his services will receive proper recognition and value. But this
happens only in a very small minority of cases. In the vast majority of
cases where the cry of inappreciation is heard, it is generally the
fact that the crier is unworthy of more than he receives.

No employer can tell a young man just what his prospects are. That is
for the young man himself to demonstrate. He must show first what is in
him, and then he will discover for himself what his prospects are.
Because so many young men stand, still does not prove that employers
are unwilling to advance them, but simply shows that the great run of
young men do not possess those qualities which entitle them to
advancement. There are exceptional cases, of course; but as a rule a
man gets in this world about what he is worth, or not very far from it.
There is not by any means as much injustice done by the employer to the
employee as appears on the surface. Leaving aside all question of
principle, it would be extremely poor policy for a business man to keep
in a minor position a young man who, if promoted, would expand and make
more money for the house.

* * * * *

And right here a word or two may perhaps be fitly said about the
element of "luck" entering into business advancement. It is undeniable
that there are thousands of young men who believe that success in
business is nothing else than what they call "luck." The young men who
forge ahead are, in their estimation, simply the lucky ones, who have
had influence of some sort or other to push them along.

When a young man gets into that frame of mind which makes him believe
that "luck" is the one and only thing which can help him along, or that
it is even an element in business, it may be safely said that he is
doomed to failure. The only semblance to "influence" there is in
business is found where, through a friendly word, a chance is opened to
a young man. But the only thing that "influence" can do begins and ends
with an opportunity. The strongest influence that can be exerted in a
young man's behalf counts for very little if he is found to be
incapable of embracing that chance. And so far as "luck" is concerned,
there is no such thing in a young man's life or his business success.
The only lucky young man is he who has a sound constitution, with good
sense to preserve it; who knows some trade or profession thoroughly or
is willing to learn it and sacrifice everything to its le