The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-07-22
How to Get Rich.
BEAVER VALLEY, July 9, 1865

| To the Editors Of The AUeghGn:dn:
We do not pretend to be able to lay
down any particular method by which one
may become rich, the highest ambition of
almost every one of us; but there are a
few fundamental principles which must be
/ followed by any one who strives to ac-
Guire wealth by honest means, and which,
, ii strictly adhered to, viii, in the majority
of cases, enable him to realize, if not abso-
| lutte wealth, what is, perhaps, in the long
run. productive of more general happiness
and ample competence. Before we pro-
ceed to notice these principles, we will
say that there is no more generally mista-
ken theory, in our opinion, than to sup
pose that in riches lies happiness, and
] being poor that one must necessarily be
miserable. The moderately poor have at
their command, and are able to enjoy
fully as we'll as the rich all the blessings
of youth while it lasts, health, appetite,
| good looks, cheerfulness, and wisdom
] With the growth of riches, mans heart
/ too often contracts and becomes selfish,
and his tastes and abilities narrowed. To
/ pass through life contented with moder-
ate competence sufficient for our wants
and comfort, to be rich IN health, III
cheerfulEess, in disposition, in family and
friends, and to do all the good that we
can in the sphere Of life in which our lot
has been cast, is indeed to be truly rich,
and not to be despised.
We are often told that fortune is a
tickle dame that she distributes her fl-
vors without any discrimination, and that
wealth is the result OF mere accident or
of favorable circumstances, without the
exercise Of any skill or foresight. But
still there are solAe principles without
which she can never be wooed and won,
and by the help Of which there are but few
instances in which we cannot be success
ful in at least attaining moderate degree
Of wealth. First and foremost among
these are pre- eminent honesty and the
strictest integrity in all our dealings and
transactions with our fellow men. With
out these, every other qualification which
5 we may possess, all our activity, inudstry,
talent must and viii mcst assuredly prove
unavailing. Under no plea whatever
should we permit ourselves to deyate,
even in the most indirect manner, from
the rigid path Of honor and upright
dealing, for VI hen cnce the faintest suspi-
cion has fallen on our character In this
one respect, al confidence ii us is lost
t and is hardly ever to be regaincd Pune.
tuality and method are t1o other most
essential elements OF success in life
punctuality In the exact and faithful full
r tilmcnt OF engagements aud promises, and
method and dispatch in the management
and transaction Of cur business. W.
have already mentioned industry, and it i
hardly necessary to dilate upon the I'm
y portance OF this principle, as upon ii
hinges all the others. If we are indus
trious, perseyering, constant, regular, and
systematic, applying ourselves daily te
our business, allowing nothing to distract
our attention from our duties, we cannot
but attain success IN our undertakings
: provided, Of course, that we are not def
ciont i'll the other principles which we
have mentioned. 1t must lead US &c
: wealth, as idleness and inattention tt
business always lead to poverty.
The foregoing are essentially the mar
princil lee which afford the true secret O
success il attaining wealth But there
.. are still others, which, although perhap,
not 50 absolutely necessary towards the
e mere art of money-making, still in The
: mind Of every one who follows the pur
suits of wealth, not for the sake of the
money itself but for what it brings witt
it, should ever be acted up to. FrugalitJ
lii our departments, temperate and mod
> crate habits, and a generous and selfde
nying disposition, are all equally to bt
desired. Unless we are frugal and Prac
tice economy, we can never hope to be
come rich and most Of the poverty whicl
+. we sec all around US may be traced bach
to the want of this very virtue.
We need hardly say anything as to the
Importance of agreeable AMI gentlemanly
:. manners, for we all know how much they
: alone contribute to mans success il
> life, and how much the want of them de
: tracts from all other qualifications which
Z he may possess.
1 We hope the few remarks we have mad,
e will at least show the leading principle
by which man must be guida,, and W
> to which he must act, when once begun
! and persevered in, and success will as as
f suredly attend his efforts to grow rich b,
5 honest means, and not alone to grow rich
! but to retain the possession of his wealth
: Yours, &C., j. A. @.
------Es
Tommy, my son, fetch in a stick o
L i