FORTUNES GO BEGGING. 329 



And if it were true that he did not receive as many dollars, ho 

 has what is far better, a healthful and vigorous constitution, a 

 mind not bound down with the cares and perplexities of the 

 business man, who is on a continual stretch of anxiety lest his 

 goods and wares should decline while on his hands, or lest some 

 of his customers should not be prompt in their payments. The 

 farmer lives so far within himself, that he is subject to few of 

 these perplexities. The politician is dependant upon the votes 

 of the people. And if he secures an office, there comes more 

 of responsibility than was anticipated, and less of real enjoyment. 



I have said that we often hear the saying " farming don't pay." 

 Do we hear it said mercantile business don't pay ? And yet 

 how small a per cent, of merchants really succeed in their busi- 

 ness. Still the business is carried on, and some grow vastly 

 rich. Stewart of New York commenced by dressing and selling 

 pieces of cloth used as samples, for which he obtained a profit, 

 and as his means increased he increased his business, and by 

 his skill, indomitable energy and perseverance has acquired an 

 immense fortune. Fisk, from driving a peddler's wagon from 

 house to house to display and sell his goods, went to stock 

 speculations, and has the reputation of possessing a large for- 

 tune. But is the world richer or better for it ? Vanderbilt, 

 who earned his first ten dollars by rowing a boat to carry a man 

 to a certain place, and returning him safely when the elements 

 were in such commotion that few would risk their lives in the 

 undertaking, showed such skill, such courage and perseverance, 

 that he was employed to run a steamer, and has acquired a 

 princely fortune. Such cases, though few, seems to dazzle the 

 eyes of young men about to start in life, while thousands of 

 others where the process is slow, but much more sure, are passed 

 by unnoticed. 



Said nenry Ward Beecher, " Many young men get the idea 

 that in the ciljy fortunes go around begging persons to take 

 them." He says also, " It would promote the morals of the 

 nation if the city were to vomit out one-third of its young 

 population." I have said the population of Massachusetts is 

 increasing, and this increase is mainly in the cities and large 

 towns. With this increase of population, there is an increased 

 demand for the products of the farm, which must be supplied 



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