T. S. (Timothy Shay) Arthur - True Riches: Or, Wealth Without Wings

The original title chosen for this book was "Riches without Wings;"but the author becoming aware, before giving it a permanent form, thata volume bearing a similar title had appeared some years ago, of whicha new edition was about to be issued, thought it best to substitutetherefor, "True Riches; or, Wealth without Wings," which, in fact,expresses more accurately the character and scope of his story.

The lessons herein taught are such as cannot be learned too early, nordwelt on too long or too often, by those who are engaged in theactive and all-absorbing duties of life. In the struggle for naturalrichesthe wealth that meets the eye and charms the imaginationhowmany forget that true riches can only be laid up in the heart; andthat, without these true riches, which have no wings, gold, the godof this world, cannot bestow a single blessing! To give this trutha varied charm for young and old, the author has made of it a newpresentation, and, in so doing, sought to invest it with all thewinning attractions in his power to bestow.

To parents who regard the best interests of their children, and toyoung men and women just stepping upon the world's broad stage ofaction, we offer our book, in the confident belief that it containsvital principles, which, if laid up in the mind, will, like good seedin good ground, produce an after-harvest, in the garnering of whichthere will be great joy.

"A fair day's business. A very fair day's business," said LeonardJasper, as he closed a small account-book, over which he had beenporing, pencil in hand, for some ten minutes. The tone in which hespoke expressed more than ordinary gratification.

"To what do the sales amount?" asked a young man, clerk to the dealer,approaching his principal as he spoke.

"To just two hundred dollars, Edward. It's the best day we've had fora month."

"The best, in more than one sense," remarked the young man, with ameaning expression.

"You're right there, too," said Jasper, with animation, rubbing hishands together as he spoke, in the manner of one who is particularlywell pleased with himself. "I made two or three trades that toldlargely on the sunny side of profit and loss account."

"True enough. Though I've been afraid, ever since you sold that pieceof velvet to Harland's wife, that you cut rather deeper than wasprudent."

"Not a bit of itnot a bit of it! Had I asked her three dollars ayard, she would have wanted it for two. So I said six, to begin with,expecting to fall extensively; and, to put a good face on the matter,told her that it cost within a fraction of what I asked to make theimportationremarking, at the same time, that the goods were toorich in quality to bear a profit, and were only kept as a matter ofaccommodation to certain customers."

"And she bought at five?"

"Yes; thinking she had obtained the velvet at seventy-five cents ayard less than its cost. Generous customer, truly!"

"While you, in reality, made two dollars and a half on every yard shebought."

"Precisely that sum."

"She had six yards."

"Yes; out of which we made a clear profit of fifteen dollars. Thatwill do, I'm thinking. Operations like this count up fast."

"Very fast. But, Mr. Jasper"

"But what, Edward?"

"Is it altogether prudent to multiply operations of this character?Won't it make for you a bad reputation, and thus diminish, instead ofincreasing, your custom?"

"I fear nothing of the kind. One-half the people are not satisfiedunless you cheat them. I've handled the yardstick, off and on, for thelast fifteen or twenty years, and I think my observation during thattime is worth something. It tells me thisthat a bold face, a smoothtongue, and an easy conscience are worth more in our business thanany other qualities. With these you may do as you list. They tell farbetter than all the 'one-price' and fair-dealing professions, in whichpeople have little faith. In fact, the mass will overreach if theycan, and therefore regard these 'honest' assumptions with suspicion."

The young man, Edward Claire, did not make a reply for nearly aminute. Something in the words of Mr. Jasper had fixed his thought,and left him, for a brief space of time, absorbed in his ownreflections.

Lifting, at length, his eyes, which had been resting on the floor, hesaid

"Our profit on to-day's sales must reach very nearly fifty dollars."

"Just that sum, if I have made a right estimate," replied Jasper; "andthat is what I call a fair day's business."

While he was yet speaking, a lad entered the store, and laid upon thecounter a small sealed package, bearing the superscription, "LeonardJasper, Esq." The merchant cut the red tape with which it was tied,broke the seal, and opening the package, took therefrom severalpapers, over which he ran his eyes hurriedly; his clerk, as he did so,turning away.

"What's this?" muttered Jasper to himself, not at first clearlycomprehending the nature of the business to which the communicationrelated. "Executor! To what? Oh! ah! Estate of Ruben Elder. Humph!What possessed him to trouble me with this business? I've no time toplay executor to an estate, the whole proceeds of which would hardlyfill my trousers' pocket. He was a thriftless fellow at best, andnever could more than keep his head out of water. His debts willswallow up every thing, of course, saving my commissions, which Iwould gladly throw in to be rid of this business."

With this, Jasper tossed the papers into his desk, and, taking up hishat, said to his clerk"You may shut the store, Edward. Before youleave, see that every thing is made safe."

The merchant than retired, and wended his way homeward.

Edward Claire seemed in no hurry to follow this example. His firstact was to close the window-shutters and doorturning the key in thelatter, and remaining inside.

Entirely alone, and hidden from observation, the young man seatedhimself, and let his thoughts, which seemed to be active on somesubject, take their own way. He was soon entirely absorbed.Whatever were his thoughts, one thing would have been apparent toan observerthey did not run in a quiet stream. Something disturbedtheir current, for his brow was knit, his compressed lips had adisturbed motion, and his hands moved about at times uneasily. Atlength he arose, not hurriedly, but with a deliberate motion, threwhis arms behind him, and, bending forward, with his eyes cast down,paced the length of the store two or three times, backward andforward, slowly.

"Fifty dollars profit in one day," he at length said, half audibly."That will do, certainly. I'd be contented with a tenth part of thesum. He's bound to get rich; that's plain. Fifty dollars in a singleday! Leonard Jasper, you're a shrewd one. I shall have to lay asidesome of my old-fashioned squeamishness, and take a few lessons from soaccomplished a teacher. But, he's a downright cheat!"