Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

You watch the markets and take advantage of every fall in prices. Perhaps there is a small telegram in an out of the way place in your morning newspaper, which intimates that there is going to be a large shipment to market of potatoes, peaches, cabbages and so on. Down you go and put in an order at a small price and you get the product. Or, you have a lot on hand and a glut will lower prices. Up you get and down you go to sell out your lot at less than the market rates to those who have not yet seen the approach of a glut.

You do not have to wait for breakfast or for anything—just travel and hustle.

The weather report mentions a probable frost. Down you go and mark up the product likely to be affected. Everybody—every early bird is doing it, and it is the custom of business men to do this.

The worm picked up by the early bird is the man who says “Pooh! I don’t believe there is going to be any glut or any frost.”

This is a mighty big country and things are coming and going all the time. There is a big production and it is crowded to the point where there is liable to be a frost—that is a deficiency in the market, and then you have a glut. Keep your eyes and ears open and watch the market reports.

OPEN A SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT

If you ever hope to be considered a thrifty citizen, a man to be looked up to, you must exhibit some financial standing.

You can do this by opening a savings bank account. A man who has a bank account is never ignored, whether his account is large or small. It means something substantial, and you feel more like holding up your head and looking at the sun without a smoked glass.

Many people save their money, or think they do, by hiding it away in the bottom of a trunk, burying it, or carrying it around in their pocket. These people generally lose their money because it is as easily accessible to others as well as to themselves.

Banks are safe institutions at the present day, but not a bank run by private parties for their own benefit. You must not be deceived by glowing promises of returns on your money, for they always come from those who are scheming to get it away from you without returning it.