Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-10-02
USEFUL MERCHANDISING.

Some have taste for trade, and mer.
chandi-iig is not only a legitimate but a
necessary branch of business. There is
vast economy to the public in having a
middle man through whom to exchange
products. The old.iashloned market
brought certain traders together and
enabled them to exchange their wares,
but it was at best rather clumsy affair.
The man with horse, a hog or sheep
to sell might not find purchaser and
then he would have to carry his property
back with him, and not everything that
the farmer needed could be found at the
market place. Then, market days were
occasional and mans needs are constant.
The store is convenience that only
those can appreciate who have been
forced to do without it.
The Young man who enjoys barter can
prepare for bookkeeping with the assur-
ance that lie can render a valuable GER
vice to society and in doing so secure a
fair remuneration. From the country
store. with it's general stock Ct staples,
up through the special lines to the whole
sale house lea an honorable path that
millions have followed with profit to
themselves and benefit to their fellows.
Clerkship is the first step and it is we'll
for one to take it before becoming an
owner, even though he may have money
enough TO start as a proprietor. Nothing
can take the place OF experience and no
one is so fit to become an employer as
one who has worked up from the ranks
OF the employees.
The first lesson for the merchant to
learn 10 that he is in business for the &C.
commodaion of his customers. They
can live without him, but he cannot keep
hold them he must treat them fairly and
to treat the m fairly he must furnish them
what they want at a price that is not ex.
tortionate. The merchant who takes adj
vantage of his customers. charges more
when they send after an article than
when thev call themselves an enquire
the price, or palms off an inferior article
soon becomes acquailt with the sheriff
and the judgment creditor. The clerk
who shows all aptitude for business, who
makes friends for his employer, who can
be relied upon and who is not afraid to
work is the one who stands the best
chance of becoming the partner when a
change occurs in the firm.
Merchandising has an advantage over
farming in that the merchant can better
coin into money his personal popularity
and the confidence which he enjoys. The
cattle, hogs, wheat and corn of the just
and the unjust sell at the same price in
the market, but the trade of communi.
ty, ether things being equal, will flow
into the store of the man who by courte.
sy, kindness and character wins the con.
fidence o the people.
What pity that any young man
should live an idle, plcasure.seeking life
when it is possible by honesty, industry,
perseverance and good habits to make
success in so many useful occupations
aud few occupations offer greater oppor-
tunitv than merchandising for gradual
growth on merit from small beginning
to financial independence. Just now the
trusts are squeezing the merchants by
shortening credits, forcing exclusive con-
tracts and throwing more and more of
the risks of trade upon them, but the
trusts will not last always. An enlight-
ened public sentiment will soon set
limits to corporate power and restore
connection.