Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1853-12-10

A WAY TO BE HAPPY.

"Always busy and al Ways singing at
your work you are the haPpiest man
know" This was said by the custo-
mer of an industrious halter named
Psiker, as he entered his shop.
81 should not call the world Uery
happy one if | am the happiest man 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 | should gain
something by an exchange with YOU"
'Why do you think so 2
you have enough to live upon, and
are not compelled to work early and late,
as / am
Il am not so verv sure that you would
be the gamer. One thing is certain, |
never sing at my work.
Your work? What work have you
to dog
.Oh, I'm always busy
'Doing whatp
.Nothing; and l believe it is much
harder work than making hats
Il would be very willing to try my
hand at that kind Of work if could af-
ford it. There would be no danger of my
getting tired or complaining that l had
too much to do
You may think so buta 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.'
slf you have such high opinion of
labor, Mr.. Steele, why don't you go to
work Z
Il have no motive for doing So
is not the desire for happiness mo-
tive Of sufficient power You think
working will make any one happy
Il am not so sure that it will make any
one happy, but | believe that all who are
engaged in regular employments are
much more contented than are those who
have nothing 10 do. But no one can be
regularly employed who has not some
motive for exertion. A 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 employed 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, he will seek for relief from the
uneasiness 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
iife.'
'lf believed as you do would 60 in
to business at once said the halter.
'Yon have the means, and might conduct
any business you chose to commence,
with ease and comfort
sIhave often thought of doing so but
I have lived an idle life so long that am
afraid l should soon grow tired of bust.
ness"
"No doubt you would, and if you will
take my advice you will let we'll enough
alone. Enjoy your good fortune and be
thankful for it. As for me, I hope to see
the day when can 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
syith that end in view. He had already
saved enough money to buy couple oi
very good houses, the rent from which
was five hundred dollars per annum. As
soon as he could accumulate sufficient tc
give him clear income of two thousand
dollars, his intention was to quit business
and live g gentleman all the rest Of his
days. He was in very fair way of ac
complishing all he desired in few years
and he did accomplish it.
Up to the time Of his retiring from bus
iness, which he did at the age of forty
three, Parker had passed through hi'
share Of trial and af1liction. One Of hi
children did not do well, and one, his ia
vorite boy, had died. These eveuu
weighed down his spirits for time, bu
no very long period elapsed before he wa
again singing at his work knot, it is true
not quite SO gaily as before, but still wit
expression of contentment. He had
likewise, his share Of those minor cross
es in life which fretshe spirit, but the i'm
preston they made was soon efIaced.
In the final act OF giving up, he felt
much greater reluctance than he had sur
posed would be the case, and very une,
pectedly began TO ask himself what h
should do all the day, after he had n
longera shop in which to employ himsel