Year: 1868

to put it right, and what it did think al
ways seemed to me much the important
point.


Nature, I admit, has given me some
outward advantages for getting on. Of
these I have carefully made the most. [
am tall and broad-chested, with gray hair
standing erect upon an ample and COM
manding- looking forehead. My "pres-
ence," [ have often observed, in the bank
of which [ am manager, is sufficient to
bring guilt and confusion into the face of
the man who brings me doubtful bill for
discount, while the heartiness of laugh
the style Of ones laughter is point to
be carefully attended to-and the cordial
way In which I can shake hands when |
choose, has brought many strong mans
account to the bank. | have always been
most attentive to dress-and my costume
has been nearly the same for twenty years.
I wear black frock coat, vest of the same
material, with dark-gray trowsers. Since
[ was made manager of the bank [ have
carried gold-headed, cane, with which l
walk to and from the Office. On the same
occasion I bought gold repeater watch,
which I wear with gold seals, in the good
old fashion. I must say that laid aside
my old silver turnip with regret; it had
kept me true to many business-engage-
ment in the days of youthful struggle.


MARRIAGE.


I know of nothing which argues more
against man being possessed of pru-
dent business-like spirit and is, therefore,
more calculated to tell against his busi-
ness prospects, than marrying on an in
sufficient or precarious income; but, on
the other hand, when he has a certain and
sufficient income, and has reached a be-
coming period of life, there can be no
doubt that prudent and sensible mar
riage adds to bis weight and respectable
ty. .s.


AS for myself, I felt the gravity of mar
riage to be so great that | had been In a
position to marry for some years before |
could fairly make up my mind to it; but
when I got the bank. l began to see dis
tinctly that the inferior social status Of a
single man was altogether inappropriate
and unbecoming to my position.


In choosing a wife | was guided inst by
! tt the same principles which have guided me
in the other affairs of life, and which have
lied me, not altogether discreditable,
venture to hope. If I did not marry for
love, as it is called, at least I did not tire
of my wife at the end of three MONTHS
If I did not tell her before we were mar
ried that she was an angel, l was never
urcivil to her afterward.


Ichose my wife because, having known
her for several years, she appeared to be
prudent, sensible, and economical. and
likely to manage my house creditably;
and. on the whole my expectations were
reasonably well fulfilled. I may add that
she was good looking. which [ frankly
confess that regard as an advantage in
woman. We were not blessed with any
family; and when she was called away
from me last year I did feel very queer
and lonely. But when two agree to jour
ney through life together. it is plain that
one must die first. 1 dedicated such an
amount Of time to grief as the world has
seen fit to require and sanction but I did
not allow myself to sink into morbid and
sentimental condition. The period of le-
gitimate grief having expired, I resumed
my attention to business, and I am not
ashamed to say that I was able to resume
my interest in it. ,.. t.,..
GossIpINa.


There are, think, few common habits
more fatal to business reputation than a
habit of chattering. When l hear a
young man starting in lite ready to deliv-
er bis opinion at moments notice on the
questions of the day. [ mark him as one
whom l shall certainly not be the first to
send business to. No man should pre-
sumo to engage the attention of the com
pany by talk, unless his age and position
are markedly superior. % No unmade man
should ever talk to the company. I feel
that [ can not give too great weight to
this important truth. By talking, you
not only allow others to take note of your
vanities and weaknesses-an we all have
our share, only some are cleverer in hiding
them than others-but by the mere fact
of talking, you affront men of age and po-
sition, and thus make them indisposed to
help you. They think. and think rightly,
that it is for age to talk and for youth to
listen. But even among those of your
own standing, young man, with your way
to make, be advised Nature has given
you two ears; keep both, fully employed.
You have but one tongue; let it enjoy
plenty OF leisure. 80 "a. .sa.} aLatfa-
RELIGION. ~.
If conformity in details be desirable for
those who wish to do we'll in the world, it
is strictly Indispensable in matters intrin-
sically important. For any one to talk
irreverently of, or conduct himself with
Ileyity toward any institution of church or
state is what I have never been able to
tolerate and it is style of conduct which
l am glad to say, society is certain to Wis
it with its severest displeasure. Busy as
We used to be in the Office all the week
when l was young man. rejoice to say
that [ never was once willfully absent
from church, either forenoon or afternoon;
and, higher considerations apart. I may
say that / know of no better Way for a