Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-11-19
THE HAPPY MAN.


Tn walking down Second street on Fri
day afternoon, on my way 10 the Arsenal,
found a crack in my boot; and recolect'
ing the old adage. that "a stitch in time
saves nine" popped into the first cob
bler's shop / met 10 get it mended. Un-
looked for pleasures are generally most
relished, and had no expectation of meet
ing with philosophical cobbler.-Pulllns
off my bool, looked al tho man. What
an expansive forehead What an inreli.
gent coun,enance! What an expressive
eye! There is truth in physiology, ex-
claimed TO myself-lhat fellows brains
are nol made Of green Peas!
As he was fixing lie boot, then thought
of Il man born with capacities for Intellect
ual pleasure and improvemeht--lofty,
lordly man wasting his whole existence
pcnt up in a small room, knocking away
with bis hammer, AID bending from morn.
ing till night over lapstone and a piece
of leather. | look another look OF The
man: and, while the glorious sun was
rolling on in its golden course, and all Ma
ture smiling in her most gorgeous and ST.
pcrb scenery, wooing the gaze, and filling
The gazer with sublime feelings, here, said
| to myself, sits man pcrpclually strain
ing his eyes to poke Il hog hrisIc through
a little hole. What an employment for
a man capable, if properly instructed, OF
measuring the distance from this to Mercu-
ry! It is impossible he can he happy !;
he is oni Of his sphcre.-Just as Ire hal
got the thread through the third hole, I
spoke TO him and said. Yonr room is
very small: are you happy here :" He
answered with some energy, Happy I!
yes, as happy as the day is long. aud
would not exchange situations with Gen.
Harrison, though ] am certain he will be
our Presirlcnl. don't Interfere with pol
itics, but know all about it," But are
you happy in your employment, confined
all day in This small room !"
Yes, certainl y; The fact is, the half OF
The world don't know the way to he happy.
! was Gnr while myselfhumbugged about
happiness; bur. sitting on my stool and
seriously refleciine one day. | gnt the Sc
cret. | thought TO be happy, you must
he rich and great, have m inconvtnicntIy
large house, more furniture by far than
necessary. n table sroaning with every
thing; bui J soon found out all that was
stuff. am happier here with my last
and hammer than thousands with their fine
houses. and splendid equipaee; and have
great deal of enjoyment in looking out
of my little cabin and laughing at The
follies Of the world. They don't see me:
and it does them no harm and, between
you and me, the world are busy in pursu-
ing mere shadows. One wants to be rich,
another 10 get into o1icc-ncvcr satisfied;
but here am !, mrndmg oM shofs, conten-
ted with my LOT and situation, and happier
by far than King indeed, am thankful
thar Heaven in its wrath never made ME
a King. for it's poor business"
Bv this time my boot was ready. and
wishing 10 prolong the conversation with
man who displayed so much real practical
philosophy, l said, "Have you no dis
lrcssing cares TO vex you, no anxielies. no
sleepIess nights. no bills to meet, no pangs
for yesterday. no fears for Tomorrow 7"
y" No, nom.-Thc only cares which have
are com forts: have wife, The best in
the world. and two children, and that is
enough of comfort for any one man 10 en-
joy. AS to bills, have none to meet. and
never buy on credit. and never buy whaf
I do not really want. As for the fears Of
to-morrow, have no fear. but trust in a
kind and ever waichful Providence, be-
lievins that sufficient unto The day is The
evil thereof and resignationto 70 Providence
to be the trucst philosophy What no.
BILE fellow, said ], 10 mend a crack in
boot! Himself piece of noble work
manship! felt inwardv the truth ofihe
saying. conrcntmenl is a kingdom :" and
after left my philosophical cobhlrr, 1 tho,
much about him. and an satisfied that his
philophv was sound. and that mankind in
general have yet 10 learn the secret to be
happy.
fIis situation in life is obscure, but
" Honor and fame from no condition rise;
g Act well your part, thrrn all the honor lies"
st. Louis Bulletin.