Newbern weekly progress., 1861-03-05
NUMBER 81.

CONFINEMENT BETTER THAN WEALTH.
'Helen, don't you wish you were that little
girl riding in the grand carriage 20 said little
Sarah Brown to her sis, as they sat by an open
window, one pleasant summers afternoon,
watching the passers-by.
''Why, Sarah ~ asked Helen.
'Why, Helen don't you she beautiful pink
bonnet, and her lovely white paraso and, oh!
dear, what q splended silk dress Helen she
must be very happy. If | had froch just
like that, and could ride in carriage, how hap
py I should bel"
Helen and Sarah Brown were the children
of laborious mechanic humble, though in very
comfortable circumstances:
s Mrs. Brown who was working in the back
part of the room, overheard Sarah's remarks,
and to correct in the bud what mi ght in the end
become covetous disposition, called the two
children to her side.
''Sarah, my daughter, are you not happy ?"
said the mother.
"Oh yes. mamma, I am very happy indeed"
replied Sarah, somewhat surprised by her
mothers question.
''And yet my child, did l not hear you
wishing for articles, that you might be hap
py"
Sarah blushed as she replied:
Il was only thinking, mamma, that rich
people, who can have everything in the world
that they want, must be very happy"
'Listen to me, Sarah, and | will tell you a
ffble of rich man-and try, my children, to
take note of its moral.
There lived rich man at the court Cf King
Herod He was lord chamberlain, and clothed
himself in purple and fine linen and lived in
very great magnificence.
"There came to him, from a far distant
country, friend of his youth, who had been
his companion when he was simple country
| boy, whom he had not seen for many years.
| ITO do honor to his friend, the chamber.
lain made sumptuous feast, and invited al
his great acquaintances. There stood upon
the table a variety of costly decacies, in gold
and silver dishes and costly vases with per-
fumes and ointments together with wine OF
rarest vintage.
"And the rich man sat at the head of the
table and was hospitable to ALL and his friend
who had come from distant country, sat al
his right hand And they ate and drank, and
were satisfied.
''Then the stranger addressed the chamber
lain of the King: such splendor and mag
nihcence as your house contains, is not to be
found in my country, far or wider And he
spoke highly of his state, and pronounced him
the happiest of men.
But the rich man, the kings chamberlain
selected an apple from golden dish. The ap
pie was large and beautiful it's color was yel-
low, streaked with red And he took the ap
pie and said; This apple has rested on gold
and its form is very beautiful! ~ So he reach
ed it to the stranger, the friend Of his youth,
"The friend cut the apple, and behold in us
| middle pas q acogma. Then the stranger cas-
his eyes on the chamberlain; but the lore
chamberlain looked upon the ground and sigh
ed sorrowfully. There was worm at the
heart of all his grandeur.
my children, beware of covetousness, for
as Christ Jesus has said "a mans life consist
eth not in the abundance of the things which
he possesseth." A contented heart quiet
conscience, soul at peace with Grd-these arr
the true sources Of happiness.
'And, now, my daughter, | want you to car
ry this little proverb in your heart Content
ment is better than wealth." }"