The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1860-10-18
Alisrrllanrullsr Arahing.
Too Much Money.

sion, =" never saw but one man in my
life who acknowledged he had quite MS
much money as he knew how to dispose
off, l. lad called at his house ono day,
when gentleman present urged him TO
scheme from WHICH he might realize
a large profit. YOU are right" said
he, las regards the. probable success of
the speculation, but I shall not embark
in 1t; have too much money now" |
This very uncommon remark struck ME |
very forcibly and after the gentleman |
had RETIRED asked Mr.. p, 20 explain |
Yes" said lie, in reply, Il would not
cross the street to gain thousands; |
should he a happier man if my income
were less. / am old, and in a year or
two whatever possess will avail me
nought. My daughters are dead, and |
have three sons upon whom | look with
fathers pride. My own education
had been neglected my fortune was
gained by honest labor and careful econ
omv | had no time. for study. but l
resolved that my sons should have eve:
ry advantage. Each had the opportu.
nifty Of gaining a fine classical educa.
ton, and then gave them the choice of
profession. The eldest would be
physician The second chose the law
The third resolved to follow my foot
stoops as a merchant. o.|
This was very well. I was proud
of my sons, and hoped that one day
might see them distinguished, or at
least useful to their feilow-men. had
spared no expense in their training
they had never wanted money, for
gave each liberal allowance. Never
had men fairer prospects Of becoming
.honored and respected but look at the
result. The physician has no patients;
lawyer has not single client, and the
merchant is above visiting his counting
house. In vain urge them TO De more
industrious. What is the reply -
There is no use in it, father; we never
shall want for money; we know you
have enough for us all So look at my
disappointment. Instead Of being ac-
live, energetic members of society, my
sons are bat i,llcrs-men Of fashion and
display. True, they have few vices
perhaps not so many as their associates
they have never done anything to bring
disgrace upon my name; but had ex.
pected them to add to the little rcputa-
lion l may have gained. 1t is not the
money | care for; as my sor saws. |
have enough for all. But let the ply
sician attend the poor, and the lawyer
see that justice is done to those who
have been paving the enormous fees
now required by the members Of the
bar. The merchant may not need the
reward Of his rabors, but there are a
thousand benevolent institutions to the
support OF which it would he a pleas.
ure for me to see him contribute. They
would at least be useful, each in his
vocation, TO those around them; now
selfish amusement is their only aim,
This is the burden upon my heart, and
| this is the reason Of the remark you
listened to. Had they been obliged to
Struggle against difficulties to gain their.
professions, and were they now depend
ent on their own exertions for. support,
my sons would have gained honor for
themselves and me-"
| This is the experience Of many q
wealthy parent, though all do not
grieve at the result. 1t has almost
passed into a proverb, that Nolliing
can be expected of rich mems sons :"
and iE looking about us at the dis;in
guished men Of our own day, how few
do we find who have been nursed into
greatness! y! ,.' *-. ...s 'f
| The farmers son studies in intervals
snatched from active labor; he gains
the rudincnts Of n thorough etlhcalion
from wel.thumbed books, which he
cons over by the floating flame OF
winters fire, or the misty light Of the
gray dawn. His task is rendered dou.
bly hard, inasmuch as he is without An
instructor. and must solve the most diff
fcult problems and unravel the most
intricate truths, simply by lis own per,
seyering efforts. At length his task is
in measure accomplished the first
step is gained but a new difficulty
arises. lie is Without means, and must
serve long and iiresome apprentice
ship as teacher, clerk, or often the
two combined, ere he can save enough
J to enter college. Three or four years
of close study, with tho most risid econ
omy, Lriugs him TO the threshold Of ac-
I.iive life, and should he choose a profes.
sion, tho, samo scene must be in part
enacted ere his object is accomplished.
! Max we'll the contrast. Which
d man, think you, is best fitted 10 sue
ceed 2 Surely not he who has been
cradled in luxury, and bribed along the
path Of knowledge ! No, rather would
we trust the self,made man, who has al.
ready Ger mastered difficulties under
which one less resolved would have fal
lon and though the one may he favor
ed by position, connections, and amplG
means, it is more probable that the 9th
er will look back upon him whom Ia.
4 has Gar outslripped in the rice of life
4 lsy III fMerehaafs Magazine.
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