these foibles.
Instructions:
First.-Iou are to apply for work
ut the Office of your choice.
Second. You are to. 90 without
recommendations. You arc not to
mention my name, nor any one $
but your own.
Third. You are to say that you
want no pay; that all you want is
work-any kind of work. You make
no stipulation. You are ready to
sweep out, point tho pencils, replcn-
ish the inistands, hold copy, tidy
W, keep the place i'll order, run
errands-anytling and everything.
You are not particular. You are so
tired of being idle that life is Il bur
den to You. All you want is work
and plenty of it. You do rot want
penny worth of remuneration. II.
B.--Nou will get the place, whether
the man be Il generous one OF II sell
fish one.
Fourth. YOU must not 81 t around
and wait for the staff TO find work
for you to do. You must keep
watch and find it for yourself.
When you can't find it, invent it.
You will he popular there pretty
soon, and the boys will do you a
good turn whenever they can.
When you are on the street ana see
Il thing that is worth reporting, go
to the Office and tell about it. BY
and by you will be allowed to put
such things Oh paper yourself. In
the morning you will notice that
they have been edited and Il good
many of your words lex out the
very strongest and best Hnta TO.
That will teach you TO modify your
self. III due course you viii GI;it
by natural and sure degrees inlD
daily and regular reportil & and VIII
find yourself on the city oGi';,'a
staff without any ones quite Know
ing how or whom you GOT ,i.r.c.
Fifth, By this time yoll have be
como necessary, possibly cN,l IL
dispensable. Still ycu ere ncN,rtu
mention wages. That is Il natt,r
which will take care Of itself. NCT
must wait. BY and ly there viii
DO Il vacancy Gu LcINhlCring pu.
per. You will know all the ltlurt.
ers i'll town by this time, ;iyl oAo or
another Of them will speak CT you,
and you will be offered The rl;,l at
current wages. You will report this
good fortune to your city editor,
and he will offer you the same
wages, and you will stay where you
are.
Sixth. - Subsequently, whenever
higher pay is offered you on another
paper, you are not to take the place
if your original employer rs willing
to keep you at like price. Nc.
Clure's Magazine.