The Washington herald., 1913-07-06


RI AN q high school and university man.
~ have had the best Of Quotations"
This Ii the cry with which he seeks
to impress employers In his search
for work. For many days he has
tramped the city calling on the heads Of
business houses. seeking. seeking. seeking all
in vain for an opportunity to display the
wonders Of his ability-for he IL an educated
man.
When he left college he had world OF
confidence in himself. He would obtain a
position at once-right at the top Of the
ladder, Surely II would be an easy matter
for man Of his education. What would he
start At? Why, what should an educated
man accept? At college he had cultivated
an expensive appetite. There were certain
things too low for him. He had mingled
with the sons Of aristocrats. the scions Of
nobility. and surely with his education he
was much above the common herd.
Alas! for his confidence-his high flown
ideals. his education! Verify, pride goeth
before q fall. and this poor. ignorant. highly
educated young man, with his knowledge Of
mathematics, of Latin. and of Greek. Of psy-
chology, and many other subjects that ended
similarly, soon had a fall, and 10! his pride
vanished before his appetite.
Try a. he might. he could not ind en-
ployment. He found men in plenty who were
willing to listen to him, willing too, TO give
him an opportunity. II he could prove him
self worthy of 1t. and there was the rub
His education impressed them. there was
no doubt Of that. An educated man might
know how to use his intelligence. and SO few
people know how to do that! What expert
ence have you had?' The applicant. with
an air Of confidence. assures the employer
that he has had none. At this. a look Of
doubt appears in the eyes Of his interrogator.
What knowledge have you Of machinery.
Of carpentry. or architecture The same
answer follows. still with the same air OF
confidence. II am afraid I can offer you
nothing. then" he is finally told. :. What"
is the astonished reply OF the applicant. you
have no position for me with my education
and abilities?'' He Is assured. however. that
a knowledge Of history. of ethics. Of logic.
or Of philosophy, though no doubt useful in
themselves, is not absolutely requisite for
q manufacturer of steel products. Of furni-
ture. or of any other branch Of merchandise.
and the applicant leaves with conviction that
something Is wrong somewhere.
In another place he learns that his knowl-
edge Of mathematics might make him useful
in the auditing or accounting department.
and Immediately his assurance returns.
What in his opinion are his services worth?
He considers q moment He is high school
and university man. he is educated. he is
above the common herd. Il could accept
nothing less than $50 week" A sour smile
one Of derision crosses the face Of the BUSH
ness man. and he offers to start the appli-
cant At the sum of SO week. OF course
this Is scorned. and the educated man walks
out to resume his quest for work.
Gets Job as Accountant.
Again he applies with invariably the same
result and after repeated failures, a doubt
growing stronger and stronger enters his
mind. He reviews the situation and things
begin to clear before him. He determines to
try again and this time he WILL succeed.
The Offices Of a big corporation loom UP be-
fore him. He enters. There is need Of men
in the accounting department. and thither he
makes his way. All, here is where his educa-
ton helps him. He is high school and uni
versity man. That's good. He has a good
knowledge of mathematics. Good again A
feeling of supreme confidence comes upon
him, and he finally accepts the position at the
salary Of $50 a month. and thankfully. too
An empty stomach has decided him.
He settles down to work. The first week
Is not SO bad. II is a new experience and
before the varnish wears on it Is interesting
But soon-aias! too sooh-routine absorbs
him. The dull monotony OF the daily grind
wears steadily into his bones: even his men
tai faculties are affected. As he sits ever
the long columns Of figures his brain. me-
chemically performing the functions Of its
new training. wanders OF on q tangent and
he again IL at the university. performing
deeds Of prowess on the training field. taking
frsts in the tripos. or summing himself in the
smiles Of the college society.
He wakes with start 1t 10 time to Quit
He goes to his dreary lodgings with no definite
plan of how to spend the evening He Is
high school and university man. He is highly
educated. He has refined and sensitive
tastes, he IL very particular In the selection
Of his acquaintances: therefore he has none.
How to spend the evening-that Is the cues
ton. He wanders round; his aimless steps
lead him to a show. That will pass the lime
anyway. 1t Is late when he comes out and
he begins to yawn. There are many things
he should do-write letters home. for in
stance. but those can wait TIL tomorrow.
The exertion tonight Ii disagreeable. Many
" tomorrows" come and 20 and the to-
niRhts " are neysr hesded