An [Transcriber’s Note:  The original text reads ‘employe’] employee should not confine himself to his mere obligatory duties.  He should be ready to work sometimes over hours or in other departments if it is desired of him.  Willingness to work is one of the finest qualities in a character, and will compensate for many other deficiencies.

MEMORY.

This faculty, always so useful, is pre-eminently so to the business man.  It must be both retentive and quick.  By proper training this faculty may be so cultivated that names, dates and events to a surprising number may be readily recalled.  The ability to greet a customer by calling him by name is considered very valuable in any class of business.  It makes a very agreeable impression when a man who has not seen us but once or twice, and who is not expecting us, meets us promptly as we enter his store, with, “Why, Mr. ——­, how do you do?  Glad to see you.  When did you leave Newark?” We feel as if we had occupied that man’s thoughts since we saw him before.  He appreciates us, and we feel like patronizing him.  Whereas, on the other hand to meet a customer with a blank, inquiring expression, and greet him with, “Your face is familiar, but I can’t recall your name.” is unpleasant and tends to drive away custom.  Every hotel keeper knows the value of this greeting of customers.  Facts, figures and dates are very necessary to remember in business, and these often form the basis of a business transaction or venture by which large profits are made.  Superior ability in remembering prices and their fluctuations has been the secret of more than one brilliant success.

Desultory reading injures the memory, while close application to a subject, recalling the various points therein, tends greatly to improve this faculty.  The clerk or employee [Transcriber’s Note:  The original text reads ‘employe’] in receiving instructions from his principal should endeavor to impress every point clearly on his mind, and retain them there until they are carried out in action.  Carelessness and forgetfulness often causes the discharge of otherwise worthy and competent young persons, as employers do not like to repeat their orders.

PROMPTNESS.

A very essential element in the character of the business man is promptness.  Filling all engagements at exactly the appointed time, answering letters or forwarding goods with promptness, the man of business finds that much more can be accomplished and with far greater accuracy, than by a loose system of putting off till tomorrow, or according to convenience.  Not only so, but competition in business is such that the merchant or tradesman who does not deal with promptness can hardly expect to hold his custom.  Young men starting out in the world should form the resolution of doing everything on time.  Better to be ahead in the performance of duties than behind.  This promptness then acts as a stimulant in itself, and is oftentimes the means of winning success in an enterprise.