St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-12-06
The Way to Wealth.

never read it but in the lapse OF years
it was lost sight of. Its appearance now
will be welcomed by all who will take
the time to read it, and the moral in
culcated is Just as good to-day as it was
one hundred years ago:
courteous reader, have heard, that
nothing gives an author so great pleas
ure as to find his works quoted by others.
Judge, then, how | must have been
gratitied by an incident am going to
relate to you. stopped my horse late
ly, where great number of people were
collected at an auction of merchants
goods. The hour of the sale not being
come, they We're conversing on the bad"
ness of the times and one of the COM
pany called to plain, clean, old man.
with white locks, "pray. father Abra-
ham, what think You of the time! Will
not thoss heavy taxes quite ruin the
country? How shall we ever be able to
pay them2 What would you advise
to9' Father Abraham stood up and re-
piled, eff you would have my advice, l
will give it to- you in short for arod TO
the rise is enough, as poor Richard says
They Joined in desiring him to speak
his mind, and gathering round him, he
proceeded as follows: Friend said
he, "the taxes are indeed very heavy,
and, il those laid on by the government
were the only ones We had to pay, we
might more easily discharge them but
| we have many others, and much more
grievous to some of us. We are taxed
twice as much by our idleness, three
times as much by our pride, and four
times as much by our folly; and from
these taxes tue commissioners cannot
ease or deliver us, by allowing an abate-
1 ment. However, let us hearken to good
advice, and something may be done TOR
us. God helps them that help Themselves,
as poor Richard says
First, it would be thought hard
government that should tax its people
one tenth part Of their time, to be em-
ploycd in its service but idleness taxes
many of us much more: Slotb, by
bringing on diseases, absolutely short
ems life.
Sloth, ike rust, consumes faster than
labor ,rears ukile the used key is alsroys
bright, as poor Richard says. But dost
thou lore life, then do not sQuander time,
for that is the stuff life is made OF, as
poor Richard says.
How rnuah moro than ia naraSs1Jy do
we spend in sleep, forgetting that, the
sleeping for catches no poultry, and that
there will be sleeping enough in the
grave, as poor Richard says.
If time be Of all things the most pre-
cious, arasting time must be, as poor Rich
ard says, the greatest prodigality; since,
as he elsewhere tells us, lost time>is uer-
! er found again and lrhat we call time
enough, Arrays prores little enough.
Let US then up and be doing, and
doing to the purpose; so by diligence
shall we do more with less perplexity.
Sloth makes all things difficult, but
industry all easy and he that risetll
late must trot all day, and shall scarce
overtake his business at night; while
lazness travels 50 slowly, that poverty
soon overtakes him. Drive thy bust
ness, let not that drive thee; and, early
to bed and early to rise, makes man
} healthy, wealthy and wise, as poor
Richard says.
So what signifies wishing and hoping
for better times? We may make these
times better, if we bestir ourselves.
Industry need not wish, and he thai
lives upon hopes will die fasting
There are no gains without pains; then
> help, hands, for have no lands; or, il
| have, they are smaltly taxed.
He that hath a trade, hath an estate
and be that hath calling, hath an office
of profit and honor, as poor Richard says
butthen the trade must be worked at
and the calling followed, or neither thu
estate nor the Office will enable us t,
,, pay our taxes.
If we are industrious, we shall neve
: starye; for, at the workingman's hous'
hunger looks in, but dares not enter
Nor will the bailiff, or, the constable
enter; for, industry pays debts, whil
l despair increaseth them. What though
: you have found NO treasure, nor has an.
rich relation left you legacy, diligence
) is the mother of good luck, and Coz
i, gives all things to industry. Then
plough deep while sluggards sleep, ant
q you shall have corn to sell and to keep
8 Work while it is called to-day, for yo1
] know not how much you may be hin
= dered tomorrow.
+ One to-day is worth two to-morrows
n as poor Richard says; and further
a never leave that till tomorrow, whicl
. you can do to-day.
r If you were servant, would you no
be ashamed that good master shoul'
catch you idleq Are you then your owl
master? Be ashamed to catch yoursel
!, idle, when there is 80 much to be dom
: for yourself, your family, your country
i and your King. Handle your tool
O without mittens. Remember, that, tn
: cat in gloves catches no mice, as poo
Richard says.
. 1t is true there is much to be done
: and perhaps you are weak handed bu
d stick to it steadily, and you will sc
= great effects; for, constant dropping
3 wears away stones; and, by diligenc
j. and patience the mouse ate in tw
g pieces the cable and, little strokes fel