The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-30

rose Immediately, and putting on his ha
accompanied his mysterious guide.
Presently he found himself in an extensive
plain, crowded with vast number of men,
belonging to all the different professions in
the world. "Here." said Fortune, pointing
to the great assembage. "are many thous-
ands Of good men, either of whom will
change situations and property with you, e.
ven-handed at my command; you may there
fore make your choice" Frank thanked
his good friend; his eyes sparkled with
pleasure, as the crowd began to pass one
after another before him, and he could hard
ly refrain from jumping with joy, as hrs eyes
rested on the portly form of rich neighbour
of his, who was one Of the first to approach
him, and whose long purse he had often Bit
terly envied him.
"That is the man if you please" said
Frank, and at the beck of his companion, old
Mortgage stood by his side; and very COM
placently began to deliver up his deeds and
bonds, and obligations, and having done so.
Frank was about to run home with the glad
news, and get ready to put the old man in
possession of the little Farm but Mortgage
| lifted UP his equity leg, and Fortune called,
Here Frank, this goes with the rest; the
bargain is situation for situation. and the
equity foot gees with neighbour Mortgages
estate" Frank was thunder-struck; he
stared minute and then threw down the
bundle of papers, as man would drop q
hot dumping "I would not have the gout
(said he) for all the dale"
The next parsonage that arrested Franks
attention, was wealthy shipping merchant,
of the city. He was again in raptures-and
bent on the exchange. The merchant be-
gan to deliver inventories OF his property;
| Il %l IS r r
vessels at sea. These last constituted main
part of the clear estate and Frank never
knew the anxiety that follows the possession
OF such property till now; he remembered
the great storm but few days before; and
that he heard of the wreck of some vessels
on the shore. He hesitated-he trembled--
he turned to so, but he felt he should be for
ever unhappy and he once more declared
himself dissatisfied and that as yet he had
not found one whose situation was better
than his own.
Then a dashing young fellow who owned
the largest, richest and most elegant
| farm in all Annandale, presented himself,
and Frank was sure of being suited. He
had often envied Johns fine horse and curri-
Gle and thought to be farmer after that
sort would be worth living for. But when
the young buck came to deliver up the title
paid, for half dozen years, was enclosed
in it; enough to swallow two thirds of the
estate, and horses and curricle, in the bar
gain-Frank drew back. "No, no, (said he)
the Dairy is clear of debts, and don't slip
through my fingers this way"
Thus it turned out with seme hundreds
more who were presented as candidates for
change of situation with Frank. Though
these were taken promiscuously from rich
to poor-farmers, mechanics. professional
men, &c. Some were incumbcred with
debts; others with diseases that belonged to
their necessary mode of life; some had one
troublesome another difficulty, and Frank
in the end was thoroughly convinced he
would never be able to better his condition
on the whole by an exchange; and express
ed his perfect satisfaction with his own con-
dition.
Take then home with you, (said For
tune) this truth: none are perfectly happy
in this world; few comparatively so. In ev-
cry situation there are difficulties to be en-
countered; things unpleasant to be endur-
ed; and he is the happiest man, who deter
mines to be contented with what he has, in
stead of troubling his head about what he
has not. You can see but the outside of 9TH
ers; you know nothing of the secret troub-
les which perplex every bosom. Try to be
happy-and you will be as happy as your
neighbours"
Frank walked from his sleep just as For
tune had finished this speech; and has ever
since been a changed man. There is not
at this day more merry fellow in all An
nandale.