The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-03-17
Youths Department.
NoRTTJNE MADE by PICKING UP A PIN

FORTUNE MADE D1 IiN'hilh " - i'''
Important results often follow from the most till
ing incidents A remarkable cnse Of this kind Is re-
lated in English paper respecting lHll'e' the
French banker, and which was tho foundation OF the
immense fortune lie afterwards accumulated When
he came to Paris in l7ss, the extent Of hia ambition
was 10 find a situation in banking bOuse, and TO nj
tain this object, he called NJ PeuegeauS, the reh
Swiss banker, to whom he had letter Of introduce
ton The gentleman had just tnkon possession oil
the hotel Mad'Ilc Gurnard, which had been put up
in lottery by that lady and won by the fortunate
banker It was to this charming habltalion' wmch
has sinoe boon demolished, TINT NJ. Lufilte puid his
first visit in Paris, and, il were, took his first step
in the Partisan world. The young provncnl-Poor
and modest, mid and anxious entered by the gate
way which had witnessed 40 many gaietes OF the
last century lie was introduced into the boudor OF
the danseuse then became the cabinet Of tho banker,
and there modestly stated the object Of his visit.
SIT Is impossible for me to admit you into my o.
tablishment least for the present, replied the bnn-
ISer, call my Offices have their full complement. II
/ require any at future time, will see what
can be done, but in the mean time, ndvise you to
seek elsewhere, for do not expect to have vacancy
for some time"
With disappointed heart, the young aspirant for
employment left the office, and while with down
cast look he aversed the court yard, he stopped 10
pick up pin which lay in his pnth, and which he
carefully stuck in the lapel of his coat. Little did
he think that this trivial action to decide his fu-
ture fate-but so it was
From the window Of his cabinet NJ. Perregeaux
had observed the action OF the young man. Tho
Swiss banker was one of those keen observers OF hu
,oon ocons ,bo os,i,nnte the yaue of circumstances
apparently triaing in themselves, and which would
pass unnoticed by the majority of mankind lie was
delighted with the conduct of the young stranger
In this simple action he the revelation OF char
ncter it was guarantee of love Of order and econ
omy certain pledge of all the qualities which should
be possessed by good fnancier. young man
who could pick up pin could not fail to make
good clerk merit the confidence ofhs employer, and
obtain high degree prosperity. In the evening Of
the same day. NJ. Lafitte received the following note
from NJ. Pcregeaux;-
"a place is made for you in my office, which you
may take possession os tomorrow morning"
The an,icipa,ions Of the banker not decev-
ed, The young LATTE possessed every desirable
quality, and even more than frs, expected. From
simple clerk he TO be cashier, then part
ner then head of the first banking house in Paris and
afterwards IN rapid succession, deputy ana Ites'-
dent Of tho Council OF Ministers, the highest point 10
which citizen may aspire.
On what a trhe does the fortune Of man some
zines depend. But for the simple incident of the
pin, NJ. Lafiuo would, perhaps, never have entered
the house Of W. Peregeaux; another employer might
not have opened to him so wide field Of action and
his tdlen,s and intelligence would not have been led
10 such magnificent results.
Little did NJ. PerregeauS think that the hand that
would pick up a pin that of man generous to
prodgaly in doing good-a hand always open 10
succor honorable misfortune. Never riches puc-
ed in better hands; never did banker prince make
more noble use of them Boston TrareHer