2831. Connection

In small towns "connection" has a great deal to do with the success of the shopkeeper There are, accordingly, special cases which we are not prepared to discuss. For instance, if a shopkeeper proposed to set up a rivalry against an old-established and respectable tradesman, we should certainly feel inclined to advise him to pause in the attempt. But if he replied that his "connections" were sufficient to support him, that might be expected to overrule our objection. Connections, however, must not be too implicitly relied upon. They are, us a general rule, more exacting and less easily satisfied. than the general public. We have known many an unfortunate victim to the promisee of "connections" open with the most growing prospects, and close with the most disastrous results.

2832. Your "connection," of course, expects you to give credit.

2833. Your "connection" is surprised that you should be so importunate about your little account.

2834. Your "connection" reminds you of certain obligations that you are under.

2835. Your "connection" finds that your goods are not a bit better or cheaper than other tradesmen's.

2836. Your "connection," after a little while, finds positive disparagement against your goods upon comparing them with articles bought by a friend from another establishment.

2837. Your "connection" consequently goes over to that other establishment, too often forgetting to pay your "little account."

2838. And when you venture to remonstrate, you lose your "connection."

2839. Integrity

The sole reliance of the shopkeeper should be in the integrity of his transactions, and in the civility of his demeanour. He should make it the interest and the pleasure of the customer to come to his shop. If he does this, he will find the very best "connections," and so long as he continues this system of business, they will never desert him.

2840. Family Connections

It is always creditable, but not always easy, for a man to stand well with his family. However creditable it may be to stand well with one's own kindred, this relationship should never be looked upon as an element of business. It is almost certain to fail. Your shop doors should be thrown open to everybody, and you should look to the world for your support.

2341. Religious Connections

Religious connections very naturally form in small towns, where the mind and habits of every man are known to his towns men. However much this may prevail, a man should never seek to make a show of" religion the means of worldly

Progress. If he does so, he will fail, 'he truth will out at some time or the other, and he will be regarded as a black sheep. And having built up his expectations, and regulated his expenditure with certain views of support, he moment that support is withdrawn, own the whole superstructure will come. In these days of toleration a man may hold any religious opinions, if he do so becomingly. There should be no admixture of tea and theology, or of cheese and creed. The shop is the place wherein to practice the principles taught in the place of worship, but it is not the place to traffic in under the cloak of a religious reputation.

2842. Political Connections

The same with politics. A good citizen will discharge his duty to his town and the State conscientiously. Let him allow to others the freedom of opinion which he claims for himself, and there are few who will seek to interfere with him. It is generally your bigot and zealot that suffer for opinion-sake, because, being dogmatical, they bring persecution upon themselves. There are proper times when we have political duties to perform; let them be discharged conscientiously. But in the place of business let not the shopkeeper weigh the opinions of other men, as he would his own wares, in brass scales. Politics is the business of the State; fair dealing is the business of the shop-keeper; and while we are the last to say that man should not recognize and discharge political duties, we do most earnestly assert that he should neither seek nor bestow custom for the promotion of party purposes.

2843. Duties Of A Shopkeeper

He should cheerfully render his best labour end knowledge to serve those who approach his counter; and place confidence in his transactions; make himself alike to rich an 1 poor, but never resort to mean subtarfuge and deception to gain approbation and support. Ho should be frugal in his expenditure, that, in deriving profits from trade, lie may not trespass unduly upon the interests of others; he should so hold the balance between man and man that he should feel nothing to reprove his conscience when the day conies for him to repose from his labours and live upon the fruits of his industry. Let the public discover such a man, and they will flock around him for their own sakes.