Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-17

'.Rich and honored, indeed" exclaimed
a voice behind us; ''you will remain good
for-nothing fellow all your life"
I started, and looked round in confusion,
when saw that the prophet of evil was
venerable old man, leaning on tree, and
listening tremendously to our boyish con-
versation.
"No, my boy" continued he, earnestly,
"you will never become as rich and honored
as good Jacques Laftte; and will tell you
the reason "you threw taoo pins away with
great disdain, while he picked one up, and
owed his fortune to that circumstance
Take my word for it, the youth who does
not value pin will never become wealthy
man." / was speechless, and my eyes alone
betrayed my feelings, The kind old man,
for. such he was, in spite of his assumed
harshness. took seat beside US and spoke
thus:
s'Let me tell you the storyFof Monsieur
Laftte's progress, and may it be a lesson to
you during life! Jacques was one Of the
numerous family Of poor carpenter in the
south ofFrance; and il a generous fairy had
sung at his cradle that he would one day
become rich banker. an influential deputy
statesman, nay, a minister who would re-
fuse to comply with the wishes Of the king,
and nobly retire into private life and that,
after fulfilling all the duties incumbent on
his several stations in life, his death would
be lamented by whole nation, and fifty
thousand mourners would follow him to the
grave-the wonderful prediction would have
been laughed at, even by fond mother
For poor young Jacques had not the advan-
tage Of going to school, and he deplored it
bitterly; while you indulge only in playing
and rambling, and do not avail yourselves
Of the opportunities which your family and
the state offer you He learned the rudi-
ments Of reading and writing, as it were, by
himself, and certainly with much difficulty
and after having been a kind Of errand-boy
in country office, and improved himself as
well as he was able, he set out for Paris,
where he arrived pennyless, and having
nothing to trust to but God and letter of
recommendation to a celebrated banker,
Monsieur Perreganx. AS soon as might
be, he went to the house of this gentleman,
and his heart beat loudly when he presen-
ted the letter, for in it were concentrated all
his hopes in life. He had not eaten any
thing that morning, and did not possess a
single sou to buy a dinner; and, besides, he
was some hundred leagues away from home,
where his old father and his poor mother
were perhaps starving with nearly dozen
children round them. Monsieur Perregaux
read the letter, without even remarking the
pale couhtenance Of the young man, and re-
turned directly the discouraging answer that
he had already five or six clerks too many
10 his office, and that there was no room for
new one. Poor jacques, on hearing this
was in the act of retiring slowly and with
out word, although in the direst conster-
nation. He bent his head in despair, and
cast down his eyes. While in this position,
he saw small pin glittering..on the floor,
and obeying instinctively, a well-taught
lesson Of his beloved mother-to care for
tie smallest things-he picked the pin up,
and put it en- the mantel- piece, saying, by
way Of apology to the banker, who had
watched the proceedings Of the young man
with curiosity, I beg pardon, Sir Mon
sleur Perregaux however, had already mott
ced the action, and recalling the Industrious
youth, exclaimed suddenly, L will make
room for you in the bank f: fetch your things
and come back directly
ut was sunbeam shining through the
dark clouds which had till then oyerhung
the path Of the needy carpenters son; and
you may imagine with what exuitation he
greeted this ray Of hope. Thus jacques La
ftte became first the clerk, then the cashier,
then the partner, and at last the successor
Of NJ. Perregaux. In this manner he be-
came very rich-thanks to pin-and made
his parents and his numerous brothers and
sisters happy. He was not merely wealthy
that is common enough-he was man
Of unsul)ied gritty; and we all know how
the Emperor Napoleon, when departing for
his grave in St. Helena, intrusted him with
six millions without guarantee or receipt;
how LATTE married his daughter to the
Prince de lie Moskowa, the eldest son of the
illustrious Marshall Ney; how he was elected
deputy, and became one Of the most infuen-
tial members of the House how he played
the foremost part in the revolution of 1880,
and was one Of the king-makers; how he
was named by Louis Philippe minister of f.
nance, and resigned his office rather than
sign an anti-popular decree how he became
poor again in the service of his country, and
how the grateful people SUBSIDIZED two mil
lions Of francs on his behalf to re-establish
his fortunes. You yourselves saw to-day
how France honored this great man to the
last. Go, then, my lads, attend diligently
your school, and learn to value even pin"
Having thus spoken, the old man went
away, and [ saw him no more. But his
story had made a deep impression on my
mind, and | became a steady, industrious
lad | attended the school Of industry, and
learned great, deal in the way of enginee-
ring. jacques LATTE was always before
my eyes os model and in passing through
the street which bears the name Of the illus
trious deputy, always felt the same sort Of
religious emotion as when walked past a
church. Some inventions / made met with
appreciation; and now am what you see
me-a not unimportant member of society,
on the road to wealth and distinction.
A HARD CHR1 srIAN.-Captain Saltwater
tells yarn about a jolly Jack Tar, after
the following style: While standing at
tho corner Of street on very cold sleety
morning q sailor about ''half seas over
came along, and getting to very slippery