The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-12
CONTENTMENT BETTER THAN
WEALTH.

"Helen, don't you wish you were that little CIR
riding in the grand carriage!" 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 see her beautiful pink
bonnet, and her lovely white parasoR and, oh
dear, what splendid silk dress Helen she
must be very happy. If | had a frock just like
that, and could ride in carriage how happy |
should be!'
Helen and Sarah Brown were the children, of a
laborlOus mechanic ir>humble, though very COM
Portable, circumstances.
Mrs Brown, who working in the back part
of the room, overheard Sarah's remarks and to
in the bud what might 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, am very happy indeed" re-
piled Sarah, somewhat surprised by her mothers
question.
"And yet my child, did I not hear you wishing
for articles, that you might be happy?'
Sarah blushed, as she replied:
81 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 l will tell you fable
OF a rich man-and try, my children, to take note
of its moral
"There lived rich man at the court of King
Herod. He was lord chamberlain, and clothed
himself in purple and fine linen, and lived in very
great magnifcence.
"There came to him, from far distant country,
friend of his youth, who had been his compan-
ion when he was simple country boy, whom he
had not seen for many years.
"To do honor to his friend, the chamberlain
made sumptous feast, and invited all his great
acquaintances. There stood upon the table IA va
riety of costly decacies, in gold and silver dishes
and costly vases with perfumes and ointments, to-
gether 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 at his right hand.
And they ate and drank, and were satisfied.
"Then the stranger addressed the chamberlain
of the King: ''Such splendor and magnifcence as
your house contains is not to be found in my coun-
try, far or wide," And he spoke highly of his
state and pronounced him the happest of men.
"But the rich man. the kings chamberlain,
selected an apple from golden dish. The apple
large and beautiful; its color was yellow,
streaked with red. And he took the apple and
said: "This apple has rested on gold and its form
is very beautiful So he reached it to the strang-
err the friend of his youth.
''The friend cut the apple, and behold in its
middle acas a acorm. Then the stranger cast his
eyes the chamberlain; but the lord chamberlain
looked upon the ground and sighed sOrrowfully.
There a at the heart Of all his grandeur
Only children, beware Of cOvetousness; for, as
Christ Jesus has said: "a mans life CONSISTENT
not in the abundance Of the things which he pos
sesseth." \ contented heart, quiet conscience,
soul at peace with God-these the true
sources of happiness.
"And, new, my daughter, want you to carry
this little proverb in your heart: Contentnnent is
better than wealth.