whom, several months before, I had given a quarter of a dollar and some good advice which he followed the next morning and struck a good job before ten o'clock and was now drawing $24.00 per week. If I were a laboring man and out of work, I should promptly, each morning after breakfast, put on a clean pair of overalls and jumper, brush the dust out of my hat and shoes, making a respectable appearance, then with my lunch in my pocket and a spade or shovel under my arm, put in fully eight or ten hours each day looking for work, and every new building I saw going up, or excavation for a building, or anything that looked like a field for labor, I should go after it. Supposing a man spent a whole week of idle time and secured a job which lasted him a whole year, was he not well rewarded for such services? The theory is this: Supposing you had an established business and employed from five to fifty people. There is usually one among them who is about to leave, or you are about to discharge. I call for a job and am willing to do almost anything and the pay is a secondary consideration. You now have a hungry, willing man against one who is dissatisfied and overfed, and you give me a trial; while, if I waited until you discharged your man and advertised for a new one, I am then no favorite, but must take my chances in the field with the rest of the ponies; or, if I remain at home, lock myself in; there is no one going to look for me. There is nothing under the sun that cannot be found if you look long and hard enough for it. Several years ago when gold was discovered at Klondike and people rushed there from all sections to make their fortunes, a young fellow whom I had met who lived at Lakeview, induced his friends to grubstake him for half the profits, agreeing to bring back a bushel of gold. A half dozen of his friends chipped in and raised a few hundred dollars and started him off. When he reached there at the end of the season, the weather was cold and he found it quite different from a steam-heated flat to which he had been accustomed. While others each morning hitched up their dogs to the sleigh; and with pick, shovel and provisions, started out thirty or forty miles from camp, looking for ore, he remained inside and ate his grub, looking out of the window. When spring came, most of the men had cleaned up a couple of thousand dollars, while he was obliged to send home for money enough to bring him back. After reaching home he informed the syndicate that it was impossible for him to locate any ore, it being such a cold and rough country. Instead of bringing back a "bushel of gold," as he had promised, he brought back a poor mouth and an empty stomach. I have now given you a few suggestions in regard to securing a job, and the way to hold the same is to work for your employer; interest yourself in his business, and show him how much you can make, not how much you can waste for him, and as fast as your services are worth more money, he will see that you get it. Be on hand at your job promptly and work as long as there is anything to do, and while those who have been watching the clock are discharged through the dull season, you will be holding a steady job. Years ago when I was in the tree business, with each team I worked a gang of four or five men throughout the city and suburbs, and the heavy trees I handled myself with a big pair of horses and a half dozen of willing men. While working, occasionally a stranger would appear and ask for a job, but he was usually told that we had all the help we wanted. In lifting some of the big trees we often found it hard work, and while tugging away he would volunteer his services and also get his shoulder under the long tree and help us out. After it was up, and while filling up the hole, he would notice an extra spade or shovel lying around which he would pick up and also assist in that part of the work, and before we were aware of the fact, he had his coat off and was doing as much work as any of the men. When noon came, I would take him into a saloon, together with the balance of my men, and buy them each a big schooner of beer and a large bowl of hot soup with plenty of white bread and butter, and that, together with what lunch they carried, made them a good dinner. I would also give the man a quarter so that if he wanted anything extra he had the price to buy it. When night came he inquired what I was paying, and I always asked him his price. In those days, the price for common labor was $1.50 per day, and he usually asked if that was too much. I then offered him $2.00 per day, telling him that if he was not worth that much money, I could not use him. The first night or two he usually requested fifty cents or one dollar to pull him through, which was always granted. When Saturday night came, one man drew $12.00, another $14.00, and some as high as $18.00, while he only had $6.00 or $8.00 coming and would hesitate. I would then inquire if that was correct, to which he would reply that he thought he had a dollar or two more coming, which was always paid. I seldom ever had a dispute with my men, and they were always willing workers; the difference was more than made up in extra work. While engaged in said business, the same dozen men remained with me from the time I commenced to the time I finished, a period of ten or twelve years. One of the best and most honest men I ever had in my employ, named Adolph Anthes, and who worked for me for over fifteen years, secured his job by wedging himself into my employ in just that manner. Honest hearts and willing hands are what the people want. Honest and willing men always find a ready market. THE SILLY SEASON. Beside the gently flowing stream They hold each other's hands and dream, At what you see; 'Tis not for us To interfere; The silly season Now is here. Now does the husband, weary man, He seeks to get a coat of tan, She wants to wear her Sunday best. And every time they leave the shore, And frail and weak; |