The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-02-18

l
J be brought before him.
t 1t was cheerful apartment; a bright fire
$ blazed on the hearth, there were books and
, newspapers on the shelvesand DESK and wine
on the table. The cottager smiled as he en-
tered, for poor as he was himself, he was glad
to think the son of his benefactor must be
, happy in the enjoyment OF so comfortable an
, apartment. Albums gruif voice startled
, him.
so am, believe, now that I think Of it,
: replied the cottager, with a guilty look. Il
am pretty generally in good spirits, and
hope you will pardon me, since / never had
, any idea of giving offence. Really, am a
poor man, and suppose have no right to be
always happy; and if it displeases you, sir,
will try and not be SO happy in future
al forgive your insolence," growled the
misanthrope, imagining Jarvis TO bea great
deal more salirical than the poor man had any
idea Of being, "sit down, sir, and tell me your
secret"
"My secretl"
"Yes, Jarvis"
The cottagcr scratched his head. Auburn
gathered his brows.
| "lndced, sir, have no secret" said the for
mer frankly.
"The secret of your happiness, Jarvis-tell
me what makes you always so happy"
"Oh, sir-indeed, sir-excuse me, bu. |
can'ttcl, for never thought of the thing be-
fore.'
"Lsten to me-" said the heir of Album
House in a suppressed voice. "Twelve years
| bay I ;,, rr ,bok
piness. Sometimes l have thought it was
found at last; but howsoever fair the fruit, it
has turned to ashes on my lips. weary of
everything-even my joval comrades, who
make it their study to counterfeit happiness
| have dismissed in disgust. | have tried
books but they do not interest me. take no
pleasure now in the society of women, and
wine has ceased to warm my heart. Friend
Jarvis" added the wretched man, earnestly,
81 have made you a confidant of my sorrows,
that you may teach me the secret OF happiness.
Do it, and name your rewardif it be to take
my place here in this magnificent house, and
to give me yours, and happiness, in the cot
tage under the hill" a
The cottager was much embarrassed. He
scratched his head and screwed up his mouth
in great vari ETY. of shapes; and at length
he said slowly and thoughtlully-
81 don't know what to say, SIR unless
tell you when am least happy. If am idle,
| or allow myself to envy any body, or to desire
any thing cannot have, then feel uneasy
| like, and if suffer myself 10 speak unkindly
to Polly or the childrca, I an cure to be mis-
cradle afterwards. Now1'll tell you when
am happiest-that's when | am doing all |
can to make others happy-when am thank
full for what God gives me, and contented
with my lot. So should say, if there is
secret, TO KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAR, AND
TO LOVE AND LABOR FOR THE HAPPINESS OF
OTHERS"
Album cast down his eyes before the open
and cheerful and animated countenance of the
cottager.
After a moments reflection he said
"With my experience in the world, am
satisfied, my friend, that you have given me
the true secret Of happiness: and although it
may be too late for me to profit by it, will
reward you with any boon in my power to
bestow."
"Oh, sir cried the cottager, quickly, 81 ask
i desire no reward-only let me see you
happy, and shall consider myself richly re-
paid for anything could do for you."
"And if you do not have the happiness of
seeing me happy" suggested Mr.. Album,
searching the open face of the poor man with
his piercing eyes-"then you will not be re-
paid for your trouble"
"And have not been warming myself by
your beautiful fire all this time!" replied Joe
Jarvis-"and haven't you been impressing on
my mind truth which am sometimes near
forgettingr
Sand what is that!"
"That happiness does not depend on wealth
and station, and that it is often better to be a
poor peasant than powerful prince"
"Jarvis!" exclaimed the heir of Album,
House, earnestly, "you are an honest, sensi-
BILE fellow, and more of philosopher than all
the dusty calf-skin pedants that cucumber the
| sholvosi"
"Oh, sir!'-
"For my part have deserved to be unhap-
py. My selfshness has been its own punish
ment. have even hated you because saw
you happy ask your forgiveness"
81 forgive you with all my heart" cried the
cottager.
sand from this day." added the heir of AL
burn House, "the twenty acres of which |
have so cruelty deprived you, are yours again;
and here, my good friend, is something to
make your children happy"
Poor Joe Jarvis would have refused the
purse Of gold, but Album urged it upon him,
and would not permit him to go away without
it. The cottager almost wept for joy and
thankfulness.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, 81 told Polly it would
all be right with us in the end!"
Having dismissed the cottager, Album pass
ed the remainder of the day in meditatng on
what he had heard. need not say how much
he regretted the twelve years he had thrown
away in worse than fruitless search after
happiness, and how ardently he desired to
profit by poor Joe's philosophy.
"But il is too ate!" he said; "dissipation,
selfish pursuits and misanthropy have untitled
me for happiness"
Yet Album experienced certain feelings of
satisfaction, such us he had not known fore