Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1847-10-08
Y 4 RI 4 I 7
Too much Money.


acknowledged he had quite as much mo-
new as he knew how to dispose of. had
called at his house one day, when a gen.
tleman urged him to large profit. GU
are right said he, as regards the proba-
bic result of the speculation, but | shall
not embark in it; have too much mo-
ney now This very uncommon remark
struck me most forcibly and, after the
gentleman had retired, | asked Mr.. P. to
explain. Yes said he in reply, | would
not cross the street to gain thousands /; L
should be happier man if my income
was less. | am old, and whatever L pos
sess will avail me naught - my daugh-
tiers are dead. and have sons, upon whom
i looked with fathers pride. My own
education had been neglected. and my
fortune was gained by honest labor and
prudent economy; had no time for study,
but determined that my onsshould have
every advantage. Each had the oppor-
tunity of gaining a fine classical educa-
ton, and then | gave them a choice of a
profession. The eldest would be phys
ician the second chose the law; the
third resolved to follow my footsteps as a
merchant This was very well i was
proud of my sons, and hoped that one day
| might see them distinguished, or at
least useful to their felIow-men. | had
spared no expense in their training they
never wanted money, for ! gave each a
liberal allowance. Never had men fairer
prospects of becoming honored and re-
spected, but look at the result. The phys
icidn has no patients, the lawyer not a
single client, and the merchant is above
visiting his counting house. In vain |
urge them to be more industrious. What
is the reply? sThere is no use in it. ia
Their we never shall want for money,
we know you have enough for us. In
stead of being active, energetic members
of society, nay sons are but diers, men OF
fashion and display. True, they have
few vices - perhaps not so many as their
associates they have never done any
thing 10 bring disgrace upon my name,
but had expected them to add to the lit
tie reputation [ had gained. 1t is not the
money that care for as my son says,
| have enough for all. But let the phys
ician attend to the poor, and the lawyer
see that Justice is done to those who have
not the means of paving the enormous
fees now required by the members of the
bar. The merchant may not need the
reward of his labors, but there are thou
sand benevolent institutions, to the sup
port of which it would be a pleasure TO
me to see him contribute. They would
at least be useful, each in his vocation, to
those around him now, selfish amuse-
ment Is their only aim. This IS the bur
then upon my heart, and this is the reason
of the remark YOU listened to- Had they
been obliged to struggle against difficult
ties TO gam their professions, and were
they now dependent on their own exer-
lions for support, my sons would have
gained honor TO themselves and me-
This is the experience of many rich
parent though all do not grieve at the
result. 1t has almost passed into a pro-
verb that :. nothing can be expected Of
rich mems sons !" and in looking about
us at the distinguished men of our own
day, how few do we find who have been
nursed into greatness.
The farmers son studies in intervals
snatched from active labor; he gains the
rudlments of thorough education from
well thumhed books which he cons over
by the floating flame of the winters fire,
or the misty light of the gray dawn. His
task is rende' ed doubly hard, inasmuch
as he Is without an instructor, and he
must unravel the most intricate truths,
simply by his OWN persevering efforts
At length his task is In u measure accom-
plShed, and the first step is gained but
new difficulty arises. He Is without
means, and must serve n long and tire
some apprenticeship as teacher, clerk,
or often the two combined, ere he can
save enough to enable him 10 enter col
lege. Three or four years of close study,
with the most rigid economy, brings him
to the threshold of active life, and should
he choose a profession. the same scene
must be in part enacted ere his object is
accomplished.
Mark well the contrast Which man.
think Won, is best fitted to succeed .
Surely not he who has been Graded in
luxury, and bribed along the path of know
ledge No, rather would we trust the
self-made man, who has already oyermas-
tered difficulties under which one less re-
solved would have fallen and though the
one may be favored by position, connec-
tons, and ample means, II is more than
probable that the other will look back on
him whom he has far outStripped in the
race of hfc.-NecPS Ga>ette.
A SoFr SUcKER.-Night before last
one of the thieying gentry went 10 mar
L