Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-09-09
UNION AND AMERICAN.
Success in Life.

1t is the peculiar vice Of our age and country to
put false estimate the mere acquisition of rich
es. do not undervalue either wealth or the dill
gence and enterprise often exercised in its at
| tainment l would not say word to throw doubt
on the importance of acquiring such measure of
this worlds goods as to render one independent,
and able to assist others. The young man who
thinks he may himself as he sees fit, at the
same time throwing the burden of his support on
others or leading precarious life on the verge of
debt and bankruptcy, is dishonor to his species
But assert that the too common mistake, which
makes man leok upon the acquisition OF a fortune
or the having fine and fashionable house, as con-
stltuting success in life, IS extremely pernicious
Success in life consists il The proper and harmo i
GUS development of those faculties which God has
given US. Now, we have faculties more impor ant
to our welfare than that of maeing money-facul-
ties more conducive to our happiness, aud to our
health OF body and soul. There are higher and
better modes Of activity than those which are ex-
hibited in multiplying dollars. Men can leave to
their childrena be ter patrmony than money; they
can leave to them the worth of good example,
good habits, religious faith, true estimate of
the desirable things of this lie resources of mind
and heart, which will shed sunshine on adversty,
and give grace to prosperous fortune. sit is not
wealth which is deserving of homage, but the vir-
tues which man exercises in the slow pu suit of
wealth-the abilities so called FORTH the self denals
so imposed"
have heard of two brothers, whose father died
leaving them five hundred dollars apiece. 81 will
take this money, and make myself rich man, sad
Henry, the younger brother. 81 will take this
money and make myselfa good man." said George,
the elder. Henry, who knew little beyond the
multiplication table, abandoned all thoughts Of go
ing to school, and began by pedlling goo Is, in a
small way, over the country. He was shrewd and
quick to learn what he gave his attention to; and
be gave all his attention to making money. He
succeeded In one year his FIVE hundred dollars
had become thousand. In FIVE years it had grown
to be twenty thousand and at the age OF ff y he
was worth a million. George rememb red the
words of the wise man: "With all thy gettinqs
get understanding" He spent two-thirds of his
money in going to school, and acquiring taste for
solid knowledge He then spent the remainder of
his patrimony in purchasing few acres OF land in
the neighborhood of thriving city. He resolved |
on being farmer.
After lapse of thirty FIVE years. the two broth
ers met. 1t was at Georges house. bright, |
vigorous, alert man, was George, though upwards
offfty-ive years old Henry, though several years
younger, was very infrm. He had kept in his |
counting room long after the doctors had warned |
him to give up business and now he found himself |
stricken in health beyond repair. But that was
not the worst. He was out of his element wheL ,
not making money. George took him into the IL |
brary, and showed him fine collection Of books. |
Poor Henry had never cultivated taste for read |
ing. He looked upon the books with ne more in |
terest than he would have looked on so many !
bricks. George took him into his garden, but |
Henry began to cough, and said he was afraid of |
the east wind. When George pointed out to him |
a beautiful elm tree, he only cried "Pshaw!"-
George took him into his green house. and talked |
with enthusiasm of some rare flowers, the beauty
of which seemed to give the farmer great pleasure
Henry shrugged his shoulders and yawned, saying: |
AT! l do not care for these things" George
asked him if he was fond of paintings and eugrav-
ings. NO MOI Don't trouble YOURSELF said
Henry. 81 can't tell one daub from another
"Well, you shall hear my daughter Ed tn play the
piano. sae is no ordinary performer, assure you"
NOW don't brother--don't if you love me- said
Henry beseechinglyi a never could endure music"
But what can do TO amuse you? VIII you take
a rider" II am afraid of horse. But il you will
drive me carefully down to your village bauk,
will stop aud have q chat witn the president."-
Poor Henry Money was the one thing upper
most in his mind. TO it he had sacrificed every
other good thing. When, few days afterwards,
he parted from his fal mer brother, he la his hand
on his shoulder and saiG: "Ge2rge, you can just
support yourself omfor,ably oa the interest of
yaer money, and hRve got cnou n To buy up the
whole Of your town, bank and a-and vet your
life has been a success, and mine dead laiure.'-
Sad, but true words Osborne