"The sooner a man goes into business, the sooner he will be able to retire; that is, if he is baked done. If he ain't, he better let somebody do business for him. My boy, it's better to go into business too young than too old. If you happen to spill the beans, you've got the vim to pick them up again." "Well, Uncle Henry, if I have good luck this season, I'm going to make a break for myself." "Good luck, huh? If you're lookin' for luck to help you, you'll be so near-sighted you can't see a business chance across a narrow alley. If luck got you anything you might. There ain't no luck coming to any man that waits on it. Every man that's got any get-up in him always has bad luck. He brings it on himself, then he just beats luck out. There ain't no good luck. It's grit and judgment agin dam-fool notions. And grit and judgment wins out nearly every time. I'd rather drive a bad bargain than drive a dray. You can drive a dozen bargains a day. You can drive only one dray. One of your bargains may buck, the other eleven win out. A minstrel show is alright, but, mind, it's a lifetime job, going into business. You ought to know what you're doing. But, I'd thought you'd go into the circus business." "Well, I would, Uncle Henry, but I haven't got the capital. It takes more money than I ever hope to possess. Besides, I want a business wherein I can make a reputation for myself." "You better go into a business where you can make money. The reputation will make itself. If you can't make money, you can't make reputation." "But it's my ambition to have the biggest minstrel show in the country." "Well, you do that which you feel would be the most agreeable to you. When I went into the grocery business in Burlington, everybody behind my back predicted I would lose out. Everybody told me to my face I'd win out. Make up your mind to stand on your own judgment." Sam Flickinger, editor of the _Ohio State Journal_, wrote the first mention of the Al. G. Field Minstrels. He gave Alfred desk room in the job office of the _Journal_, of which he was manager and editor. The first advertising for the Al. G. Field Minstrels was printed in the job office of the _Ohio State Journal_. The dates and small bills have been printed in that office, or the successors of it, ever since. Almost every one of Alfred's friends advised him to abandon the idea of entering the minstrel business. His family were all opposed to it. This was the manner in which Alfred's declaration as to going into business seemed to be received by his friends. Col. Reppert of the B. & O. assured Alfred he would send him a ticket to any point he might require it from. Billy McDermott, probably fearing the Colonel might not get the ticket to him, presented Alfred with a pair of broad-soled low-heeled walking shoes.