Part 25 (1/1)
”I guess no business is without its troubles,” observed Theo
”No business that is interesting,” answered Mr Croyden ”It is getting the better of such difficulties that gives zest toit a constant field for ht when during the golden days of Venetian history they recognized the intellectual status of glass-makers, silk-makers, and the like; and accorded to such men the same honors they did to those of noble rank For, after all, the noble was only what chance had made him; while the skilled artisan hat he had , to reed Theo
”I alad you feel that way,” Mr Croyden said, ”because I am anxious to have you view this industry not alone froer aspect Did I not believe that I was doing so dishes I should speedily becoth I a into it But every honorable industry is far more than that It is a monument to the men who conceived it and to those who little by little developed the wonderful machinery that makes it possible Each perfect product it turns out voices the skill, patience, and faithfulness of scores of worke-earner--the means by which he and his family are protected from want and unhappiness Hence every conscientious ives to the world so that it needs, and he furnishes his fellow-ht it is no unworthy calling to be a manufacturer”
”I think both the man at the head of the fir their bit,” put in Theo
”The one is dependent on the other,” affirmed Mr Croyden ”It is a matter of equality In fact, it would be hard to tell which of the two is the more indebted to the other--the employer or the ereat plant I blunder, it is true; I suppose we all do that But I sincerely believe labor should have an honored place, and so far as I aive it one If I had a boy,” Mr Croyden's voice faltered, ”If I had a boy,” he repeated ht up to touch his cap to the laborer as well as to the capitalist; and he should be made to feel that the trade school is as praiseworthy a place as is the college The two simply furnish different types of education”
Theo acquiesced
”Your father and I represent these two types,” continued Mr Croyden ”When you grow up you will have to choose which of them you will follow I know you will choose wisely and well But you et that it is the ideal behind what you do that transforlowing, living, interesting career You can be a routine doctor, seeing only the dull round of aches and pains; or you can be the Great Physician who continues God's work of healing on the earth As for the etter who crowds down and ignores those who have helped him to amass his wealth; or you can be the profit-sharer and co-worker It all rests with yourself It will not be the fault of the task you choose but the littleness of your vision if you dwarf your life and find your horizon s afterward Theo Swift remembered those words, and when on his twenty-second birthday he entered the Trenton mills, there to be trained to assume a partnershi+p in the business, it ith the aieneration