Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-09-02
:. From the Lady's Book.
WAY TO BE HAPPY.
BY T. S. ARTHUR

"ALwAYs busy and always singing at your work
you are the happiest man know This was salt
by the customer of an Industrious batter named Par
ker, as be entered his shop.
81 should not call the world rcry happy one If
am the happiest it contains" replied the halter
pausing in his work and turning his contented-look
ing face towards the individual who had addressed
him. 81 think l should gain something by an ex-
change with you"
"Why do you think sof'
''You have enough to live upon, and are not COM
PEELED to work early and late, as am
81 am not so very sure that you would be the gal
ner. One thing is certain, that never sing at my
work.
"Your work. What work have you to dor
"Oh, Fun always busy"
"Doing whatf'
"Nothing; and believe it is much harder work
than making hats"
81 would be very willing to try my hand at that
kind of work if could afford it. There would be no
danger of my getting tired or complaining that had
too much to do
"You NAV think so: but few weeks experience
would be enough to drive you back to your shop,
glad to find something for your hands to do and your
mind to rest upon
SIf you have such high opinion of labor, MIR.
Steele, why don't you GO to workf'
81 have no motive for doing sor
ais not the desire for happiness motive OF sutf-
cient power. You thiak working will make any one
happy
81 am not so sure that it will make any one hap
DIV, but believe that all who engaged In regular
e,npoyments much more contented than are those
who have nothing to do. But no one can be regular
Nv empoyed who has not some motive for exertlon
mere desire for happiness is not the right motive;
for notwithstanding man, when reasoning on the
subject, may be able to see that unless he Is employ
ed in doing something useful to his fellows he cannot
be even contented, yet when he follows out the I'M
pulses of his nature, if not compelled to work, ne
will seek for relief from the uneasness he feels In
almost anything else especially Is he inclined to run
into excitements instead of turning to the quiet and
more satisfying pursuits of ordinary hfe."
eff | believed as you do l would 60 into business
at once" said the halter. "You have the means'
and might conduct any business you choose TO COM
mence, with case and comfort"
al have often thought of doing so but have llv-
cd an idle life SO long that afraid should soon
grow tired of business"
"No doubt you would, and if you will take my add
vice you will let well enough alone. Enjoy your
good fortune and be thankful for it. AS for me,
hope to see the day when retire from business
and live easy the remainder Of my life.
This was, in fact, the hatter's highest wish, and
he was working industriously with that end in view
He had already saved enough money to buy couple
of very good houses, the rent from which was five
hundred dollars per annum. As soon as he could
accumulate sufficient to give him clear income OF
two thousand dollars his intention to quit bust
ness and live ~gentleman all the rest Of his days.
He was in very fair way of accomplishing all he
desired in a few years, and he did accomplish it.
Up to the time of his retiring from business which
he did at the age of forty-three Parker had passed
through his share of trial and affection. One of his
children did not do well, and one his favorlte boy,
had died. These events weighed down his spirits for
time but no very long period elapsed before he was
again singing at his work-not, 1t Is true, quite SO
gayIy as before but still with expression of con-
tentment He had, likewise, his share of those mi
nor crosses in life which fret the spirit, but the i'm
preston they made was soon efaced.
In the final act of giving up, he felt much great
erreuctance than he had supposed would be the case
and very unexpectedly began to ask himself what he
should do all the day after he had longer shop
in which to employ himself The feeling was but
momentary, how ever. 1t was forced back by the
idea of living at his ease; of being able to come and
go just as it suited his fancy; to have no care of bu-
siness, nor any of it's perplextes and anxites. This
thought was delightful.
"If were you l would 60 into the country and
employ myself on little FARM" said friend to the
halter. "You will find it dull work in town, with
nothing your hands to do.'
The halter shook his head "No, no." said he, sI
have taste for farming; it is too much trouble
am tired of work, and want little rest during the re-
mainder of my life"
Freedom from labor was the golden idea in his
mrd, and nothing else could find entrance. For
a few days after he had fully and finally got clear
from all business and was, to use his own words,
free man, he drank of liberty almost to ntoxcation
Sometimes he would sit at his window, looking out
upon the hurryng crowd, and marking with pity the
care written upon each face; and sometimes he would
walk forth to breathe the free air and everything
to be seen that could delight the eye.
Much as the halter gorcd In his freedom and boas-
ted Of his enioyments after the first day OF two he