Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-17
s ELECT TALE.
RICH AND POOR.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

..a- BY T. s. ARTHUR. .r
Our conversation said Mr.. Berton, gen
<leman who sat talking, one pleasant evening,
with his children, has brought to my mind the
story of discontented man, that once heard.
His name was Willis. He was always COM
planning and finding fault with Providence. -
Nothing happened just as he. wanted it. He
enjoyed fair income, the result of industry
and skill in his business but, although all his
real wants were supplied, he was far from be-
ing satisfied lH NHf a.
Then think he must have been a very un-
reasonable man. said William, the oldest son,
a lad in his fifteenth year. t.. .
Not more unreasonable than great many
Others; nor, peahaps, more unreasonable than
we all are, sometimes replied Mr.. Berton.-
But if remember rightly, wrote the story
down when heard it, and if can find it in my
secretary, / viii read it to you.' .r
Mr.. Berton went to his secretary, and a fter
searching among his old papers for some time,
said
Yes, here it is,' and he brought out few
sheets Of paper, from which he read the follow
ing story Of the
Man who found fault with Providence.
l think, said Mr.. Benjamin Willis, speak
ing to neighbor, that am as good as Mr.
Jones, and quite as deserving of prosperity as
he is. They say that Providence is impartial.
But it will be hard TO make me believe that
If it be so, why is it that the worst people have
generally the most of life's blessings; while
those who would do some good in the world
with money. if they had it, can scarcely get
enough to keep soul and body together,'
suppose it is all for the BEST replied the
neighbor. AT least, am willing to believe
it so. God is too wise to err in regard to his
creatures, and too good to be unkind to them.
My doctrine is, to do the best can-to do nv
duties in life faithfully and earnestly, and let
ihe result come out as it will
Il wish could think and feel so, but can t
replied Mr.. Willis. 1t is impossible to make
me believe that all that happens is best for me.
Do you think it was best for me lose thou
sand dollars last year by man who cheated
me out Of that sunni
Il suppose it was,' said the neighbor, or it
woulda't have happened
You can't make me believe that doctrine,
returned Mr.. Willis, shaking his head. 1t
was all for the best too, suppose, when fell
and broke my leg, and couldn't attend to my
business for three or four monthsr
No doubt of it. When get sick, and my
business suffers in consequence, or when Inject
with losses and disappointmeuts, say to my
self /" this is permitted for some wise purpose,
and will try and think it is blessing in dis
guise-'"
It's all very well for you if you can do it
but can't replied Mr.. Willis. don't be-
lieve in such blessings in disguise. They are
no blessings to me-
The time may come when you think differ
ently,' said the ncighbor.
Il doubt that very much, returned Mr.. Will
lis, and they then parted.
Mr. Jones, to whom the allusion was made,
had hired vessel. and sent out acargo of -four
TO the West Indies, upon which he had made
large sum Of money. At the same time that
his vessel sailed, Mr.. Willis sent one out, also
with cargo of -four, in expectation Of get
ting handsome return. 1t so happened that
the vessel of Mr. Jones reached its destination
four days earlier than that of Mr.. Willis, and
found the market almost exhausted. Mr..
Jones, of course, got high price. -Four YES
sells, all laden with -four, arrived the next day,
and overstocked the market. When the car
90 of Mr.. Willis arrived, prices had fallen so
low that his -four scarcely brought its COST
This was what had worried his mind, and set
him complaining against Providence. He
Mr.. Jones, and felt quite angry with the
Great Disposer of all events for favoring Mr..
Jones and disappointing him in his scheme of
profit.
MIR. JONES' said he to himself, is selfish
and bad man, and does no good at all with his
money; and yet, everything he touches is turn
e6 into gold. while |, who would make much
better use of riches, if had them, am permit
ted barely to make aliving. They needn't tell
nae about wise. good and impartial Providence! |!
/ don t believe word of it,
In this state of mind Mr.. Willis returned
home in the evening His children ran out to
meet him. when they saw him coming; but he
had no kind words for them. His wife stood
at the door to welcome him, but he did not re-
turn her pleasant smile. There was warm
fire 10 the CRATE. and soon after he came in,
cheerful lights burned in the family sitting
room His comfortable chair was moved up to
its usual place by one of his children another
brought his slippers; and all seemed rejoiced
that he had come home again, and were anx-
ION. 10 show the love that was in their hearts.
But all these great blessings, freely given by a
GOOD Providence, Mr.. Willis did not then feel
70 be blessings, because he had been dissap-
pointed in the adventure he had made with a
cargo of -four.
- By the time the ,tes-bell rang, the cold and
silent manner of Mr.. Willis had caused his
children to shrink from him. Two Of them
had taken their books and were reading, and
tha two Youngest had stolen quietly away, and
sesssd themselves at distance. NJ. cheerful
conversation passed afonnd the table at tea
time. for MIR, Willis had nothing to say and a
sjnele glance At his face was enough 70 check
in the children oil desire to speak. y. 81. !.