Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-03-17
A TRADE A FORTUNE.

I
and happiness of their children, they
would choose the virtuous mechanic,
farmer or honest trader, as companions
or helpmates, instead of the rich, who,
aside from their income have no means
of subsistence. How often does this
question arise, and from parents, in
choosing companions and suitors for their
daughter, "Is he rich p If the
daughter answers "yes, he is rich, he is
a gentleman, neat in his dress, and can
live without work." the parents are
pleased Not many years ago Polish
lady, of plebeian birth, of both exceed
ing beauty and accomplishments, won
the affections of a young nobleman, who
having her consent, solicited her from
her father in marriage, and was refused.
We may easily imagine the astonishment
Of the nobleman.
Gam l not" said he, "of sufficient
rank to aspire to the hand of your
daughter" ;"
"You are undoubtedly the best blood
of Poland" replied the father.
And my fortune and reputation"
continued the young nobleman, care
they not"
"Your estate is magnificent, replied
the father, and your conduct irreproach-
able"
Then having your daughters con-
sens. should [ expect refusal - said
the nobleman.
"This, sir,' replied the father, is
my only child, and her hadpiness the
chief concern of my life. All the
possessions of fortune are precarious
what fortune gives, at her caprice she
takes away. l see no security of in
dependence and comfortable living but
one in word, l am resolved that no one
shall be the husband of my daughter
who is not at the same time master Of
trade.
The nobIeman bowed and retired
silently. A year or two afterwards the
father was sitting in the door, and saw
approaching the house, wagons laden
with b. skets, and at the head of the
eavalcade person tn the dress of bas-
ket maker. And who do you suppose
it was The former suiter of his daugh-
ter; the nobleman had turned basket
maker. He was now master If a trade,
and brought the wares made by his own
hands for ins ection, and a certificate
from his employer, in testimony of his
skill The condition being fulfilled, no
further obstacle was opposed to the mar
riage.
But the story is not yet done. The
revolution came-fortunes were plum
dered, and lords were scattered as chaff
before the four winds of heaven. Kings
became beggars-some of them teach
ers; but the noble Pole supported his
wife and her father in the intirmities of
age by his basket making industry.
A BEAUTIFUL What a
beautiful figure of life is the following,
How many blooming, innocent hearts in
the morning of existence become strick-
en- with care and adversely, and droop
and die in the mid day of life. Happy
indeed are they whom our Heavenly
Father gathers unto himself ere the
blight of sin shall have soiled the innate
purity of their hearts. But here is the
figure
Early in the morning maiden went
into the garden to gather herself fine
rose for wreath They stood there in
beautiful clusters of closed buds, watt
ing odor from their cpps, which were
full of the morning dew. 81 will not
pluck you yet" said the maiden, " the
sun shall open you first, when you shall
bloom brighter and give out stronger
scent" She came at midday and saw
The rose fretted by the worm, wilted by
the sun, faded and withering. The
maiden wept over her folly, aud the
next morning gathered her wreath early.
God calls his loveliest children out of
the world before the heat of the sun
withers them. The paradise Of chill
dren is high degree of glory, the most
upright man cannot set his foot in it,
for his soul has already been spotted.
RESPECT OLD AGE.-Bow low the
head, my young friend. Do reverence
to the old man.
He was once young and fair like you;
but vicissitudes of life have silvered the
hair, and changed the round, merry
face to the worn vissage before you.
Once that heart beat with incidents
co-equal to any you have ever felt; but
his aspirations have been crushed by
disappointment, as yours may possibly
be.
Once that form moved proudly through
the gay scenes of life; now the hand of
Time that withers the flowers OF yestef-
day has warped the figure and destroyed
the noble carriage.
Once, at your age, he possessed the
thoughts that pass through your brain;
now wishing to accomplish deeds worthy
of nook in fame anon imagining life
dream, that the sooner awoke from the
better The time to awake is very near
at hand, yet his eye kindles at noble
deeds of daring, and the hand makes a
frmer grasp of the staff.
Bow low the head, my young friend,
as you in your old age, would be reyer-
enoed.