The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-06-21
Written for The Prison Mirror,

"Irust thySelf: every heart vi5rates
to that iron string."- Emerson.
Business men, and particularly pub
fishers, are not infrequently very far
from correct in predicting success or
failure along certain lines and in mat
ters of which they may have had years
of experience. Did the man intending
to begin in business or of following
certain vocation heed the advice some
times given to him he would find him
self in pretty dilemma. Among
samples may be found such as, "Don't
take up that trade, for notice the un-
emp!oyed;" ;" "That field is already over
crowded and it would be impossible to
carry your salt therein" "Begin busi-
ness in a newly settled town, it would
mean ruin to you to start in large
city," etc.
Certainly their advice, being prompt
ed by practical experience of many
years, should have some bearing Oh the
purpose and is deserving of being
carefully weighed. allude to the mis-
takes of the experienced noted
as the exception rather than the rule;
as showing the occurrence of error in
judgment where least to be expected,
and as evidencing where special indi-
vidual research may incur to advan-
tage. While we must give these ad-
visors credit of understanding their
own business; that is, within the linn
tied sphere of their trade-yet, I do
not see how that can make them COM
petent to predict as to the probable
success or failure of another, one whose
qualifications are unknown to them.
In an age of caprice, curiosity and inquis-
itiveness, it places the publishers criti-
cism in the same category.
No matter where we look to or
whatever business, the demand is al
ready supplied by the traders; aid like
wise, the entire demand was previously
supplied when but few traders were in
business. Where many engage in bus
mess with success, another will fail;
and vice versa. 1t depends largely on
individual qualification.
In a neighboring city, not many
years ago, young man, with limited
capital, was overlooking the locality
and prospects of success in the grocery
line. His idea was not to start store
in the suburbs, but in the heart of the
city. The place that took his fancy
was in a block where three grocery
stores were already situated and to all
appearances commanded the trade.
Thus inclined he consulted some of
the long established wholesale grocery
firms, each of which urged him not to
think of it, that it. meant SIRE ruin,
and that the field was alrea over
crowded. OF course they each knew
of splendid opening in a one-horse
town where he would meet with but
one competitor. Nevertheless the
young man was undaunted and delib
erately set up shop among the three
old established competitors, and ere
two years past lie had them jumping in
the effort to keep pace with him.
In almost any business the condi-
tions are much the same. 1t is the
shrewd man that wins, aud the man
who has confidence in his own judg-
ment. Whether one or fifty compet-
itors are near by is of little conse-
quence.
Another man after peddling cheap
articles for two years, during which
time he kept an open eye on the pros
poets of engaging in the clothing busi-
ness, had saved six hundred dollars.
The store in which he decided to To-
cate was in the business center of the
town and the rental thereof close to
one hundred dollars, besides any num-
!. ~.