PREFACE. 



In every business, trade and profession, 

 we see some men, who, with no better 

 chances than their neighbors, somehow 

 thrive and grow rich ; while others fail. 

 The unfortunate ones, unconscious of the 

 real causes of their disappointment, think 

 themselves the victims of malign influ- 

 ences, and bewail their bad luck. The 

 sober sense of the world, however, judging 

 impartially in the case, decides that the 

 successful man has conquered his fortune 

 by being industrious, economical, observ- 

 ing ; by a straight forward and persistent 



