The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-12
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS.
THE HAPPY MAN,


In walking down Second street one Friday
afternoon, on my way TO the arsenal, | found a
crack in my boot; and, recollecting the old
adage, that ga stitch IN time saves nlne," |
popped into the first cobber's shop l met to
get it mended. Uulooked-ior pleasures are
generally most relished, and l had no expec-
tation of meeting philosophical cobbler. Pull
ing off nay boot, looked at the man. What
an intelligent ceuntenance! What an express
sive eye There is truth in physiognomy, ex-
claimed to myself; that fellows brains are
not made of green peas.
AS he was fixing the boot, then thought of
a man born with capacities for intellectual
pleasure and improvement-lotty, loIdly man!
wasting his whole existence, pent up in
small room. knocking away witt his hammer,
and bending from morning till night over lap
stone and piece of leather. | took another
look at the man; and while the glorious sun
was rolling on in his golden course, and all ma
ture smiling in her most gorgeous and superb
scenery, wooing the gaze and filling the gazer
with sublime feelings, here, said l to myself
sits man perpetually. straining his eyes to
poke hogs bristle through a little hole.
What an employment for man capable, if
properly instructed, of measuring the distance
from this to Mercury 1t is impossible he can
be happy; he is out of his sphere. Just as he
had got his thread through the third hole
spoke 10 MIN frankly anu SAUL
"Your room is very small; are you happy
here?''
He answered, with some energy;-"Happy
yes; as happy as the day is long, and would not
exchange situations with Gen. Harrison, though
l am certain he viii be our President. | don't
interfere with politics, but know all about it. :"
"But are you happy in your employment.
confined all day in this very small room:"
eyes, certainly; the fact is, the half of the
-. =. L., 4 cor
a while myself humbugged about happiness;
but sitting on my stool and rejecting seriously
one day, got the secret. thought to be hap
by yod must be rich and great; have an in
conveniently large house, more furniture by far
than necessary, table grooming with every
thing; but | soon found out all that was stuff.
am happier here with my last and hammer
than thousands with their fine houses and
splendid equipage; and have great deal OF en- :.
joyment in looking out of my little cabin and
laughing at the tollies of the world. They
don't see me, and ii does them no harm; and
between you and me, the world are busy
pursuing mere shadows. One wants to be rich.
another to get ofhce-never satisfied; but here
/ am, naending old shoes, contented with my
lot and situation, and happier by far than a
king. Indeed, l am thankful that Heaven in
its wrath never made me king, for it's poor
business.
by THIS Time my boot was READY, ana WISH
ing TO prolong the conversation with man
who displayed so much real practical philoso
ply, said:
''Have you no distressing cares to perplex
you, no anxieties, no sleepless nights, no bills
TO meet, no pangs for yesterday, no fears for
Tomorrow
He stared at me a moment, and said, "No,
none. The only cares that have are comforts.
have wife the best in the world, and two
children, and that is enough of comfort for any
man to enjoy. As to bills, | have none to
meet, and never buy what l 10 not really
want As for the fears of Tomorrow, have
no fear, but trust in kind and ever-watchfi;l
Providence, believing that sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof and resignation to
Providence to be the truest system of Philoso :
ply"
What noble fellow, thought 1, to mend a
crack in boot Himself piece Of noble
workmanship l felt inwardly the truth OF
the saying, ''contentmentis kingdom" and af-
ter left nay philosophical cobbler, thought much
about him, and am satisfied that his philosophy
was sound land that mankind in general have yet
to learn the secret to be happy.
His situation in life is obscure, but
"Honor and fame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honor lies.'