The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-17
HOW TO BECOME RICH.
A HindOO Merchant who Achieved
Wealth by Picking Up Dead

Ny AH DeAO
Mouse.
Once upon time several rich Hindoo
merchants were Willing away the time
talking over their affairs. All except one
were of the opinion that in business no
one could gather wealth who had not a
solid capital TO begin with. Then he who
held differently and who was the richest
of them all spoke up and said:
"Of truth it is very easy to acquire a
great fortune when one has but to add
treasure TO treasure, As for me, I earn
ed my riches without so much as gro8t
to begin upon. Listen, and l will tell you
my story.
MY father died before was born He
had been very rich, but my mother was
only poor widow without support or
protection. All the wealth that her hus-
band had left her was taken from her by
greedy relatives, and as she even feared
for her life she sought refuge at the home
of a friend of my dead father.
There it was that 1 was brought into
this world. My dear mother, of whom Ia
ter l became the sole support, was then
obliged TO gain her livelihood as best she
could. She had to work very hard for very
small wages. Notwithstanding she man
aged to save enough from her scanly can
ings to pay for master who taught me to
write and to figure
ION the day when 1 completed these
humble studies my mother called me 20
her and said: AS your father was mer-
chant before you so also should you be
merchant. There is in our town rich
banker who is called Wisakhla. This gen.
erous man makes a practice of lending
capital to the sons of merchants who have
lost their own means. Go and pray him
10 open his purse unto you as he has done
unto Others.
mo sooner said than done. But when
l entered the private Office of the banker
he was in a very bad humor. 1 found him
ecolding roundly young man. the son oil
a merchant, who stood before him with
bowed head.
." DO you see that dead mouse on the
floor there?" he exclaimed angrily TO him.
There is a piece of merchandise out OF
which smart man might make lot
tune. AS for you, good-for-nothing, L
have already lent you an ample sum- Not
only have you failed to add TO your caDl-
tai, but by your folly you have squan,
dered it ALL" At these words l advanced
toward the banker and spoke:
" Allow me- said 1, to borrow from
you the piece of merchandise of when
you spoke So saying, l picked up the
mouse and went my way. Notwithstand-
Ing his anger, the good man was so struck
with my simplicity that he could not re-
strain smile.
In the street I came across a grocer
standing in the doorway of his shop strok-
ing a beautiful cat. 1 offered him my
mouse. He accepted it and in exchange
gave me few handfuls of peas. l car
rled them home, roasted them and mace
my way to the outskirts of the town, tax
ing care to bring with me water jar NIL
ed to the brim with fresh cold water. Ar
irving at a cross road, 1 seated myself IN
the shade of a great tree l was scarce.
ly settled when along came a party OF
wood cutters, their shoulders bent beneath
their loads and their faces tanned by the
sun. l arose and bowling humbly before
them set forth my peas and Refreshing
drink. AS reward each made me
present of two bundles of fagots which
carried TO market. 1 sold them, and win
the money made in this way l bought
some more peas, a larger quantity tnlS
time, and | repeated my course OF tne
previous day. Soon l was able to set asiue
the greater part of my faggots, and not
withstanding by selling the remainder
quickly earned so much money that az
last could buy UP all the stock OF tne
wood cutters. l continued selling some
and saving some until l had collected
considerable quantity.
The rainy season was approaching anu
in due course the rain fell in torrents anu
dark clouds obscured the SKY. As tor
several weeks it did not cease gaining me
roads leading to the woods were soon qulle
impossible. The weather, too, was very
cold and soon there was a great scarcis
OF hrewood, which in consequence rose J."
price. This was the time to sell my stocA.
/ made a neat profit. | rented a stan d.
the market and stored it with diferens
kinds of merchandise. By prudence anu
forethought l succeeded in my enterprise.
My trade extended from day to day 80
that after a while ] was able to reuIe
with competence, respected by all NY
fellow citizens. -,
Then l ordered from a skilled goldsinl,m
a golden mouse which / sent TO san
hila, the banker from whom / had w
rowed my tirst capital. The good Ine ,h
perceiving that notwithstanding my you,ati
! was well versed in business anars a.
that l had turned to good account sgstle
thing which even he had reckoned 81 ne ,s
value, gave me his daughter In MARI S,r,
This then, Is the history OF my al.
tune. which proves that money 81 nos si.
ways essential to amass wealth IN w
ness"