Produced by Internet Archive Children's Library, Joshua Hutchinson,
S.R.Ellison and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
BOSTON:
L.P. CROWN & CO., 61 CORNHILL.
1852.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States inand for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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 naturalriches—the wealth that meets the eye and charms the imagination—howmany 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 it—not 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,to