Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-02-15
YOUTH
Il Must be Served but Don't Serve il
,..,. Too Much Says Writer:

Il Must be Served but Don't Serve it
~, Too Much Says Writer
do not know who first adyancedsthc
proposition that youth must be served,
writes Damon Runyan in the New
York American.
All know about it is that it has
been a very handy idea in sport
writing. have used it to more or less
advantage several thousand times my
self: EI.
Whenever some gallus lad OF
eighteen Or twenty steps into a prize
ring and knocks over some .creaking
veteran of thirty. youth must be
served" comes almost automatically to
my typewriter. .E -
It is the same when young baseball
pitcher trumphed over an older oppon-;;
ent. The last time used 1t in a base
bali connection afterward summed
up the ages of the players behind the
two pitchers and discovered that the
supporters. of the young pitcher aver
aged five years per man older than
the members Of f2the veterans cast. 1t,
is, of course, pitchers support that
really wins ball games.
When an oldster defeats a young fell
low, especially in sport, the defeat Is
generally attributed to the youngsters
"inexperlence" Not half the tribute Is
paid the veteran for his prowess when
he: wins as is paid the "young-must-
be served" though when the yohhs ester
triumphs. -.
AS matter of downright fact, out
side Of sport, and perhaps love, youth
Is not served to the extent that the
phrase implies. It..:is merely, one Of
those old sayings that dent mean much
when you come to investigate them.
Possibly it was first put forward by
some old fellow. in love with young
thing who saw her carried or by
Lochnivar in his twenties. In love
youth has slight edge on age. no
QOuUl VI. lHul. .-..-..
j.. Still as a young fellow. IL seems to
me that most of the, girls loved were
eventually. married, to, much older
chaps. Even in love an Inexperienced
youngster has small chance against a
glib old beau, and especially one so
settled in life that he can offer a girl
flrmer. foundation than mushy con-
versation. ..,. :.,tg. =.
Did you, as a young fellow. ever 90
after a job that you knew you were
qualified to hold, qualified by knowl-
edge and qualified in every other way?
What did the employer tell you?
One glance. at your smooth face and
boyish figure, and then:
TOO young!"
Thereupon he perhaps turned and
hired some fellow twice your age who
had nothing of.your ability.
Did you, as young fellow. spend
several years in the employ Of some
concern. mastering the business and
building yourself as' IN asset to that
business, seek advancement or raise
in salary. only to hear:
':Well, now, my. boy, you're young
yet and have plenty of time to wait"
That, as l have observed the scheme
of things, is the way youth is generally
served. The Society for the Suppress
sion Of Youthful Enthusiasm is one OF
the largest organizations in the world.
AS child you hear that children
should be seen and not heard" II you
venture an opinion before you have a
long beard, the public sneers and says:
What does a young squirt like that
know about anything?' If you run for
public office prior to almost total SEN
ility, you are a presumptious young
pup.
Youth must be served. but don't
serve it too much.
Many an employer. when he wants
a man, Immediately goes outside and
hires one, instead Of looking around
his own business to see if some young
fellow has not developed who is capa-'
BILE of filing the job. Employers forget
that young men improve and come on
almost over night. They remember
their young men only as the kids VINO
entered their employ inexperienced and
unsophisticated.
They are the same employers who
complain bitterly when young EN-
ployes, who have. been brought up in
their corners and who have been little
appreciated in the way of advancement
or other recognition, are suddenly hired
away by their rivals
These employees will tell you of the
terrible ingratitude Of humanity, yet
search of their salary rolls will disclose
no raises in the stipends Of the desert
In,